No. 4.] THE GYPSY MOTH. 3G5 



Field DiKECTOii's Repokt. 



To the Committee on the Gypsy Moth. 



Ge>'TLEMEN : — In the first three months of 1896, much 

 o'ood work was done during favorable weather, with the 

 limited force at my command. The eggs of the moth were 

 treated where they were found above the " snow line " on 

 trees and other objects. Dead or dying trees in infested 

 localities were cut and burned, when other work could not 

 be done to advantage. When the snow was not too deep, 

 the undergrowth was cleared from infested places in the 

 woodland. The cavities in orchard trees were filled or 

 covered. Loose bark and dead limbs were removed where 

 the necessities of the work demanded, and the infested 

 localities were put in a good defensive condition and pre- 

 pared for the summer's work, so far as this could be done by 

 the number of men that could be employed with the re- 

 mainder of the appropriation of 1895. Very little work was 

 done during storms, or when the snow lav deep upon the 

 ground. 



The delay in making the appropriation rendered impossible 

 the carrying out of our plans for the work of the season. A 

 few colonies were known in the outer to^vns where the moth 

 had been nearly exterminated. It had been planned to enter 

 these colonies as soon as the condition of the weather should 

 permit in the spring, and to clear them up and do such work 

 as would ensure the complete extermination of the moth in 

 them durinof the season of 189(5. Much of this work had to 

 be abandoned. This in some cases postponed the extermina- 

 tion of the moth there to another year. 



A\'hen it was seen that there would be great delay in 



