Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-06
THE BROWN TAIL MOTH
Maiden Man Gives Pointers on What
Should be Done.

A gentleman from "lden, Mass. was
the guest of Il Waterville citizen fer a
Few days, last week. and gave some
very interesting points concerning the
brown tail moth, an insect which. he
claims, bids fair to become one of the
most prominent figures in our civil life
unless the most drastic measures are
taken by the citizens of Maine for its
determination. The people of Boston
and suburban towns. especially Maiden,
have been afflicted by these pests to an
unbcarable extent and II few state
ments made by him should be known
By every person within the reach Of
this paper. The pest originally started
with what is known as the Egyptian
moth, although. at the present time the
brown tail moth seems to have become
quite as dreadful in its effects as has
the former. The latter is of more con-
Germ to the people of Maine, because it
has already found its way within our
borders.
Many of the citizens Of this locality
seem to have remained in profound ig-
nOrance of the effects suffered in Mas
sachusettS from these causes, but the
prOba biltieS are that if we are not ac-
CuIinted with them we will have
enough troubles of our own, according
to all indications. to bring us into ac-
tive sympathy with those which are
now concerning the different sections of
the Bay State to an alarming extent
No form of insect life thrives with the
Temperature at the low points at which
it has been during the last few months,
or with the present scarcity of vegeta-
ton in these northern states; but the
time is not far distant when the green
leaves of spring will change the situa-
ton.
When these insects strike a section of
territory it takes but a few days for
them to multiply in sufficient numbers
to make fatal warfare against every
form of vegetation with which they
come into contact. The trouble has thus
far been confined to orchards in the
country and to shade trees in the city
places; but there is no knowledge OF
where it may end when these insects
have finished their work on the trees of
locality and turn to other forms of
amusement. The gentleman above re-
fcrred to said that at the time when
they made their first appearance in
Maiden. one could walk out of the
house in the evening and easily mag
inc it to be raining from the noise made
by myriads of these insects. as they
were working their ravages in the
leaves overhead.
For days, he said. the air would be
filed with a fine FURRY" substance
which was nothing less than the pois-
onous material which animated from
tho brown tails of these insects. Con-
tact with this substance often causes
tumors to break out on some individ-
uals and thus it is seen that their i'll
effects are not confined to the vegetable
kingdom. but are fearful menace to
man as well.
In the year 1850 the citizens of NAL
den became alarmed and secured from
the state Legislature the sum of $685.
600. to be used for bringing about Il
conquest of this enemy. Before six
months had elapsed the conditions con-
tinued to become more alarming and
another $4,000 was raised for the pur
pose. Shortly following this. another
sum of $4,000 was raised and before the
people had tine to use the last appro-
priation. it seems that a bill for $780,
600 was before the Legislature. but be-
fore the sum could be obtained the in
Sects had again gotten the upper hand
and law was passed. as a last resort,
requiring each holder of land property
to protect his own from consumption.
1t is well-known fact that these in
sects have been found in Maine. <ittery
and the town of Chelsea have shown
signs of this coming evil. Next Tues
day evening, Mr.. Kirkland of Maiden.
will give an illustrated lecture on 'The
Brown Tail Moth" in the State House
at Augusta. for the instruction and
warning of our lawmakers and it is
expected that the Legislature will take
the matter in hand for the safety of
all parties concerned.