226 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



May 27. — Locusts are sweeping off the stubble on to the wheat fields. 



28. — I spread poison up half a mile of wheat for the first time this morning, 

 which has completely checked them, while on the adjoining fields 

 they have advanced twice the distance. A shortage of Paris green 

 experienced ; none to be had in neighbouring towns. 



" 29. — I spread more poison ; many locusts dead where it was spread yester- 

 day. The insects have made no further advance, but where not 

 checked, they are rapidly clearing the fields. Lots of Gray Blister- 

 beetles noticed. 

 30. — Nearly everyone is scattering poison. It is having a marvellous effect 

 in checking the advance. Millions are being killed, while others 

 continually replace them from the stubble fields. 



" 31. — Locusts have made great advance toward the wheat fields, and some 

 have entered them. "We received 50 pounds of Paris green from 

 the Government through Mr. McKellar yesterday. A lot has been 

 6pread. Have tried poison mixed with horse dung instead of bran. 

 June 1. — The horse dung has proved a great success : it is no sooner spread 

 than locusts can be seen leaving the wheat and swarming toward 

 it. There are on an average 25 to the foot dead where it was 

 spread yesterday. Many more are dying. 



'' 3. — Horse dung has taken the place of bran ; it is much better. Locusts 

 are well under control in this part of the settlement. Some have 

 hatched on the prairie lately, mostly Gomphocerus species. 

 7. — Last three days cold, snow and frost. Locusts very sluggish. Most of 

 the Tachina flies appear to have been killed. 



" 9. — Locusts begin to fly. 



" 13. — About one-sixth can fly. 



" 18. — A quarter can fly. 



" 20. — Three-quarters can fly. Mr. Cullen and I found many killed by Tachina 

 grubs on a stubble field. They can be found nowhere else. 



" 24. — Locusts begin flying away. 

 July 2. — Lots flying. 



" 3. — Many flying into the wheat and lots over it. 



" 6. — Countless numbers flying into the wheat. A few are laying eggs. Great 

 quantities of poisoned mixture are being scattered about. 



l< 7. — Lots more flying into the wheat and away. They are doing some dam- 

 age by eating the heads of wheat. 



'* 11. — Poison has been spread on an average every other day since May 28. 



" 13. — Locust mites are getting plentiful. 



" 15. — Several locusts found with hair worms in them about 8 inches long. 



" 22. — Found a great many infested with Tachina grubs. The locusts had 

 already been killed by poison. One locust had 11 maggots in it. 



" 25. — Locusts have ceased migrating. Several found dead on ground ; cause 

 unknown. 



" 26. — Two found at different points clinging to weeds. Killed, apparently, 

 by the fungous disease Empusa grylli. 

 Aug. 10. — Most of the locusts are depositing eggs. 



" 19. — Eggs very plentiful in patches. Many of the pods have been broken 

 open and the eggs destroyed by predaceous ground beetles (Amara), 

 which are very abundant. 



" 20. — Locusts laying eggs for second time. 

 Sept. 2. — Locusts have practically all died or have been killed. A few females 



yet remain. 

 1 The poison mixture as now used by us consists of 1 part of Paris green, 2 of 

 talt, and 35 to 40 of horse dung (by measure). Mix thoroughly, adding enough water 



