72 FIELD WORK AGAINST GIPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. 



VALUE OF THE WORK OF SUPPRESSION TO THE FARMER AND 



FRUIT GROWER. 



From what has been aheady mentioned in this report it must be 

 apparent that the strenuous effort being made to control the spread 

 of the gipsy and brown-tail moths is of great value to farmers 

 and fruit growers, especially to those who live outside the infested 

 district. Should these insects spread over the United States and 

 cover the same range which they now occupy in foreign countries 

 the cost of controlling them and the damage which would result to 

 orchards and to forest and shade trees would be enormous. The 

 more progressive citizens throughout the country who understand 

 the situation must appreciate the danger of the spread of these pests 

 and are undoubtedly in sympathy with the work which is being car- 

 ried on to restrict their increase. The residents of the infested dis- 

 trict who have seen the devastation caused understand the necessity 

 for thorough and persistent work if the trees are to be preserved. 

 (See PI. XII.) This is especially true in cities and towns where 

 most of the shade trees have a desperate struggle to maintain an 

 existence and where, owing to unfavorable conditions for tree 

 growth, it is difficult to replace trees which have died from any cause. 

 The hand methods of suppression which are being used are the best 

 that have been devised and new or more effective methods are 

 eagerly sought for by all who have a hand in managing the work. 



The introduction of parasites and natural enemies, and the study 

 and attempt to make use of the diseases of the insect which are 

 known to exist, are being pushed as rapidly as possible. Both 

 branches of the work are being conducted for the ultimate benefit 

 of the property owners in the infested district and for the protection 

 of all those who are fortunate enough to reside beyond its limits. 

 The cost of protecting trees from such well-known insects as the San 

 Jose scale, the codling moth, the elm leaf-beetle, and many other 

 insects which prey upon them in more or less restricted localities 

 throughout the United States, represents an enormous annual ex- 

 penditure of money. This cost is ultimately met by the consumer 

 of the products, and in the moth-infested district (fig. 19) by the 

 tenant who lives on the property where treatment is applied. 



SUGGESTIONS TO THE OWNERS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY IN THE 

 INFESTED DISTRICTS. 



It is evident that little progress can be made in controlling such 

 insects as the gipsy and brown-tail moths without the hearty coopera- 

 tion and intelligent interest of owners of private property in the 

 infested districts. As a rule, owners have shown great appreciation 

 of the work which is being carried on and many have expended large 

 sums of money in caring for the trees on their own property. In sec- 



