38 USEFUL BIRDS. 
by insects, and have estimated in each case the probable average yearly 
reduction in value caused by these pests. The data used are given be- 
low. TI have tried to make a conservative estimate in the case of each 
product, since, to have any value, such an estimate should fall below 
rather than above the actual amount. Even then the figures afford 
material for serious reflection on the part of agriculturists. 
3 Percentage 
Value Amount 
Propucr. of Product. Resins of Damage. 
Greenhouse products, .° a $1,749,070 10 $174,907 00 
Hothouse and hotbed products, a? 97,227 5 4,861 35 
Nursery products, . . e 8 182,906 15 27,435 90 
Wood products,. . . . . -» 2,780,314 20 556,062 80 
Cereal products, peas, iS ed “a 1,104,578 5 55,228 90 
Fruits, berries, and nuts, i.) 2,850,585 25 712,646 25 
Hay and fodder pa > ce? Cat G 12,491,090 10 1,249,109 00 
Vegetables,. . a a 6,389,533 20 1,277,906 60 
Tobacco, . . . «. . : 544,968 10 54,496 80 
Property : — 
Fruit trees, vines, etc., . we Gels 7,924,878 10 792,487 80 
Totals, ee eee | $86,115,149 - | $4,905,142 40 
Assuming the accuracy of these data, and exclusive of the damage 
wrought by insects to our woodlands, street trees, parks, etc., we have 
in round figures five million dollars as the average annual damage from 
insects to agricultural products and property in this Commonwealth. 
While the cost of insect injury is enormous, the expense 
of fighting injurious insects in the attempt to protect crops 
and trees from their ravages is proportionately great. In 
recent years Massachusetts has had, and is still having, a 
costly experience in attempting to control or suppress an 
imported insect. 
The gipsy moth (Porthetria dispar), a well-known pest 
of European countries, was introduced into Medford, Mass., 
by Mr. Leopold Trouvelot, in 1868 or 1869. Twenty years 
later the moths had increased in numbers to such an extent 
that they were, destroying the trees and shrubbery in that 
section of Medford where they were first liberated. 
They swarmed over the houses of the inhabitants, invaded 
their gardens, and became such a public nuisance that in 
1890 the Legislature appropriated fifty. thousand dollars for 
their extermination. It was learned within the next two years 
that the moths had spread over thirty towns. The State 
