Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-07-21
By Commissioner Ring Of
Forestry Department.
Against Invasion Of State by
Brown-Tai| and Gypsy Moths.
What Mr.. Ring and Stale Eniomo|ogist
HiGhings Saw In Massachusetts.

Hon. +. f. Ring, State forest COM
missioner. i'll company with f. +.
IIitchings, State entomoloGist, has just
Massachusetts, where they have been
in consultation with the members Of
the commission having in charge the
destruction of the brown-tail and
gypsy moths, have personally view
much of the territory devastated, and
familiarizcd themselves with many of
the most efficacious experiments now
in vogue.
While not unmindfu of the danger
arising from the presence of any con-
siderable number of the brown tail
moths Mr.. Ring. as the head of the
State forestry department, i'll which
so much capital is involved. is more
directly concerned over the possible in
roads of the gypsy moth, which the
authorities of Massachusetts are now
fighting with such heroic d"termina-
ton, as this moth is particularly de-
structive of coniferous trees. large
tracts of spruce and pine having been
destroyed in the infested region.
While Mr.. Ring has ever been mind
Iul, Ill Il StIlti oil way VI lllt
tive tendencies Of the gypsy moth, and
has been in Official communication
with Bay State authorities, it was rot
until this trip, when he made a very
close and studiouS observation, that he
had such a deep and realizing sense
of the Widespread damage done by
these pests. Being under the Superyi-
sion of A. II. Kirkland, the State en-
tomologist of Massachusetts, and the
direct guidance Of j. A. Farley. his very
efficient assistant, both Mr.. Ring and
Mr. Hitchings had every opportunity
to thoroughly acquaint themselves with
the situation.
Mr.. Ring feels that while there may
he no immediate danger of IA visit from
the gypsy moth here in Maine, our sis
ter State of Massachusetts is not very
far away, and the system of intercom-
hoovcs all communities on the line Cf
the railroads to keep Il sharp lookout
and report the first appearance of any
suspicious insect to the agricultural
that the situation may be
investigated at once. In view of the
fact that Massachusetts has already
expended nearly 100000 in the up to
now unsuccessful struggle to cxter-
inmate the pest, has just appropriated
$500, 900 more for the purpose, and an
additional 10000 a year for three
years for experimental purposes along
the same line. Mr.. Ring feels that this
State cannot he too cautious in regard
to the introduction of these pests, with
all the accompanying expense that it
would mean for the eradication of
them.
eff one could see those devastated
tracts of land that I witnessed in the
vicinity Of Arlington" said Mr.. Ring.
he would never doubt for a moment
the value of an entomologist for the
State of Maine. 1t is these scientific
people who are largely stamping out
the plague in Massachusetts, and they
tell me it would have been stamped
out long ago had there been similar
equipped officials when the work of
destruction was first discovered, de-
cade or more ago.
1T should be borne in mind, that
these gypsy moths are more to be
feared in Maine than in MASSACHUSETTS,
because if they should ever colonize
in our great tracts of forests, 1T would
be long and expensive job to exter-
inmate them, a much greater task than
ever Massachusetts dreamed or, and
the loss would be almost lrreparable.
The forests of Maine cover such VIDE
areas that the moths, once installed,
would for long time challenge de-
struction look upon the gypsy moth
as a more alarming foe to enter our
State than the brown-tail, from the
fact that the former is so omnlVerous.
He eats almost everything in sight. +:
ItdestrsEs nearly every useful grass
plant. flower. shrub, garden o.. 1lclt
crop, fruit, shade and forest tree which