ALBERT R. MANN 

 LIBRARY 

 AT 

 m^ of (R^ob. a0Canb9O'^NELL UNIVERSITY 



OFFICE OP THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF THE GYPSY 

 AND BROWN -TAIL MOTHS. 



CIRCULAR NO. I. 



IMPORTANT NOTES ON THE 

 QYPSY and BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. 



JUNE 15, 1906. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The gypsy and brown-tail moths, against which the work of sup- 

 pression is directed, are European insects accidentally introduced into 

 this country. The gypsy moth was brought here in 1868 or 1869, 

 and the brown-tail moth was introduced sometime in the early nine- 

 ties. The regions in Massachusetts where these insects first gained 

 a foothold are now thoroughly infested, and that State has spent 

 millions of dollars in trying to control or suppress them. 



It is well-known history how that State fought the gypsy moth, 

 and how at the point of almost complete extermination the work was 

 discontinued and the pest was again allowed to spread until it now 

 covers a large part of the eastern half of the State. It is also common 

 knowledge what a terrible scourge both of these insects have become 

 in Massachusetts; how they have destroyed thousands of acres 

 of woodlands, of park trees and of trees in private grounds, and how 

 they have become so numerous in places as to drive the people from 

 their homes. Citizens of Rhode Island should, therefore, congratu- 



