xliv 



THE GYPSY MOTH. 



of the work of the committee be published, for much that such a 

 report would contain would necessarily be of general and permanent 

 value. 



The question has been asked, Is it possible to exterminate an 

 insect which has become so abundant as the gypsy moth ? Before 

 I visited the infested region, and saw what had already been done, 

 I was quite doubtful as to the expediency or the possibility of 

 extermination ; but after investigation I thought differently. It 

 seems to me very clearly the wisest and most economical course, 

 for the present at any rate, to continue the work as it is now going 

 forward, and aim at extermination. The men and the methods 

 now employed are so successful that it would be unwise to discon- 

 tinue them for several seasons to come. 



It also seems to me that the functions of the committee might 

 be very advantageously extended, so that in their discretion they 

 could direct their destructive agencies against such other insects as 

 might be easily taken in hand. 



When passing through some of the towns infested by the gypsy 

 moth we noticed many trees the foliage of which had been wholly 

 destroyed by the canker-worm; and many of these trees could 

 have be,en sprayed by those engaged in spraying neighboring trees 

 for the moth at small cost of time or money. 



It was very evident that private enterprise could not be 

 depended upon to deal with these pests. It is my own conviction 

 that the most efficient and the cheapest method of dealing with 

 any insect which has become numerous and destructive is that 

 adopted in the case of the gypsy moth, not leaving to private citi- 

 zens the too gi-eat task, and thus ensuring failure, but bringing 

 the authority and the resources of the State to the work, and 

 carrying it forward to success. 



Is it not probable that, had the gypsy moth not been stayed in 

 its destruction, the loss to property through the destruction of 

 shade and fruit trees would have been more than the cost of 

 extermination has thus far been? 



It is to be hoped that the work so weU done thus far will not 

 now be suffered to lag through lack of either funds or popular 

 support. There is every reason for continuing it, while to stop or 

 reduce it would be a great calamity. 



I have not been asked to praise the work of the coromittee, but 

 rather to suggest improvements in their methods, and to criticise 

 whatever I might find deserving it. I have no criticism to offer, 

 nor am I able to make suggestions other than those given above. 

 I am, sir, very truly yours, 



Geo. H. Perkins. 



