Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-08

Is very QlHeTeHt prOpOSltlOn 1He
nests OF the bf0wh-tail moth are easy /
to see; but the gypsy moth Is more in
sidious in its methods. II was ex-
tremely destructive. The male moth |
of this species would kill a pine or
spruce tree with a single stripping. II
it once got a good foot-hold in a tim
ber- producing state like Maine it |
would, inevitably destroy millions of
dollars worth of property. In fact it's
possibilities for damage would be al |
most tncalculable. This moth was al |
ready III Portsmouth and while he did
not wish TO predict unpleasant things
still he felt that the people Of Maine
should clearly recognize the fact that
il is almost sure to COME into this.l
State.
Hon. l.. T. Carleton inquired where
the gypsy moth came from.
Prof. Kirkland From France.
Mr.. Carleton: Has it eaten up all the
forests there?
DR.. Howard: No it is held in check
by parasites that prey upon it and thus
maintain the balance Of nature. There
are So different parasites that prey up
on this moth in Europe.
Mr.. Carleton: Why don't you i'm
port some of them?
DR.. Howard: We have a large
variety and are cultivating them in
this country. 1t remains to be seen,
however how successful these expert
ments will prove.
Prof. Kirkland: l will state that we
have an appropriation of 100000 in.
Massachusetts for this work i'm addi-
ton to the government appropriation.
Mr.. Carleton: If you could get
enough of these parasites wouldn't they
take care of the whole problem?
DR.. Howard: 1t would be very I'M
wise to look for any such measure OF
success from these experiments. I'm
der the most favorable conditions it
might require six or eight years to pro-
duce parasites in sufficient quantities
to cope with the present situation. In
that time your magnificent forests
Nigh. all be destroyed.
Miss Conner: l would like to ask IL
there isn't danger of these PARISHES
becoming destructive In their turn?
Prof. Kirkland: No. They are
wholly insectiverous and do not,
therefore, prey upon vegetation.
The Eext speaker was Governor Cole
man of Missouri. who was the first
United States secretary of agriculture
as member of President Clevelands
cabinet. He said that he had been
very much interested in the work that
had been done for the destruction OF
these insect pests. He was glad to
know that they were being fought 50
diligently in the State of Maine where
the work was specially important Gu
account of it's great timber resources.
If" ne said, the gypsy moth gets
hold mere. it will cost this State mil
lions and in time hundreds Of mill
lions of dollars.
1t was, he said a pleasure to meet
those present, especially DR.. Howard
who was with HIM for four years in
the department of agriculture 70 years
ago. Governor Coleman in closing said
4 fine compliment, to the scenic charms
of the State of Maine. Il have" he
| said. looked upon as fine scenery here
as I ever saw upon the banks of the
Rhine, and hope hereafter to be able
to come to your beautiful State every
year."
Editor Thorpe of the Maine Farmer
said he had been much interested in
the discussion he had listened to. He
thought that there was still great need
of arousing the people of Maine to the
serious and menacing character Of
these insect pests. Some residents o.
the State still appeared to be under the
impression that the ravages of the
| brown-tail moth were confined to Il
few of the border counties. He thought
| that if the gypsy moth once secured
a Judgment in Maine it would be eX-
tremely difficult to hold it in check, as
our territory was not only much more
sparc4ly settled than that of Mass
achusetts, but also had timber pro-
duction particularly characterized by
heavy undergrOwtns.
Hon. Parker Spofford said that he con-
sdered himself very fortunate in having
attended the meeting. He appreciated
fully the very great importance of hold
ing these pests-and more especially the
gypsy moth. which would surely be very
destructive to property and especially to
our pulp and paper industries if once ii
became domicied IN our State. Still
when he heard it stated that there were
50 different parasites that played upon
this pest he almost felt a sympathy fol
the moth QaughteD.
Professor Powers of Gardiner said thai
the people of Maine had strong inter
est in this subject. At a recent meeting
held in Pittston to consider it. the church
was we'll filed notwithstanding that j
was right in the midst of the haying sea
son. One man drove II miles and an
other II miles to attend this meeting,
; Ex-Mayor TIichborn of augusta CLOSED
the meeting with vigorous speach il
which he declared that the warfar
wared against these mothS was worl
OF self-prcservation. He felt that no eff
+ fort should be spared to arouse the PEG
, ME Of the state to full appreciation o
. the danger that confronted them from
, this source.