THE COMMON VICTORIAN LOCUST. 37 



the fungus conteuts of the tumbler, after a thorough im- 

 mersion take them out, and hberate them ; repeat with 

 more locusts, and so on until the glass or vessel has been 

 emptied of its contents. Infect towards evening, and if 

 possible when there has been, or there are indications of 

 rain. Next, smear patches of grass where the locusts are 

 feeding with the fungus, also capture quantities of locusts, 

 and confine them in a box along with some of their 

 favourite food which has previously been smeared with 

 the fungus. Water fungus is not so effective in confine- 

 ment as bread fungus. The bread fungus is more easily 

 smeared over their food. Keep the box under conditions 

 as near to the natural as possible, as locusts will die if 

 too closely confined. In two or three days liberate the 

 lot among a swarm, and repeat again. 



To make Bread Fungus. 



3rd. Take about one pound of white bread which is 

 fairly stale, and then grate it into a coarse powder. Place 

 a cupful into a basin, and add enough water to make a 

 watery paste (water must be previously boiled and cooled), 

 add to this the contents of one tube of fungus, thoroughly 

 mix with the paste (no sugar is required), place a cover- 

 ing over the basin if flies are numerous, and keep it in a 

 warm place, same as for water fungus, and in two or three 

 days the fungus will be seen gromng over the surface of 

 the paste ; it is now ready for use. 



To Distribute. 



4th. This is best used on locusts in the early or hop- 

 ping stages, and distributed by placing small portions 

 where the young locusts are feeding, and smearing the 

 patches. If rain or heavy dews are prevalent the 

 moisture thus received will keep the fungus growing until 

 all has been eaten, if weather is dry carefully water the 

 infected patches every evening until the fungus food has 

 disappeared. Catch young locusts in net, and bring them 

 to feed on the infected patches. 



