221 



EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



and of the good effects of the Paris green mixture. We left Douglas at 2.30, and 

 drove to Treesbank (25 miles). 



Fig. 16. — Dead Grasshoppers, killed by Paris green mixture. 

 (From photograph by F. D. Blakeley, kindly lent by the Nor'- West Farmer.) 



One and a half miles south of Douglas, on the farm of Mr. Agnew, much harm 

 was being done, and also on the land of Mr. H. T. Sibbett, two miles further on. At 

 this point a remarkable instance was observed of the attractive nature of horse man- 

 ure to locusts. A manure pile outside a stable was so entirely covered with the insects 

 that they could only be likened to the scales on a fish or the shingles on a roof. When 

 disturbed they flew off like a swarm of bees. Here the first instance of the female 

 locusts (M. atlanis) laying their eggs was observed. A few miles further on we came 

 to the farm of Mr. T. Fortune, where we found a fine crop of wheat, which had been 

 saved by the use of the Paris green mixture, on land where everything had been de- 

 stroyed last year. We next inspected crops at Aweme, where magnificent fields were 

 found, all of which had been similarly saved. Mr. Cullen used the remedy regularly, 

 and has saved his crop. The same may be said of Mr. Criddle's crops at the same 

 place. Too much cannot be said of the commendable and disinterested zeal which 

 has been shown by Mr. Norman Criddle and his brothers in experimenting with this 

 remedy, which has been developed and much improved from his experiments, and those 

 of his neighbour, Mr. Vane. As a result he has saved good crops where he would, in 

 all probability, have lost everything. Some of his neighbours are following his ex- 

 ample with the same good results. The only assistance he has received is just such as 

 you have given all other farmers who have applied to you, namely a supply of poison. 



Leaving Treesbank at 6.30 on the morning of the 6th, we drove 5 miles west to 

 some swarms, which had been previously located by Mr. McKellar, and found the 

 Rocky Mountain Locusts on Mr. Jackson's farm at Banting, where they were injuring 

 wheat around sloughs. Further west, at Mr. Geo. McCluskcy's farm, large numbers 

 of the Lesser Migratory Locust were doing much harm on a sandy field. Here a few 

 dead locusts were noticed, which had been killed by parasites (Tachina) and the Black 

 Blister Beetles were found, presumably looking for the eggs upon which the grubs of 

 the beetle are parasitic. Returning to Treesbank, we drove to Stockton, calling at the 

 farm of Mr. Jerome Henry, who has saved his crops by using the Paris green mixture. 

 Taking the train at Stockton, we reached Winnipeg at 7 o'clock on the evening of the 

 Cth. 



