SEVENTH ANNUAL EEPOPJ OF THE STATE FORESTER. 



Introductiox. 



Forestry work during the past year has received its due 

 share of interest on the part of our Massachusetts people. It is 

 a pleasure to be able to report that in general the forestry and 

 moth work have so amalgamated that not only more efficiency 

 but greater economy is the result. 



The depredations of insect pests, fungous diseases and forest 

 fires must be successfully dealt with and controlled if we are 

 to succeed in establishing and maintaining a modern forestry 

 system throughout this Commonwealth. 



From the first the forestry work has been popular, while the 

 moth work, on the other hand, has savored of unpopularity, for 

 many reasons, but chiefly because of the law requiring property 

 owners, through taxation, to defray a portion of its expense. 



It has taken time to organize and perfect the work of combat- 

 ing the gypsy and brown-tail moths. It is believed to be a con- 

 servative estimate when we say that we have increased our 

 efficiency toward moth control fully one-third during the past 

 season, and without additional appropriations. 



It has been the earnest endeavor of the State Forester, since 

 the moth work has been placed under his care, to overcome, if 

 possible, anything that has a tendency to create a misunder- 

 standing, and also to secure legislation that would meet definite 

 requirements and hence general public approval. 



The legislation enacted by the last General Court has already 

 ju'oved of great assistance, and it is hoped that our requests as 

 outlined at the conclusion of this report will meet with the 

 favorable consideration of your honorable body. 



