68 



THE GYPSY MOTH. 



The Work of 1893. 



Pursuant to the recommendation of the State Board of 

 Agriculture, the joint standing committee on agriculture of 

 the Legislature of 1893 reported a resolve appropriating 

 $165,000 for the extermination of the gypsy moth. While 

 this resolve was before the committee on finance, the com- 

 mittee on the extermination of the gypsy moth voted * * to 

 suggest to the committee on finance that they advise the 

 appointment of a committee of three or five of the Legislat- 

 ure to investio^ate the work of the committee of the Board 

 of Agriculture during the year 1893, and make such a report 

 to the next Legislature as in their judgment seems wise." 

 Xo such committee was appointed. Members of the Board 

 of Agriculture appeared l^efore the committee on finance to 

 advocate the appropriation of $165,000. Expei-t entomol- 

 ogists and many citizens of the infested district also appeared 

 or sent communications, advising that every possible efibrt 

 be made to exterminate the moth, and that the Board of 

 Agriculture be given the full appropriation. But the finance 

 committee reported in favor of reducing the amount to 

 $100,000. 



There was considerable delay in granting this appropria- 

 tion, and, as the money remaining from 1892 was nearly 

 exhausted, it became necessary to suspend all field work. 

 While the work was thus suspended and the committee was 

 awaiting an appropriation, as in 1892, several of the most 

 experienced men obtained other situations. This loss reduced 

 the efficiency of the force. By reason of the delay several 

 weeks of the best working time of the year passed unutilized. 

 On April 12 an appropriation of $100,000 was made by the 

 Legislature. A resolve was also sent to Congress by tlie 

 Legislature, asking for $100,000 additional to continue the 

 work. This resolve got no further than the committee room, 

 and was never entertained by Congress. 



As soon as the appropriation became available, field work 

 was again commenced. The force'of men was increased as fast 

 as was compatible with their proper examination and training. 



