The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-12-27
GYPSY MOTH INVESTS
ALL EASTERN VERMONT
Presence Scattering But Dangerous,
According to Statement Of Harold
L. Bailey of Vermont De-
partment of Agriculture.

Harold L. Bailey. in charge of insect
suppression under Commissioner of Agri-
culture Il. s. Brigham, issues the fol-
lowing information relative to the
gypsy moth situation in Vermont;
Inspections thus far made by the
agents of the state and federal de-
partments of agriculture show that the
insect has infested, scatteringly but
dangerously, the whole eastern border
of the state from Guildhall to Mas
sachusetts and as far west as the
fourth tier of towns.
Hitherto most of the gypsy moths
found in the state were scattered about
singly, indicating that they had been
brought in during the previous sum
mer by birds, wind spread or other
wise. This year egg masses frequent
ly are found in groups or colonies,
demonstrating that the insects have
begun to breed here and that they
survived the severe cold of last win
ter. This marks the farthest advance
of their spread which began in Med
ford, Mass, fifty years ago. The sit
uation now calls for the combined eff
forts of the federal and state authori-
ties to so far reduce the infestation
here that the Green mountain range
may be permanent barrier against
its further progress westward, and
that the orchards and forests may be
protected from serious damage where
the pest has made its appearance,
1t is hoped that the insect parasites
which have been imported and are be-
ing distributed will serve, together
with the efforts of individual tree own
ers, to control the gypsy moth. Since,
however, the latter started in the
many years ahead of its nat
ural enemies something must be done |
to check its increase in order to al |
low the parasites to catch up
The gypsy moth caterpillar feeds |
on nearly all kinds of trees and is |
especially attracted to apple and oak, |
The winter of lol7-ls killed probably |
20 per cent of the apple trees east Of
The mountains. Unprepared as the !
great majority of owners are in the |
matter Of spraying the moths could |
very quickly destroy the remainder if ,
ItiL ~ Npuiu dHHir1 kitdA- /
" in the eventual control of this as
well as numerous other pests if tree
owners would more generally prune
md spray their trees.
The control work at present consists
If inspecting, by crews of state or
federal men, the trunks and lower
branches of the trees where the egg
masses Of the gypsy moth are to be
ound throughout the fall, winter and
ipring. All trees except those of for
st areas are inspected Careful in
Testigation has proven that the moth
ldom inhabits the forest until IL has
,ecome thoroughly established in sur
orchards and scattering trees.
fiis presumably il due 10 the fact
hat s.lch birds as NAV spread the eggs
n winter seldom frequent the deep
woods, nor would any of the moths
which may he brought in on automo-
tiles, trains or teams find their way
L first into the wooded growth. The
masses are yellowish brown in color
md consist of from four hundred to
tx hundred tiny eggs plastered onto
he bark with sort of yellowish fuzz
which completely covers them. 0cca-
ionally they may be located on stone,
'oards Or any object close to the trees.