1909.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 73. ay 



along which thinning of trees and cleaning operations had been 

 carried on previously were thoroughly sprayed with arsenate of 

 lead, with satisfactory results. In some sections it was neces- 

 sary to burlap the trees to the extent which our funds would 

 permit, in order to destroy the caterpillars which swarmed in 

 from adjoining infested localities. It has been our aim to 

 make protective belts where serious infestations bordered on 

 the State highway, that the roadsides might not become rein- 

 fested after being thoroughly cleaned. In the Cape Cod dis- 

 trict, where but few gypsy moths were found, spraying opera- 

 tions for the elm-leaf beetle were carried on extensively. In 

 the fall months the sprout growth which had sprung up in 

 places where the trees had been previously thinned was cut 

 over, and after the leaves had fallen, the work of clearing the 

 trees of egg clusters and nests was begun. At this writing 

 nearly all of this work has been completed, and our fall in- 

 spection shows a marked improvement along roads. jSTearly 

 all the work on the State highway has been done by the local 

 gypsy moth forces of the various cities and towns, as we are 

 assured that these trained bands of men have now reached a 

 high degree of efficiency. In some places, however, it was nec- 

 essary to employ responsible contractors for certain emergency 

 work in connection with the insect pests. In some cases, where 

 thinning operations on the State highway were necessary, we 

 have been fortunate enough to obtain the services of the United 

 States Department of Agriculture, thus receiving valuable as- 

 sistance without cost. , We feel that it will be necessary for 

 this work to be continued, as in some cases the trees along the 

 highway are liable to reinfestation from various causes, and we 

 shall keep them continually under surveillance. All told, there 

 was expended in this work up to Dec. 1, 1908, $6,584.25. Work 

 has been done on the State highway trees in the following cities 

 and towns : — 



