The locust plague and its suppression / by Æneas Munro.

  • Munro, Aeneas.
Date:
[1899]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The locust plague and its suppression / by Æneas Munro. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    363/388 (page 339)
    of these traps were used and filled, and it was supposed, or roughly calculated, that from the locust area of about 1400 square miles (out of the total of 4000 square miles which the island contains) no less than 195,000,000,000 (195 billions) of locusts must have been destroyed by this means in this one year. It was repeated next year, but little was lefc to be done, and for the first time the locust plague was exterminated by human agency in the history of the world. In 1882 the British authorities paid for egg-collecting ^12,262, and there was no appreci- able improvement, whereas in 1883 there was spent altogether on the “ screen and trap” system ^12,511, with the result that the plague was ■entirely exterminated. 856. More economy possible.—But the “screen and trap” system may be much cheapened from what it was then. We now know that there was no occasion to have the screen one yard high. Experience has since taught us that one-half would be ample. Suppose, then, that the yard width were divided in the centre, and that the American cloth was economically arranged, so that by inserting some padding by which it might be bulged out, not more than two inches at the top or upper margin would be required. Take then a roll of iron wire (Nos. 7, 8, or 9), fasten the ends, and strain well, having a few intermediate posts to keep it up in the centre, arrange lower margin as before, with sufficient earth to prevent the insects passing through, fasten the upper margin to wire by tape or light fine wire or cord, and the screen is complete. Economy could also be effected in regard to the pits or traps. Make them somewhat deeper and larger. The cubic space in this way would be much larger, whereas the expense of tin round the margin would not be proportionally so great. The pit or trap should not be very far from the screen. 857. In my opinion this mode or plan is far and away the best and most effectual in combating and exterminating the plague wherever it is expedient to have it, and the best in this as in other cases is the •cheapest. There is no other equal to it. The most effectual exter- minating means will probably be found cheapest and most economical in the end. A rough idea may be obtained from the sketch plan (Fig. 44)- (7) Burning 858. The saltonas or hoppers may be burned at two periods—when gathered in heaps during the first eight or ten days after being hatched and spread out on the pasture, either before or after “ marching.” If burn- ing be the mode decided on during the first of these two periods, it will be necessary to have recourse to placing inflammable material amongst or over them. Kerosene, paraffin, petroleum, coal-tar, coal-oil, and various other oils or substances may be sprinkled over the heap or