52 THE REPORT OF THE No. 33 



Figures, or even estimates, for the total cost of this campaign in New 

 England are not available, or at least are unknown to me. I will, therefore, 

 quote figures on the expenditures in part of Massachusetts, which is the state 

 in which the pest was first located, and which has always been the leader in the 

 suppression campaign. 



Since 1905 there has been expended by the State Department charged with 

 the work of moth suppression, other state departments, cities and towns, private 

 individuals and corporations, about $15,000,000. Although now practically the 

 entire state of Massachusetts is infested to a more or less degree, I think it is 

 safe to say that 75 per cent, of the amount mentioned has been expended in 

 about one-half the area of the state, or 16,520 square miles. These figures, in 

 so far as corporation and individual are concerned, are partially estimated. 

 They do not, however, include an unestimable amount, which certainly runs 

 into the millions, for the loss due to retardation of the growth in the area where 

 defoliation by the gipsy moth is frequent, or loss due to the cutting of unmatured 

 growth, the latter being necessary in order to avoid a total loss by repeated 

 defoliation of many valuable forest areas in the infested section of New England. 



The area in which this amount has been expended, represents the greater 

 part of the commercial and industrial section of the state, and as the agriculturist, 

 for his own protection, must bear the greater part of the burden, it is rather 

 difficult to determine exactly what percentage of the cost should be ( charged to 

 each individual. 



An extermination campaign against the gipsy moth had been carried on in 

 Massachusetts a few years previous to 1900. So successful had they been in 

 their efforts to exterminate the pest, that the State Legislature considered further 

 funds for the continuance of the campaign inadvisable. The amount asked for 

 that year by the State Board of Agriculture was $200,000. Had that been 

 granted the millions expended since would, without question, not have been 

 necessary. Neither would New York State and Canada be asked to join in the 

 fight to establish a barrier zone to prevent this insect from becoming established 

 within their borders. 



Massachusetts has sincerely regretted the mistake that was made in 1900, 

 which was proven an expensive one to that state, as well as the balance of New 

 England. New York State has taken advantage of the experience of New 

 England, we hope timely advantage, to prevent the further spread of this insect. 

 We ask Canada to do likewise. 



The most important part to New York State in its attempt to establish 

 this barrier zone is the assistance we can secure from the United States and 

 Canadian Governments, and the New England States adjacent to our border. 



The United States Bureau of Entomology is now conducting an extensive 

 gipsy moth suppression campaign in northern and western New England. They 

 must be given immediate assistance. Their work is of mighty importance to 

 the adjacent territory. Work in eastern New York and southern Canada near 

 New England and New York border is equally important to them. 



The prompt attention of New York State to the alarming condition that 

 .was approaching its borders, has already resulted in locating three small gipsy 

 moth colonies. It is possible that the same, or even more serious conditions, 

 exist in Canada to-day. So far, the colonies located in New York are at present 

 easily exterminated, but if left for a few years unnoticed would mean that we 

 had allowed to become established, without an effort to prevent it, a pest which 

 would undoubtedly later necessitate, an expenditure of millions of dollars. 



