52 GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



plies used in the work were obtained from several dealers, and 

 the lowest responsible bidder was recommended as the source 

 from which goods of certain kinds should be purchased. This 

 year a similar course has been followed on a more extended 

 scale. During the fall months a complete list of all supplies 

 needed in the field work was prepared and widely circulated 

 among reputable dealers, who were invited to submit quotations, 

 with the understanding that the lowest responsible bidder on 

 a given kind of material should be recommended to the several 

 cities and towns. A complete list has been made up from 

 the bids so collected, printed in convenient form for the pocket, 

 and supplied to each local superintendent. We have been able 

 to secure considerable concessions on nearly all the important 

 tools and supplies used in the field work. Thus an important 

 economy has been effected, and the local superintendent has 

 continually at hand the prices of supplies and addresses of deal- 

 ers from whom such supplies can be obtained. It is urged that 

 cities and towns follow' the recommendations made in this list, 

 in order to encourage the dealers to make even greater conces- 

 sions in the future. The principal cost in the moth work is in 

 the labor item, and every possible economy secured in other 

 lines makes possible the employment of additional labor. 



The local superintendent should, when purchasing supplies, 

 keep in mind at all times the importance of buying supplies 

 in as large quantities as he can use, so that the field operations 

 may not suffer from lack of the tools at the right moment. Much 

 better prices can be obtained, also, on larger quantities. In 

 vouchers submitted to this office it has been noted in several 

 cases that axes, bush hooks, etc., have been purchased one at a 

 time. We advise that in most cities and towns at least one- 

 half dozen if not more of such articles should be bought at one 

 time, thus securing a supply on hand and enabling the local 

 superintendent to spend most of his time with his men. We 

 consider it good judgment at the opening of the several seasons 

 to have the necessary supplies on hand to work with. It will 

 be noted in the latest price list that hand carts are quoted. It 

 is hoped that those engaged in the work will appreciate the 

 saving that can be made by using one, thus doing away with 

 the use of a horse and wagon as much as possible. In several 



