Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-28
STATE HOUSE,
Tss -
GIpsy Moth Hunters Are
Still Alert,
Board Of State Assessors Ex-
aiming Timber|ands.
Bait Casting Forbidden In Several
Ponds in This Section.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR
Next Meeting Of Governor and Council
tuesday, July at 10 A. M.

agriculture, Prof. F.. F. Hitchings,
state entomologist. and Capt. F.. r.
fhllbrook, the special field agent in
charge of the crusade against the
br"Wn-tail ana gypsy moths, were at
me department of agriculture Thurs
uay on business connected with the
work in hand. 1t was Prof. Hitchings'
nfSt visit to the Capitol since a CON
nhement to the house for about two
months, during which time he under
Went a severe surgical operation at
portland. He is still weak from the
effects Of his illness but is gaining ana;
ms many friends will hope that he
may soon be restored 10 his fun
strength
capt. PhilbroOk came on from Port
iahd yesterday morning, and from the
scene Of operations where the work is
b"lhs carried on against the insect
pests. In speaking of the situation
capt. PhilbrOok said that the men are
sun working in Kittcry Eliot, York,
hthn"bunk ANA Kcnncbunkport, and
are hnding lots Of the caterpilars of
the gypsy moth. Thus far over 300 Of
these caterpillars have been found and
destroyed. Five new egg clusters
We're found ana destroyed last week on
QUITS inland at Kittcry. The situa-
ton in the State as regards the giusv
moth has been actually serious but
with the extraordinary good work on
the part Of the field forces in finding
Inc egg clusters overlooked by the
government forces, and also the
caterpillarS, leaves the situation SO
That without doubt it can be handled.
The burlapping of the trees has
been completed and the mon are now
engaged in turning the burlap in the
search for the catcrpiIars Of the
sIpNy moth. In the progress of this
work it is found that the catcrpilIars
of the brpwn-tail moth caterpillars are
also using the burlap on the trees for
a place in which to mott, ana in one
day +. NJ. Saddler Of the field force
found over 200 of these caterpillars
under the burlap on the trees in the
town Of Wells.
In speaking of the situation in Port
land as regards the caterpillarS of the
br"Wn-tail moth Capt. Philbrnok said
that it certainly was serious, but that
the people of the city We're alive to the
situation ana that with the work
which would be done in the way of
getting rid Of the pests matters would
soon he much improved.
James Flummcr, secretary to the
Board Of state Assessnr+ has return
ed to Augusta after having passed q
few days with the board at the meet
ing* which are being held with the
timberland owners of the state. The
assessors are now about finishing the
rGt ,ft
been working in the northern part of
oxford ana Franklin counties. They
have not only been holding meetings
with the timbcrland owners of those
counties but have also been making
an examination Of the timberlands
themselves.
Among other points Of information
learned from this examination is that
the soil Of these counties is as well
and perhaps better adapted to the
growing Of trees than that of any
other section Of the state. that there
is an adlptability between the soil and
the tree that is good for the growth Of
the tree. They also find that the large
timbcrland owners nf that section are
outstanding their timber by careful
cutting. and as Z rule do not cut any
thing that is less than IA or 10 inches
in diameter on the stump. 1t is said
that Il tree &c inches in diameter will
grow more in a year than tree three
inches in diameter by reason of its
larger surface, and it will thus be
seen that by leaving these trees the
operators will soon get another cut
ting With careful cutting the eX-
haustinn Of the timber supply is in
the very dim future.
The next trip of the board will be
made into Somerset and Piscataquis
counties The board is putting in a
large amount of examination anu
labor in the timberlands and in addi
ton have five men mt work, two of
them being in oxford county and three
in Hancock. The forthcoming report
Of the board should he an interesting
one and valuable as well.