104 
< 
The next paper was presented by Mr. Forbush: 
‘RECENT WORK AGAINST THE GIPSY MOTH. 
By E. H. Forsusu, Malden, Mass. 
The attempt on the part of the State of Massachusetts to eradicate 
the gipsy moth has been generally considered as one of the largest 
problems in modern economie entomology. The conditions involve the 
extermination of a highly prolific, polyphagous species well established | 
over an area of more than 200 square miles, containing within its bor- 
ders the varied features of villages, cities, parks, farms, and woodlands. 
The unfortunate introduction of the moth in the vicinity of Boston some 
thirty years ago, its multiplication, spread, and fearful injury are mat- 
ters of history to the members of this Association. Equally well known 
are the facts that vigorous attempts by individuals to free their holdings 
from the insect were set at naught by the inertia of indolent neighbors; 
that municipal control was next tested and found wanting, and that 
the final appeal by the sufferers to the legislature of a liberal and 
progessive commonwealth met with a prompt and generous response. 
With the close of the year 1899 the State of Massachusetts will have 
expended in annual appropriations for this undertaking the sum of 
$1,155,000. While golden opportunities for progress in this work were 
lost to the State through the inadequate appropriations of the earlier 
years, the numbers of the moth have been reduced, its spread checked, 
its damage reduced to a minimum, and its extermination secured in 
hundreds of localities and even throughout entire towns. 
In protecting the property of her own citizens against this insect 
Massachusetts has protected the agricultural interests of the entire 
country. That her efforts have been.fully appreciated by those most 
competent to judge of their character is shown by the cordial and 
helpful interest so often evinced by the members of this Association, 
without whose approval and indorsement the undertaking might ere 
this have been abandoned. Therefore it is with a mingled sense of 
gratitude and responsibility to this Association that I present a brief 
report of our work and its results during the first half of the present 
year. 
The greater part of the work of the year on the gipsy moth has 
been crowded into the spring and summer months. In December, 
1898, a large force of men was employed in. cutting out undergrowth, 
eutting worthless trees, and preparing for the summer work. This 
was continued in January until the funds allotted for this month had 
been used. 
On February 1, all grants having been exhausted, the work ceased 
and it was not until February 15 that.an emergency appropriation of 
$30,000 was granted. More than $16,000 of this amount had been 
