72 



THE GYPSY MOTH. 



The "Work of 1894. 



Kemembering the experience of former years, and con- 

 sidering the likelihood of similar delay on the part of the 

 Legislature and a consequent embarrassment of the work, 

 the committee had laid their plans for 1893 so as to retain 

 a considerable portion of that year's appropriation with which 

 to begin the season of 1894. On Jan. 1, 189-4, $29,744.69 

 of that appropriation remained unexpended. This was re- 

 tained in order that the most expeii: men of the force of 1893 

 could be employed until such a time as the Legislature should 

 make another appropriation. There were eighty-three men 

 at work on January 1. 



Early in the year, Prof. X. S. Shale r, who had been a mem- 

 ber of the committee from its organization in 1891 and who had 

 been most active and prominent in the work, was obliged to 

 resign from the Board of Agriculture on account of the press- 

 ure of other duties. Since his resignation, however, he has 

 kindly given his advice and assistance whenever called upon. 



On January 16, an order was presented to the Legislature 

 by Representative Bullock of Fall River, which was after- 

 wards adopted. This appears below, together with the 

 answer made to it by the Board of Agriculture : — 



Ordered^ That the State Board of Agi'iculture be instructed to 

 report in writing to the General Court, on or before the first day 

 of February next, the following facts and estimates relative to the 

 work of exterminating the gypsy moth : — 



1. The amount appropriated and amount expended annually 

 for such purpose since the work began. 



2. The amount per year which, in the estimation of said Board, 

 it will be necessary to expend upon such work daring the next ten 

 years. 



3. Whether, in the estimation of said Board, it will be neces- 

 sary to continue the work of extermination for an indefinite period. 



4. If it will not be necessary to continue said work for an in- 

 definite period, what is the probable limit of time during which it 

 wlLl be necessary to continue said work, and what wOl be the 

 probable necessary expenditui'e therefor, in the aggregate, after 

 the expiration of ten years from date, 



