356 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pul). Doc. 



ported that there were not less than fifty square miles. 

 In several places in the woodland the trees were entirely 

 stripped of foliage and in some cases the second crop of 

 leaves was eaten. Where the trees have been stripped two 

 years in succession we lind that many of them are dying. 

 This condition was not unexpected by the committee. For- 

 mer reports have from year to year shown that the woodland 

 was the most serious menace to possible extermination and 

 that it was likely to be found infested in many places. 



The committee has each year warned the Legislature 

 that witli reduced appropriations this woodland could not 

 be attended to and must remain a breeding-place for the 

 moths, from which they would be likely to spread into 

 adjoining territory ; and that, even if the cultivated land 

 adjacent to these woodlands was cleared of the moth, it was 

 still liable to become reinfested. In no year since 1892 

 has the committee had an opportunity to carry out the plans 

 made for the work of the following season. In 1893 the 

 committee asked for $165,000; only $100,000 was appro- 

 priated. In 1894 $165,000 was asked ; $100,000 was ap- 

 propriated. In 1895 $200,000 was asked; $150,000 was 

 appropriated. In 1896 $200,000 was asked ; $100,000 was 

 appropriated. An examination of the reports will show that 

 these sums were granted after long delays, so late in the 

 season that it was impossible to use the reduced amount to 

 the best advantage. The result is that extermination can 

 now only be accomplished by the expenditure of a sum very 

 much larger than might in the opinion of the committee 

 have been sufficient had the recommendations of former re- 

 ports been followed. The committee feels certain that an 

 annual appropriation of $100,000 will not accomplish ex- 

 termination, and it is doubtful whether that sum annually 

 expended will prevent the moth from spreading into new 

 territory unless it is promptly made available, so that every 

 possible advantage may be taken of good weather and other 

 favoral)le conditions to prosecute the work economically. 



The committee is on repord in former reports as believing 

 that the only sure way to prevent the moth from spreading 

 into new country is to do everything possible in every in- 

 fested locality to completely eradicate the pest. This is 



