1909.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 73. 47 



it was apparent that a larger area had been opened up for spray- 

 ing than could be taken care of by the sprayers before the 

 height of the caterpillar season. It was evident at the start 

 that the principal reliance in treating these woodlands must 

 be placed upon spraying operations ; therefore, four power spray- 

 ers of the lai'gest type were ordered early in the season, and 

 were delivered and in operation during the week of May 17. 

 In order to reach the most important colonies, and to make use 

 of brooks, ponds or hydrants for water supply, it was necessary 

 to construct more than 9 miles of wood roads. Many miles 

 more would have been necessary if it had not been for the fact 

 that with the high-power sprayers long lines of hose (1,000 to 

 1,500 feet) could be used with good results. At the same time, 

 locations where water could be secured were taken into con- 

 sideration. These roads ai"e of permanent value for spraying 

 operations at any time in the future. 



Owing to the lateness of the season when this work began, 

 and because of the millions of egg clusters present in the in- 

 fested woods, considerable stripping occurred in the center of 

 the worst colonies, and the insects migrated towards the borders 

 of these colonies. This of course necessitated spraying the 

 borders of the colonies, in order to destroy the migrating cater- 

 pillars. In nearly all places treated good results were obtained, 

 and these colonies can be treated the coming year at a much 

 less expense. If the necessary funds are made available the 

 coming season, the woodland in which work has been done 

 should come through the caterpillar season practically un- 

 harmed. At the close of the spraying season the force was 

 reduced to a very small number of men. Some of them were 

 engaged in putting the machines in order that they might be 

 in good condition for the next spraying season, while the others 

 were engaged in locating colonies which had become established 

 in localities where we were unable to do any scouting. The 

 development of this work showed that a second area as large 

 as that first scouted was badly infested, and that it would be 

 necessary to take up work along the same lines in this new 

 section the coming season. After the caterpillar season the 

 few men retained were engaged in creosoting egg clusters in 

 some of the worst colonies. 



