1893.] Entomology. 791 
For an undertaking of this character and magnitude, men were needed 
who by nature and training were fitted for the work. A perfect system. 
was imperative. An intimate acquaintance with the country must be 
acquired. An accurate knowledge of the liabits of the insects was a 
necessity, and constant vigilance an indispensable requisite. 
" When field operations were commenced, the eggs of the gypsy moth 
were the only living form of the pest. The men were carefully trained 
to recognize and destroy them, and to distinguish between their eggs 
and those of our native moths. They were taught to observe all evi- 
dences of the existence of the gypsy moth, and were requested to secure 
all information possible in regard to its habits, Each inspector was 
instructed to make out a daily written report of the work done by him- 
self and his men, and to include in this report his observations on the 
habits of the insect. Many valuable facts were thus recorded during 
the season. As the force was organized, each inspector was given a 
squad of men, and a section, indieated by a map, was allotted him, 
with instructions to inspect it, and destroy the eggs therein. When 
eggs were found upon a tree, the tree was marked with white paint and 
the locality designated upon the map. Special implements for the 
work were invented as necessity required, and a stock of equipments 
and materials was gradually accumulated. 
"At this time the gypsy moth was supposed to be confined to eight 
or nine towns. Inspectors were sent out to determine how far it had 
extended, and soon found small colonies in other towns. It was at once 
evident that inspection must be continued until the limits of the infes- 
ted district was determined. This method was followed until the new 
leaves covering the trees rendered farther inspection impracticable. 
The work was resumed when the cat had nearly reached matur- 
ity, was continued after the leaves fell, and is still in progress. 
“After the men had received the training and experience without 
which their work would have been of little value, there remained but 
six weeks in which to make a hasty inspection of the territory and 
destroy the eggs. Although the work was thus necessarily hurried and 
imperfect, yet, in consequence of it, the insects have not since appeared 
in more than sixty localities where the eggs were found in the spring. 
The infested towns farthest from the centre were first visited by the men 
engaged in destroying eggs. The men worked from these towns toward 
Malden and Medford. Before this work was completed the eggs began 
to hatch. This rendered thorough work an impossibility. No attempt 
was made, therefore, in the spring, to complete this work in Malden and 
Medford, except upon trees on or near the highways. 
