ÆäÀÌÁö À̹ÌÁö
PDF
ePub

1

NIV

OF

CH

PLATE XXVI.

LETTER F

PROF. A.

DEAR PR it is certain

the gypsy a

moth and la

tion. I woul

measures for

of the territ

Massachuset necessary for

there is no d

far wiser, in

The gyps

the insect t

be no recur

measures

be continu

until natu

One of the carts used by the men in carrying their tools and supplies from place to place. The picture shows ladsaws, zinc, axes, climbing irons, etc., which are

der, extension poles for brushes,

essential for the various kinds of

[graphic]

pest. Uni

We have

for more

spread o

will be

more st eration exterm

dred n

The

State

inte

to b

LETTER FROM DR. E. PORTER FELT, STATE ENTOMOLOGIST OF NEW YORK. ALBANY, N. Y., January 5, 1907.

PROF. A. E. STENE.

DEAR PROFESSOR STENE:-Replying to your communication of December 29, it is certainly most advisable to have liberal appropriations for controlling both the gypsy and brown-tail moths. Personally, from my knowledge of the gypsy moth and lack of very definite information concerning the Rhode Island infestation, I would not deem it advisable to advocate the adoption of exterminative measures for the eradication of the gypsy moth. It might be that an examination of the territory would lead to a revision of this opinion. The experience in Massachusetts has shown it to be almost impossible to secure the large sums necessary for successful exterminative work during a series of years, and unless there is no doubt as to obtaining sufficient money to accomplish the purpose, it is far wiser, in my judgment, to be content with repressive measures.

The gypsy moth spreads very slowly, and it is undoubtedly true that, were the insect to be exterminated in the city of Providence and its vicinity, there would be no recurrence of the pest for a number of years, provided the present repressive measures are rigidly enforced in Massachusetts. We all hope that the latter will be continued for a long term of years, and the further spread of the moth stopped until natural enemies of one kind or another are able to adequately cope with the pest. Unfortunately, if history repeats itself, and such is very likely to be the case, we have no guarantee that the present highly efficient measures will be continued for more than a relatively few years. The result would inevitably be a greater spread of the moth, and it is measurably certain that the automobile in the future will be even more effective than it has been in the past in carrying this pest, unless more strict measures are employed to prevent its dissemination. These considerations lead me to question very seriously the advisability of attempting to exterminate the insect from any extended infested area within fifty or one hundred miles of the large section now inhabited by this pest.

There is a serious danger of the gypsy moth being brought into New York State, and this has made it advisable to disseminate widely information concerning the insect for the purpose of enlisting the coöperation of the public in detecting this pest upon its earliest appearance. Last summer this office issued an illustrative placard giving the salient features of both the gypsy and brown-tail moth, and this was followed by a summarized bulletin treating of the two species. This has resulted in a great many of our citizens becoming deeply interested in insects, and many of the leaf-feeders were sent in for identification. Such general interest should make it nearly impossible for the gypsy moth or any similar pest to become well established over a large area before it was detected. We have

also inspected various places in the State where there seemed to be the most chance of the insect being introduced, and some work of this character has also been done by the agents of the State Department of Agriculture.

It is very probable that an emergency appropriation from the legislature will be requested this year, so as to have some funds on hand in case an infestation is discovered. The amount cannot be stated, but I would certainly favor the making of a liberal appropriation because of the obvious advantages in having plenty of means at hand in such an emergency.

All parties in New York State interested in this matter will gladly lend assistance toward securing appropriations from the national government, for the purpose of aiding the States now infected by these insects, since it is well recognized that repressive measures mean the protection of all to a considerable extent Trusting that you will find the above of service, and assuring you of my interest in the matter, I am,

Yours very truly,

(Signed) E. P. FELT,

State Entomologist.

LETTER FROM PROF. E. D. SANDERSON, ENTOMOLOGIST OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND EXPERIMENT STATION.

MR. A. E. STENE.

DURHAM, N. H., January 7, 1907.

MY DEAR MR. STENE:-Yours of December 27 and January 3 at hand. I will send you in a few days a copy of a bulletin now in press giving the present conditions in New Hampshire. A bill will go into the legislature in a day or two of which I shall also be glad to send you copies as soon as I can secure them from the printer. I believe it will be possible to exterminate the gypsy moth in New Hampshire, I think it will take at least three or four years. I believe that by constant inspection we can keep our State clear of it from Massachusetts. I most certainly think that it would be cheaper to try to exterminate and keep out the pest than to depend on natural enemies and special legislative appropriations. If the gypsy moth ever gets a foothold in New Hampshire, there is a very slim chance of our being able to control it, as far as the present experience indicates. I believe that sometime in the future the parasitic and predaceous enemies will bring the gypsy moth to a condition similar to that in Europe. Whether this will be five, ten, or a hundred years, nobody knows. There is no question at the present time we must do everything possible to exterminate it.

We are now taking up the matter of additional appropriations from Congress with our representatives and senators, and we trust that the appropriation will

be increased to $250,000. The two bills to be introduced in the New Hampshire legislature provide essentially for the office of State Entomologist, and for an appropriation of around $40,000 for the moth work. The entire work and power to make regulations is placed in the hands of the State Entomologist.

Very truly yours,

(Signed) E. D. SANDERSON.

LETTER FROM E. F. HITCHINGS, STATE ENTOMOLOGIST OF MAINE.

PROF. A. E. STENE.

AUGUSTA, ME., January 1, 1907.

MY DEAR SIR-Your letter received this morning, and will hasten to reply, As to the infestation of the gypsy moth in this State, I can only give a partial report, as the U. S. Commissioners are still at work here.

They found quite an infestation in the towns of Kittery, Elliot, and York, and are now at work in the town of Wells. They will continue to scout over the whole section from Kittery to Portland. the Soldiers' Home at Togus, near Augusta.

A stray egg-cluster was found at

I hardly think it possible to exterminate the moth in Maine, unless the national government joins hands with us. I am confident that the pest can be exterminated in New England if we all pull together.

It will mean a strong pull and that right now; next year won't do, that is, there must be concerted action along the best possible lines of work and investigation, and that right away. Our legislature will meet to-morrow. We have had one committee meeting and will hold another soon. I cannot say just what will be done, but it will be something, and I hope something substantial.

As to the State work outside of Massachusetts, I think that each State should do its utmost to get rid of the pest within its borders, and have a contingent fund to draw from in case of any emergency.

I think that our only hope is to secure, if possible, as large an appropriation from our national government as may be, so that they can join with us in stamping out this insect pest.

As to natural enemies, I have no hopes whatever from any assistance from our native parasites; it may be possible that the foreign ones may become acclimated so as to hold them in check, so that only occasional devastations will occur; but they will never exterminate them, in my judgment.

Very truly yours,

(Signed) E. F. HITCHINGS.

« ÀÌÀü°è¼Ó »