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BOARD OF ACIKICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



under the direction of Prof. C. H. Fernald. Particular at- 

 tention has been given to the investigation of various forms 

 of poison, with a view to discovering an insecticide that will 

 be more effectual in destroying the gypsy moth caterpillars 

 than those poisons heretofore in general use. Considerable 

 success has attended these experiments, and insecticides have 

 been perfected that promise to be of great value in future 

 work. Much work has also been done in seeking for and 

 encouraging native parasites that prey upon the gypsy moth, 

 and in studying their life history, with the hope that some- 

 thing more may be found that will give effectual aid in 

 destroying the pest. 



For details of the work of the past year, reference is made 

 to the reports of Prof. C. H. Fernald, entomologist, and E. H. 

 Forbush, director, presented herewith as a part of the report 

 of the committee. 



The committee desires to put on record here its obligation 

 to Prof. C. H. Fernald and Mr. E. H. Forbush for the emi- 

 nently satisfactory manner in which they have discharged the 

 onerous duties devolving upon them in conducting the work 

 which the Legislature has entrusted to the committee of the 

 Board of Agriculture. 



The following is the financial report of the gypsy moth 

 committee of the State Board of Agriculture for the year 

 1896 : - 



Financial Ee2)ort for 1896. 



Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1896, .... 

 Emergency appropriation, April 28, 1896, 

 Appropriation June 4, 1896, . 



Expenditures 



Wm. R Sessions, expenses, 

 Augustus Pratt, expenses, 



E. W. Wood, expenses, 

 John G Avery, expenses, 



F. W. Sargent, expenses, 

 S. S. Stetson, expenses, 

 C, H. Fernald, expenses and remuneration, 



Amount carried forward. 



$39,722 09 



$1,042 53 



