Appendix. 377 



This law scarcely appears necessary, as all our fruits may be 

 amply protected without treating them during the blossoming 

 period ; and, bees unquestionably suffer if such applications 

 are made. 



The MASSACHUSETTS legislature, on March 14, 1890, approved 

 an act whereby the Governor was " authorized to appoint a 

 commission to provide and carry into execution all possible and 

 reasonable measures to prevent the spreading, and secure the 

 extermination of the Ocneria dispar or gypsy moth, in this 

 Commonwealth." Three commissioners were appointed, and 

 work was begun April 1st. 



In 1891, by an act approved April 17th, the entire work 

 came under the control of the State Board of Agriculture. 

 Spraying with Paris green was one of the methods adopted for 

 the extermination of the insect. " "When the caterpillars ap- 

 peared, spraying was commenced with a large force of men and 

 teams equipped with hogsheads of Paris green and water, 

 pumps, hose, ladders, oil suits, etc. an extensive and expen- 

 sive outfit." l The remedy proved to be only partially success- 

 ful, however, as it was expensive, and it met the opposition of 

 property owners. The large size of many of the plants also 

 prevented proper applications from being made, so that the 

 treatments have since met with little favor. 



MICHIGAN passed a compulsory spraying law early in 1895. 

 It is entitled, " An Act to Prevent the Spreading of Bush, Vine, 

 and Fruit Tree Pests, such as Canker Worms and Other Insects, 

 and Fungous and Contagious Diseases, and to Provide for their 

 Extirpation." 



The more important features of the law are here outlined : 

 "Section 1. The people of the state of Michigan enact that 

 it shall be the duty of every owner, possessor, or occupier of 

 an orchard, nursery, or vineyard, or of land where fruit trees or 

 vines are grown, within this state, to spray with a poisonous 

 solution or disinfectant of sufficient strength to destroy such 

 injurious insects or contagious diseases, all fruit trees or vines 

 grown on such lands which may be infested with any injurious 

 insects or worms, or infected with any contagious disease known 



1 Special Report of the Mass. State Bd. of Agric. Jan. 1892, 7. 



