Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-03-27
Prof. &. r. Hitchinqs.

Professor Hitchings gave an outline
of the history of the crusade against
the moths in the State of Maine, be-
ginning with the discovery of the in
sects, Nov. 90. 1906, after which II
government scouts were sent here by
d. NJ. Rogers, the national field agent
These men were experts who had been
trained in the work in massachusetts,
for a number of years, and they were
very efficient They commenced at
kittery and worked through the towns
of Elliot, York, Wells, kennebunk and
kennebunkport. InfestatiOns were
found in all these towns, but on ac-
count of deep snow the work was sus-
pended. 1t was taken UP again in the
spring of 1907, however. by several di-
visions of scouts under the direct
charge of the State.
The number of colonies up to June l,
1907, numbered 234. During the sum-
mer 2120 trees were burlapped, and
these were attended each day by the
State force under the State field agent.
In the fall of 1907 the scouts thought
it best to go into the woodlands and a
large infeStation was discovered at
Kittery Point 1t was then thought
DeSI W Gall lOl IilOIe ttlu llOil Tic 6oN
eminent, as there appeared to be
number of forest infestations. Thirty
men were secured on the government
payroll and 90 others, making about
so ever since under the direct charge
of the department. Three hundred and
forty-eight colonies have been discov-
cred, there being about 6100 egg clus-
tiers.
Since Jan. 1, $500 more have been
added, and there is a total of about
$500 to date. The present towns in
which work has been done. in addition
to those mentioned, are Berwick
North Berwick, Sanford, South Ber-
wick, Lebanon and Acton. There is al
son d colony at Togus, making 1S
towns infested to date. The woodlots
have been thoroughly gone over. the
trees being pruned and the old ones
removed, to make ready for the bur-
tapping to begin in May. Some of the
government men have been withdrawn
for work in New Hampshire, but as
soon as the new appropriation is avail
aDle, new men will be added to the
force under the pay of the government
1t is felt that the full appropriation
asked for by the delegates who went
before the committee at Washington
will be- granted. The appropriation rec
onmended by Secretary Wilson is
$l50,O00, but the situation in New
Hampshire and Maine has shown the
al disability of asking for greater
appropriation. so that additional mon
ey was asked for before the commit
tee. There seems to be no doubt at
at the present time that it will be
granted.
The methods of fighting the gypsy
moth are such that the present colonies
will be handled in such a manner as to
be able to make a good showing at
the end of the season. The fall and
winter work consists of creosoting egg
clusters cleaning up the underbrush.
removing dead wood and removing the
bark from the trees where there is
any possible chance for the larvae to
hide away. Holes are also stopped
and limbs removed to let the light in,
as the caterpillars hide through the
day and feed through the night In the
spring the leaves are to be raked up
| and burned. some of the trees being
treated with tanglefoot to catch the
| young caterpillars. Stone walls are
burned out with OIL
! The summer work consists of burlap-
ping the trees to capture the caterpilars
each morning. Last year 212O trees were
burlapped and this year there will be
from 10000 to $4,000. Prof Hitchings gave
some Of the results of last years work.