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expense of the gypsy moth campaign. Many useless trees must therefore be repaired, so far as possible, as well as those that are worth the expense. Hollows and cavities must be covered up with zinc patches to prevent the caterpillars from hiding in them, or to prevent caterpillars, from eggs which may be laid in them, from emerging. Ragged, rotten stumps of branches, monuments of the pruner's ignorance or carelessness, must be sawed off; rough bark must be removed, and miscellaneous other work, too varied to mention in detail and yet necessary for the repair or proper grooming of the trees, must be done in order that a thorough campaign against the gypsy moth may be carried out.

The much discussed individuality and independence of the Rhode Islander also comes into evidence at times, largely through a misunderstanding of the work. One man orders our workmen off his premises because he says there are no gypsy moths present. Another says he is not going to have the homely rags (burlaps) on his trees. If the pests come on his premises he is perfectly able to deal with them and will do so in his own way. Commendable as this spirit is

in many cases, it interferes radically with our campaign. If the work is delayed until the average citizen becomes aware that the gypsy moth is present, the insect may have gotten such a strong foothold that it is difficult to eradicate. Scores of people were very much astonished this summer when they were told that they had colonies of gypsy moths of one or more years' standing on their premises. Again, the methods used by the State are such as have been found to be the most efficient by ten years' work and study in the Massachusetts campaign, and unless the property owner is willing to follow these, he is liable to waste his money without perhaps accomplishing the extermination of the insect.

In a great majority of cases, however, a desire to help the work along takes a form which is of the utmost value to the purpose in view. Nearly every property holder in the city, when our men have come around, has been more than willing to give every assistance in his power, and the State has been saved a great many dollars

throughout the summer by the very kind and cordial help which has thus been given to the work.

When this cleaning work is being performed the men are required to creosote all the egg clusters found, and this operation of course saves some future labor. It may also be said that a great deal of this repair of trees is of great value in improving street and lawn plantations, and it would perhaps not be regarded as oppressive if part at least of the expense, equivalent to a portion of the value of the improvements which ensue, were charged to the city or to the individual on whose property the trees may be located. In this way some additional funds could be obtained for what will otherwise seem very expensive and difficult work.

All this work requires excellent supervision and good workmen, and for some of the larger trees, expert climbers are necessary. Quite a supply of tools, ladders, repair materials, etc., must also be provided.

THE WORK IN RHODE ISLAND IN BRIEF.

The appropriation under which the campaign for the suppression of the gypsy and brown-tail moths has been carried on became available at the close of the last session of the General Assembly, the latter part of April. The writer received his appointment to take charge of the work April 25, but on account of previous engagements could not start active operations until the 27th. Plans, however, were considered at once, and as soon as possible a trip was made to Boston for the purpose of conferring with Supt. Kirkland regarding the methods of work which were to be pursued. It was recognized that one of the first essentials was to secure a man to act as foreman and to have immediate charge in the field, who should be thoroughly acquainted with all the forms of the insects and with the different lines of work which had been found efficient in suppressing or exterminating them. On the recommendation of Mr. Kirkland and of Mr. Rogers, Mr. John Sweeney of Woburn was secured. Mr. Sweeney has had nearly ten years' experience in the work in Massachusetts,

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An illustration to show how the gypsy moth caterpillars cluster underneath and between the folds of the burlap bands placed in the trees.

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and last year was sent to New Hampshire to scout the infested territory of that State for Professor Sanderson, who is in charge of the work.

During the latter half of April the Park Board had made a small appropriation which they placed in the hands of Supt. Fitts of the park system. Mr. Fitts placed a number of men under the charge. of Mr. C. Abbott Davis, Curator of the Museum, who has taken quite an active interest in the agitation for the suppression of the insect. Mr. Davis and his men hurriedly went over the district in the Elmwood section north of the park, and one or two other places in the city, to creosote the egg clusters. In this way a very large number of egg clusters were destroyed, but on account of the hurried nature of the work and the inexperience of the men only a part of the clusters present were destroyed, and plenty of the caterpillars appeared throughout the section during the summer.

One of the greatest difficulties at the beginning of such work as was to be undertaken is to obtain the men necessary for carrying it out. The ordinary workman has but a very faint idea of the methods to be employed and of the necessity for being thorough in his work. Fortunately, when the State funds became available, the men whom Mr. Davis had had were turned over for the State campaign, and arrangements were also made with Messrs. George Johnson & Son, florists, and Mr. Edward Armstrong to furnish a certain number of men and to take charge of limited districts of the infested territory. These parties had had considerable experience in the past in treating the gypsy moth for private parties, and some of the men whom they furnished also had had a little experience in the work to be undertaken. The wisdom of securing a foreman trained in the methods of work and in how to look for the moth in all its forms at once became apparent. Sections of the city which were supposed to be free from infestation were found to have moth colonies of two or more years' standing, and when less experienced men would pass a section as containing but a few egg clusters, large and healthy colonies of the insect would be found.

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