544 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



On Jul}^ 28 His Excellency Governor Walsh, recognizing the 

 importance of adopting remedial measures to relieve conditions, 

 addressed to the State Forester the following letter: — 



Mr. F. W. Rane, State Forester, 6 Beacon Street, Boston. 



Dear Mr. Rane : — My attention has been called to the fact that 

 serious injury is being wrought in various sections of the Commonwealth 

 by the presence of the army worm, which is attacking and destroying 

 crops. 



I am of the opinion that your department, acting in co-operation with 

 the Board of Agriculture, should at once request a sufficient number of 

 your local moth superintendents to advise with farmers and others in the 

 communities affected as to the best means of suppressing this destructive 

 pest. 



I understand the State Board of Agriculture and your o\^Tl department 

 have already sent out a large number of notices containing instructions, 

 but it would seem that the situation now would require the employment 

 of active agents in the various sections. 



In view of the fact that you have no funds available for this work, I am 

 convinced that this is such an emergency that would justify my asking 

 the Executive Council to supply the sum of money necessary to direct 

 the work of suppressing this pest. 



I would also suggest that spraying apparatus owned wholly or in part 

 by the town, or jointly with the State, should be brought into use as far 

 as possible in carrying on this work. 



In conclusion, I would also ask that the gj^psy moth field agents and 

 inspectors employed by your department be given instructions to aid 

 and co-operate with the local moth superintendents in the infested areas. 

 I would suggest that the widest publicity be given to the presence of the 

 army worm in the Commonwealth, because it is a well-known fact that if 

 precautions are taken the harai and injury wrought by this pest can be 

 minimized. 



Yours very truly, 



David I. Walsh. 



Upon receipt of the above letter the State Forester caused 

 a circular letter to be sent to the mayors of cities and select- 

 men of towns, informing them of the purpose of the Forestry 

 Department to co-operate with them in suppressing the pest. 

 The form of the letter follows : — 



Gentlemen: — By request of His Excellency Governor Walsh, this 

 department will co-operate with cities and towns in suppressing the so- 

 called army worm, which in some sections of the State is causing serious 

 damage to crops. Local superintendents will be asked by this department 



