368 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pul). Doc. 



caterpillars were large and numerous and had destroyed 

 much of the foliage before this work was begun, the insecti- 

 cide was very effective, and the result at the close of the 

 season was that the eggs deposited, as compared with those 

 deposited the previous season, were as one (or less than one) 

 to one hundred. Most of the egg-clusters were small, con- 

 taining few eggs. This indicated a lack of vitality and 

 development in the parent moths. Similar results were ob- 

 tained in other localities. Little injury was done to the foli- 

 age by spraying, and the insecticide remained on the leaves 

 throughout the season. Our experiments with other new 

 insecticide mixtures give promise of equally good or better 

 results. 



While the spraying was in operation, improvements were 

 made in the apparatus. A relief valve was attached to each 

 pump, to regulate the pressure, thus saving labor in pump- 

 ing, as well as doing away with unnecessary strain on the 

 hose and couplings. Experiments have also been made with 

 intent to improve the effectiveness of the pumps, and to save 

 labor by using horse-power, steam power or compressed air. 

 We are now directing efforts to invent and improve machin- 

 ery by w^hich both the cost and labor of spraying large trees 

 may he reduced, and l)y which spraying may be made more 

 effective. Experiments in improving the burning machinery 

 are also in progress. 



The Fall Work. 



When the burlapping season was over and the eggs of the 

 moth were deposited, most of the force was concentrated in 

 badly infested localities, where the men were engaged in de- 

 stroying the eggs of the moth until most of the foliage had 

 fallen from the deciduous trees. Then the larger part of the 

 force was sent into the outer towns, and used in inspect- 

 ing those portions of such towns which stood most in need of 

 an examination, or in working for the extermination of the 

 moth in those colonies where the moth had not already been 

 exterminated. When the snow came most of the men were 

 again concentrated in the badly infested localities in the inner 

 towns, where everything was done that could be done with 

 the small balance of the appropriation then remaining. 



