474 



without damage to the structure. Attentiou is called to the fact that any damage 

 done by the agents or servants of this department in the work of exterminating the 

 moth may be recovered under provisions of section 2, as above printed. 



Attention is also called to section 6 as above printed, which sets forth the penal- 

 ties for obstructing any servant or agent of the State Board of Agriculture, 



11. Courteous and considerate conduct is expected of all agents and employes of 

 the department. Complaints in writing concerning any infraction of this rule should 

 be sent to the director and will be heard by him or the committee. 



William H. Sessions, 

 N. S. Shaler, 

 F. H. Appletox, 

 Committee of State Board of Agriculture. 



THE EXTERMINATION OF THE GYPSY MOTH. 



About the middle of June the entomologist made a short trip into 

 the districts of Massachusetts most severely visited by the Gypsy 

 Moth, with a view of observing the state of things and because it had 

 been reported that the efforts being made to exterminate the pest were 

 somewhat unsatisfactory. An investigation of the methods employed 

 resulted in the conviction that they were not likely to be successful. 

 The members of the committee having the matter in charge were unable 

 to give much personal attention to the work, and the spraying was being 

 performed in a crude and unsatisfactory manner, and without entomo- 

 logical supervision of an advisory character. No well directed and 

 carefully conducted experiments had been made to ascertain what spe- 

 cial methods are best for this specific case. As a consequence widely 

 varying results had been obtained and in no instance, where trees were 

 examined that had been treated, was it difficult to find living caterpil- 

 lars yet ui)on them. The need of some one experienced in entomological 

 matters to make proper biographic notes and to direct proper experi- 

 mentation was apparent, and the fact was strongly urged upon Mr. 

 Sessions, the chairman of the committee. It has recently been learned 

 that arrangements have been made with Prof. .0. H. Fernald whereby 

 he will give active personal supervision to the work. This is a step in 

 the right direction. 



As the possibility of extermination becomes doubtful, all effort look- 

 ing to the control of the species as one to be continually dealt with 

 grows in importance, and it is strongly recommended that an efibrt be 

 made to introduce some of the natural enemies of the species which are 

 known to occur in Europe. The difficulties which the committee have 

 to encounter are great. There is much prejudice against the use of 

 Paris green, and individuals have interfered with the work more or less 

 seriously, in some cases forcibly. 



HOT WATER FOR THE ROSE CHAFER. 



It seems from the experience of the present season that the Eose 

 Chafer {Macrodactylus subspinosus) is peculiarly susceptible to the ac 

 tion of hot water. Mr. D. 'J. Kellogg, of Yineland, N^ew Jersey, was 

 the first to suggest this idea to us. He wrote us under date of June 8 



