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.

    365/388 (page 341)
    highest pressure. After all, my idea may not be new. In my opinion, steam is the means for the destruction of the locust. W. P. 861. This writer was well known as the special correspondent of the newspaper in the Argentine from which the cutting is taken—his initials will be recognised by many—and it is inserted as illustrative of the difficult and stultifying influences that surrounded the subject. Although a mere detail or trifle, it is not easy to see that a “ leather pipe” would long be serviceable in the presence of such heat as required, and yet a light, flexible, and movable pipe was necessary to carry out the fundamental expediency of the idea; but perhaps this could be got over. It shows how careless even clever people are about trifles, which in this case would vitiate the entire process. The great Michael Angelo said, “ Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle.” (8) Chemicals and Poisons, Etc. 862. It is not surprising that chemical substances should have been resorted to in order to get rid of such a pest. However repugnant it may appear to some to lay a trap for the insects, anything would be justifiable that would prove effectual. Experience, however, has proved that poisonous chemical substances may be eaten when laid down for the locusts by other creatures not intended to be hurt or jeopardised in the smallest way. Therefore there is a strong current of feeling against the laying down promiscuously of poisonous substances on the off chance that the locusts only will eat of the same. For example, fowls and many kinds of wild birds and insects—allies in the campaign- have been known to have died from these poisonous chemical sub- stances in numbers far more than the locusts, and these in greater numbers would be killed by the former if not poisoned. It would be an error to infer or suppose that such instances are exceptional. On the contrary, it is so much considered the rule that few are now bold enough to advise its use promiscuously. 863. But it may be well here to give a list of the poisonous chemi- cal substances in ordinary use. Chemical substances or combinations ordinarily used for poisoning locusts 1. Bran and arsenic. 2. Arsenic solution (arsenic and water). 3. Arsenic and treacle. 4. Paris green J Ordinary of 5. London purple ( commerce 1 lb. to 200 gals, water.