USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1906 > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
Nettling by the Caterpillars.
The damage by the caterpillars to the fruit trees is only a part of the story. Whenever these insects come in contact with human flesh they produce a most severe and painful nettling. This is apparently not due to any poisonous material in the hairs, but rather to the finely-barbed and brittle hairs themselves. So severe is this affection that in many cases people have been made seriously ill by it. The best remedy for it is the liberal use of cooling lotions, or, what is more satisfactory, even if less pleas- ant, the free use of common vaseline.
Remedies.
The habit of the caterpillar in wintering over in webs at the tips of the branches gives a key to the simplest and cheapest remedy, which is merely to cut off and burn the webs during the fall, winter, or spring. This preventative means is most effec- tive, and gives such excellent results that in Germany, France, and Belgium there is a law making it obligatory on property owners to destroy the webs during the winter season. Where citizens neglect to carry out this work it is done for them by local authorities, and the sum thus expended added to their tax levy.
Winter Work .- The work of removing the webs is best done by the use of a long-handled tree pruner or similar device. Par- ticular care should be given to gathering the webs and burning them, as any left on the ground will yield caterpillars and con- tinue the infestation locally.
Spraying .- Spraying is very effective against these insects ; in fact, they are much less resistant to the action of poison than is the gypsy moth or elm leaf beetle. To secure best results, spraying should be done as soon as the foliage develops in the spring. Five pounds of the arsenate of lead paste to one hun- dred gallons of water is sufficient.
Where the caterpillars swarm from trees along fences or on house walls, the use of kerosene emulsion or strong soap suds is
373
INSPECTOR OF TREES.
advisable. Fall spraying with arsenate of lead is also effective, but the feeding of the caterpillars at that time of the year is usu- ally of minor importance.
Little good can be done in the way of collecting the eggs or trapping the moths by light, although many of the mature insects are destroyed by arc lamps. There is no method of combatting the brown-tail moths that will give better results for the outlay than the destruction of the webs in the winter season. Cases will arise where the caterpillars swarm from adjoining estates, and where this occurs banding the trees with some sticky mate- rial, as heretofore described, will protect the foliage from harni.
Natural Enemies.
Like the gypsy moth, the brown-tail moth is attacked by numerous parasites and by certain birds, but the latter do not appear to take to it as readily as to the former insect. Of the birds, the cuckoos, vireos, and orioles are most helpful, while English sparrows eat many of the winged moths. The garden toad also does its part in feeding first on the migrating cater- pillars, and later on the moths as they fall injured from the street lights.
The city moth crew clean the trees on the streets first, which takes until the first of March; they then inspect all the yards in the city, and in case the nests are still on the trees, they are re- moved, and the time consumed is charged to the owner, and is added to his tax bill as a separate item for moth suppression.
No state work has ever been done in this city against this moth. The city took hold of the problem in 1901 and dealt it a very severe blow, not stopping up to the present time. We can safely say the pest is under control, but we cannot wholly stamp it out while the surrounding cities and towns are really fighting for control, not to mention real suppression.
The brown-tail moth does not wait to be carried (as does her sister, the gypsy moth), but, being a powerful flyer, makes good use of her wings. Thus, no matter how perfect our work is done in this city, we shall continue to have brown-tails until the surrounding cities and towns are clear of them.
Our winter work relieves our citizens from being poisoned by this caterpillar. As we do not have the full-grown worm, we have only the moth, eggs, small caterpillar in September, and then the winter webs on the trees, which are cut down in cold weather by the moth men.' The citizens are also relieved of their trees being eaten during the summer months. We also remove in the winter the nests made by the moths from other cities and towns.
Incinerating Apparatus for Brown-Tails' Nests.
At the city stables. in the highway department yard, is in- stalled an apparatus for burning to ashes paper or rubbish of any kind, which the street commissioner kindly allows this de -- partment to use to burn brown-tail nests.
-
ANNUAL REPORTS. 1
374
These winter webs of the brown-tail moth caterpillars (sometimes called nests) are clipped from the trees, gathered in buckets by the men, and later emptied into burlap bags of three- bushel capacity. These are carried every night to the incin- erator which destroys them. By this manner of destruction, it seems almost impossible for any to escape.
The egg-clusters of the gypsy moth are painted with creosote oil on the objects on which they are laid, which totally destroys them. In case they are deposited on a house wall or newly-painted fence, judgment is used, and generally they are scraped off into the pail of oil.
The Parasite Problem. At the state hatchery in Saugus many thousands of para- sites have been hatched this past summer, and about 60,000 flies and beetles have been turned loose in tlre Fells and elsewhere, where they are not likely to be disturbed and can do the most good.
These parasites are mostly of the "fly family," the pimpala and the tachina genus being well represented. There are many ichneumon flies, and one kind of beetle called the calosoma beetle, which has a consuming hunger for gypsy and brown-tail moths, having a record here of eating thirty caterpillars a day. The experts have to go through the broods of the parasites and carefully separate from the flock the secondaries, after which the primary parasites are turned loose all over the infested territory.
The other parasites lay their eggs on or in the caterpillars, and the worm that hatches bores its way along inside the un- fortunate victim, which usually dies just as the little worn reaches maturity and assumes the pupae stage. In this stage they look like elongated shot, and are carefully picked out of the debris coming from Europe.
It will be remembered that this is the largest entomological experiment ever attempted, and it appears to be successful.
All parts of Europe contribute these parasites, and they are gathered from as far north as Berlin and south as far as Sardinia. - France and Austria also contribute their share for the protection of New England vegetation.
None of these parasites are in any way harmful to human beings. They do not bite or more than light on a person, but at- tend strictly to the search of their legitimate prey, the caterpillar family.
Great hopes are entertained as to the assistance which will be had from these small insects, and another year will show whether they have withstood our climate and how much work they will do toward moth destruction.
The Japanese Bug Found in Dorchester.
Cuidocampa flacescaus, the Japanese moth found in Dor- chester, seems to be confined at present to a section around Blue
375
INSPECTOR OF TREES.
Hill avenue, it being learned from investigation that the moth was brought to this country from Japan several years ago by a party of Japanese who came to the Japanese hospital on Blue Hill avenue. It is known that the moths are to be found also in China and Korea.
The species has been found nowhere else in the country, but the rapid spread in Dorchester is alarming, and steps will soon be taken to prevent its spread through the state.
Upon a careful investigation, we are very thankful to find our city free from this pest.
Information on Imported Elm Leaf Beetle.
Owing to the prevalence of this insect in the Winter-hill district of our city this year, and the numerous inquiries which were made concerning its habits, the following information may be found useful :-
The mature beetle hibernates in large numbers under shingles and clapboards of buildings and under the rough bark of trees, and elsewhere. In May the beetles emerge from their winter quarters and feed for some weeks on the foliage of the elm, making round holes through the leaves. A badly-infested tree at that time of year appears as if charges of fine shot had been fired through the foliage. The eggs, similar in appearance to those of the potato beetle, are laid in clusters on the under side of the leaves. Hatching takes place late in May or early in June.
The slugs feed on the lower epidermis of the leaf, and by July 1 often cause the trees to turn as brown as if scorched by fire. When full grown, the slugs are about one-half an inch long, yellowish, with a conspicuous black stripe on either side, and black dots down the centre of the back. About the middle of July they descend to the trunk of the tree or to the ground, and pupate in large masses. The pupae are orange yellow in color, and from them the beetles emerge by August 1.
Remedy.
Spraying with arsenate of lead during the first two weeks of June will destroy the slugs and prevent injury to the trees. Care must be taken to thoroughly spray the under surface of the leaves. Later in the season the slugs and pupae may be de- stroyed in the bark or at the base of the trees by the use of strong soap suds, kerosene emulsion, or even hot water.
The above remedies were both used very effectively where the beetles appeared.
The English elm trees were generally favored as the food for this insect.
This insect is periodical, appearing three years ago around Cutter square and Broadway, near Bond street; preparations were made to encounter it the following June, and nothing was
376
ANNUAL REPORTS. 1
seen of it until this summer, when it seemed to drop in great numbers and all at the same time. Authorities are now in dis- pute whether it will appear or not in 1907, but, however, we will expect and be ready for it, and be agreeably disappointed should it not make an appearance.
Miscellaneous.
The total expenditure for mothi suppression since the state ceased its work in 1900 is $25,141.17. The city crew removed the moth nests on 1,307 private estates in 1906. One thousand sixteen poles owned by the New England Telephone & Tele- graph Company, and about 4,000 owned by the Edison Illumin- ating Company of Boston have been inspected, and the egg clus- ters destroyed when found, at the expense of the owners of said poles.
Removing the moth nests from the trees in the city's gravel pit in Waltham cost $88.80.
Two hundred and fifty-seven notices were posted on trees on vacant lots throughout the city. Over 11,000 notices were delivered at houses by the police department during October.
From ten to sixteen pounds of arsenate of lead to the 100 gallons of water was the mixture used in spraying the trees against the brown-tail and gypsy moth, together with the elin leaf beetle.
Seventy-nine bushels of winter webs of the brown-tail moth were gathered from the street trees, covering fifty-seven work- ing days. Forty-eight bushels of winter webs were gathered from trees on private property, covering thirty-one working days.
Properties of the Department.
1 100-gallon Ware hand spraying machine, with hose.
1 50-gallon barrel hand pump, with hose.
2 cyclone burning machines, with hose and nozzles.
2 dozen telegraph pruners, with 18-foot poles.
1/2 dozen Waters tree pruners.
1 double-edge pruning saw.
2 hand saws.
2 cross-cut saws.
1 cross-cut bull saw.
5 axes.
1 brush scythe.
2 18-foot ladders.
2 21-foot ladders. -
4 36-foot extension ladders.
1 45-foot extension ladder.
1
1
Recommendations.
I would most respectfully recommend that a gasolene spray- ing machine be purchased the coming spring. The two inachines now used are of hand power, and are insufficient to perform the work expected of the department at the present time.
We are called upon to do all the tree spraying throughout the city, both on street trees and in private property.
377
Four lines of hose are used when spraying the large elms. This requires both machines to operate them, which takes a man on either pump, while with a power sprayer we can operate as many lines of hose as can be properly used with the one man handling the machine. Time and money could be saved by the purchase of such a machine.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to his honor, the mayor, the board of aldermen, heads of departments, and all city officials with whom I am associated, and the general public, for their help and hearty co-operation with this department in its hazardous undertakings, and I would express my appreciation of the effi- cient services of the foreman, inspectors, and all others employed in the department. I extend my especial thanks to the street commissioner, with whom I am associated daily, for the many suggestions and cheerful advice offered me throughout the year.
If our trees are to be saved from these insects, the hearty co-operation of all citizens will be necessary. Without such co- operation little can be accomplished; with it, the pests can be brought under control.
Highways, Suppression of Gypsy and Brown-Tail Moths.
CREDIT.
Appropriation
Transfer from Water Income
.
$4,500 00
Receipts :--
Assessments and contributions from sundry persons .
1,239 76
Total credit
$5,739 76
DEBIT.
Expenditures :-
$508 50
Labor, removing brown-tail and ·
gypsy
moths from trees
4,914 47
Tools
438 11
Repairing tools
35 92
Creosote and lead
150 50
(il
98 91
Burlap and twine
15 75
Use of city teams
19 33
Clerical service
117 78
Incidentals
$6,653 11
Amount overdrawn
$913 35
CHARLES I. BUCKNAM, Inspector of Trees.
.
.
37 07
Tanglefoot
250 70
Books, printing, stationery, and printing
36 07
INSPECTOR OF TREES.
$3,500 00 1,000 00
Inspector
REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS, CITY HALL, Somerville, January 1, 1907. To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :-
Gentlemen,-I have the honor, as commissioner of public buildings, to submit the following as the report of the department of public buildings and the department of inspection of buildings for the year 1906. In submitting this report, I desire to express my appreciation of the valuable counsel and assistance received from his honor, the mayor, and from the members of the honor- able, the board of aldermen.
Construction Work.
HIGH SCHOOL ANNEX.
The construction of the Latin High school annex was com- pleted and the building made ready for occupancy in September of the year 1906. This building was constructed at the rear of the present Latin High school, and is 100 feet in length and fifty feet in width. It is a four-story building, each of the first, sec- ond, and third floors of which is divided into four rooms, and the fourth floor into three rooms. Each floor also contains the necessary corridors, coat rooms, closets, etc. The entire addi- tion contains nine classrooms and six recitation rooms. The entire seating capacity is 624.
A corridor connecting the present English High school building with the new addition was also constructed. The addi- tion, with the accommodations provided by this improvement, has proved to make the conditions in the High school more com- fortable and better fitted for the school work.
SANITARIES, BELL, BINGHAM, AND EDGERLY SCHOOLS.
Sanitary systems were installed in the Bell, Bingham, and Edgerly school buildings during the summer months of the past year, under an order passed by the board of aldermen June 28, 1906, and approved by the mayor June 29, 1906. The modern hydraulic closet systems were installed in each instance to take the place of the antiquated systems in use in these buildings. These improvements were very much needed, and were com- pleted in time for the opening of the schools in September, and have proved entirely satisfactory.
CONTAGIOUS HOSPITAL.
The construction of the contagious hospital was completed in February, and opened for patients under the direction of the board of health on March 18, 1906. The dwelling house, owned
379
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
by the city, situated at the corner of North street and Broadway, was used for this purpose. An addition was constructed to this house, which is used for the administrative part of the institution. The original house, generally remodeled, is used for the hospital purposes. The entire building, including the addition, contains six wards, four private rooms for patients, four nurses' rooms, two rooms for cooks, matron's room, dining-room, office, serving rooms, kitchen, and laundry. The total capacity of the institu- tion, for patients, is thirty-five.
Care and Repair of Public Buildings.
The public buildings, which are placed, in accordance with the charter requirements, under the jurisdiction of the commis- sioner of public buildings, are as follows :-
Baxter school -- Value, $32,955.64; constructed in 1901; location, Bol- ton street.
Bell school-Value, $45,400; constructed in 1874; location, Vinal avenue. Bennett school-Value, $59,448.32; constructed in 1902; location, Mapie street.
Binghan! school-Value, $68,885.04; constructed in 1886; location, Low- ell street.
Brown school-Value, $30,690.16; constructed in 1901; location, Willow avenue.
Burns school-Value, $34,760; constructed in 1886; location, Cherry street.
Carr school -- Value, $53,800; constructed in 1898; location, Atherton street.
Cummings school-Value, $11,921; constructed in 1884; location, School street.
Davis school-Value, $22,720; constructed in 1884; location, Tufts street. Durell school-Value, $19,720; constructed in 1894; location, Beacon street.
Edgerly school-Value, $44,230; constructed in 1871; location, Cross street.
Forster school-Value, $85,290; constructed in 1866; location, Sycamore street.
Glines school-Value, $80,540; constructed in 1891; location, Jaques street. Hanscom school-Value, $19,580; constructed in 1897; location, Web- ster street.
Latin High school-Value, $78,537; constructed in 1871; location, High- land avenue.
English High school-Value, $137,900; constructed in 1895; location, Highland avenue. Highland school-Value, $60,560; constructed in 1880; location, High- land avenue.
Hodgkins school -- Value, $71,700; constructed in 1896; location, Hol- land street.
Knapp school-Value, $50,510; constructed in 1889; location, Concord square.
Lincoln school-Value, $18,220; constructed in 1885; location, Holland street.
Morse school-Value, $48,199; constructed in 1869; location, Summer street.
Perry school-Value $37,030; constructed in 1899; location, Washington street.
380
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Pope school-Value, $80,160; constructed in 1891; location, Washington street.
Prescott school-Value, $66,260; constructed in 1867; location, Pearl street.
Proctor school-Value, $12,820.16; constructed in 1905; location, Hud- son street.
Lowe school-Value, $51,826.16; constructed in 1903; location, Morri- son avenue.
Public library-Value, $42,000; constructed in 1884; location, Highland avenue.
Police building-Value, $57,000; constructed in 1874; location, Bow street.
City hall-Value, $45,532.32; constructed in 1851; location, Highland avenue.
City hall annex-Value, $20,655.02; constructed in 1898; location, High- land avenue.
Contagious hospital-Value, $22,793.76; constructed in 1906; location, Broadway.
City home-Value, $37,901.73; constructed in 1871; location, Broadway. City stables-Valuc, $84,000; constructed in 1894; location, Broadway.
Health shed-Value, $1,189.79; constructed in 1905; location, Broadway. Water department stables-Value, $32,000; constructed in 1889; loca- tion, Cedar street.
Central fire station-Value, $37,200; constructed in 1893; location, Med- ford street.
Engine 2 building-Value, $33,600; constructed in 1894; location, Broadway.
Hose 2 building-Value, $10,800; constructed in 1871; location, Marshall street.
Ladder 1 building-Value, $56,143.18; constructed in 1904; location, Union square.
Ladder 2 building-Value, $15,300; constructed in 1894; location, High- land avenue.
Hose 5 building-Value, $16,900; constructed in 1888; location, Somer- ville avenue.
Hose 6 building-Value, $18,200; constructed in 1898; location, Holland street.
Engine 4 building-Value, $15,900; constructed in 1874; location, High- land avenue.
Total, $1,939,858.28.
Recommendations as to the Care and Repair of the Public Buildings.
I feel that the department has done everything in its power to keep the public buildings in a comfortable and hygienic con- dition. The public buildings of the city are in a good average condition in the above-mentioned regard. When I say "a good average condition," I do not mean to convey the impression that there are no important matters requiring attention. A consider- able number of our public buildings are old, and should be seriously considered as to condition and equipment. In this matter I feel that a liberal appropriation should be made for this work when the annual financial budget is considered, at which time a detailed list of the recommendations concerning public buildings will be made by this department. An important duty of the commissioner of public buildings is that of directing the janitors of the public buildings in their care of the buildings.
381
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
This duty can only be performed properly by personal super- vision and direction. The commissioner has given as much time to this work as his other duties have permitted, but realizes that more time should be given. Being desirous of keeping the con- dition of the public buildings of Somerville in a perfect condition in this regard, I therefore respectfully recommend that the posi- tion of head janitor be established. This position may be filled by some member of the present force of janitors or by some per- son not at present connected with the department. It would become the duty of the head janitor to make systematic visits to the different buildings, give directions to janitors as to methods of cleaning, use of fuel, handling of mechanism, and other details too numerous to mention.
The personnel of the janitor force of the city is, I believe, second to none in the state, and the janitors have, in most cases, proved to be painstaking and careful in their work. The above recommendation as to a head janitor will tend, I am sure, to make the janitors more careful and painstaking, and bring the standard to a condition nearing perfection.
When the present commissioner assumed the duties of the office, he found a code of rules laid down for the janitor service. He felt that better results could be obtained by abolishing these rules, as such, and did so. He gave directions to the janitors that they were to keep their buildings clean at all times, com- fortable as to temperature, and respond cheerfully to any request that the principals, teachers, or other occupants might make of them regarding the janitor's work. He felt that this was the best arrangement to work under, and he is of the same opinion at the present time, notwithstanding some slight criticism of this action.
Heating and Ventilating Systems in the School Buildings.
School.
No. of Rooms.
System.
Working Condition.
Baxter
6
gravity-automatic control
good
Be11
12
fan- automatic control
good
Bennett
12 gravity-hand control
good
Bingham
16
gravity-hand control
good
Brown
6
gravity-hand control
good
Burns
8
gravity-hand control
good
Carr
16
gravity-hand control
good
Cummings
4
furnace
Davis
4
furnace
not satisfactory not satisfactory
Durell
4
gravity-hand control
good
Edgerly
12
gravity-hand control
good
Forster
12
gravity-hand control
good
Forster Annex
6
gravity-hand control
good
Glines
14
gravity-hand control
good
Hanscom
6
fan- hand control
good
High
47
part automatic control
good
Highland
12
furnace
fair
Hodgkins
12
gravity-hand control
good
Knapp
12
gravity-automatic control
good
fan- § part hand control
1
ANNUAL REPORTS.
382
Heating and Ventilating Systems in the School Buildings .- Cont'd.
School.
No. of Rooms.
System.
Working Condition.
Lincoln
4
gravity-hand control
good fair
Perry 8 gravity-hand control
Pope
12
furnaces
good not satisfactory
Prescott
12
fan- automatic control
good
Proctor
8
gravity-hand control
good
Lowe
8
gravity-hand control
good
The word good does not necessarily mean perfect, but is in- tended to convey a description of the general working condition.
It has been proven by careful observation and tests by com- petent engineers and schoolhouse custodians that the best-regu- lated systems in the larger buildings, as to uniformity of tem- perature, are the fan systems with automatic control. It has also been demonstrated by the same authorities that the gravity sys- tem with hand control is very satisfactory, but in the gravity system much depends on the intelligence and watchfulness both of the janitors and the teachers. The question as to the advis- ability of installing automatic control systems in connection with the gravity plants is being seriously considered by this depart- inent. As will be seen by the foregoing table, there are two school buildings in the city equipped in this manner. They work well in these buildings, and it may, after further tests, be advis- able to equip all of the gravity plants with automatic control.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.