FUNDS EXPENDED BY THE STATE, 1890-1900. 



29 



injury or are likely, with that precaution or oversight which prudent 

 owners are disposed to give their own interests, to be subjected to 

 that devastation which one would have the right to anticipate from 

 these reports. It appears to us that the fears of the farmers through- 

 out the State have been unnecessarily and unwarrantably aroused, 

 evidently for the purpose of securing the effect of those fears upon the 

 matter of annual appropriations * * * We do not share these 

 exaggerated fears and the prophesies of the devastation and ruin are 

 unwarranted and in the most charitable view are but the fallacies 

 of honest enthusiasts." As a result of the report of this committee 

 no further appropriation was made for carrying on the work. The 

 tools and equipment which had been used were ordered sold, and the 

 insect was allowed to develop without restriction. 



CONDITIONS IN THE INFESTED TERRITORY AT THE CLOSE OF 



THE STATE WORK. 



As before stated, the area found infested in 1891 included 30 towns 

 and cities, covering 200 square miles. Between the years 1891 and 

 1900 isolated colonies were discovered beyond these limits in Brook- 

 line, Burlington, Danvers, Georgetown, Manchester, Newton, and 

 Lincoln. These infestations were given special attention and several 

 of them were practically exterminated before the w^ork was discon- 

 tinued. Vigorous measures were enforced over the entire infested 

 territory and all of the worst colonies, including those in the wood- 

 lands, had been reduced to such an extent that the extermination of 

 the insect was practically assured. Several towns had been com- 

 pletely cleared of the insect, and the residential sections showed no 

 defoliation, and considerable search was necessary for a nonexpert to 

 secure specimens of the insect. 



FUNDS EXPENDED BY THE STATE DURING THE PROGRESS OF 



THE WORK. 



During the progress of the work the following amounts were asked 

 for and received for the suppression of the pest : 



Year. 



Amount 

 asked. 



Amount 

 appropriated. 



1890 



S50,000 

 50,000 

 75,000 

 165, 000 

 165, 000 

 200,000 

 200,000 

 200, 000 

 200, 000 

 200, 000 

 200,000 



S50, 000 



1891 



50, 000 



1892 



75,000 



1893 



100, 000 



1894 



100, 000 



1895 



150, 000 



1896 



100,000 



1897 



loO, 000 



1898 . 



200, 000 



1899 



200, 000 



1900 









Total expenditure 





1,175,000 









