Report of the Department of Agriculture. 493 



Fortunately the destruction of '* voetgangers " in the Cape and 

 southern Orange Free State was so successful that probably a very 

 large area in which destruction had to be undertaken last season will 

 require little or no attention in the forthcoming season, for which 

 adequate provision has been made. 



With few exceptions farmers did valuable work. Many good 

 suggestions also emanated from them for dealing with the pest. 

 One of these is the formation of circles of farmers occupying a few 

 farms wdth a view to co-operative destruction. This idea was 

 strongly supported by the Department, and if acted upon by farmervS 

 with vigour should have most beneficial results, and should lead, 

 incidentally, to great reduction in the expenditure now required for 

 the employment of locust officers, who are appointed to ensure 

 destruction by individual farmers. 



The legislation on the svibject of destruction of locusts was 

 strengthened by Parliament last Session. Under the law as it was, 

 a conviction for negligence was almost impossible. 



Professor J. C. Faure, of the Transvaal University College, and 

 a former member of the Division of Entomology, carried out a 

 valuable study of the bionomics of locusts. The view had been held 

 that the female locust laid only one pocket of eggs. He demonstrated 

 that the same female laid several pockets at intervals, one female 

 laying as many as twelve pockets with an aggregate of 428 eggs. 

 The average number of pockets is 6 to 8. This fact emphasizes still 

 more — if emphasis w^ere needed — how great the ravages by locusts 

 are if the utmost vigilance and diligence are not observed to prevent 

 their reaching the flying stage. 



23. Citrus Canker. — Satisfactory progress continues to be made 

 by the Division of Botany with the eradication of this serious disease. 

 Only four infected trees were found during the year, all on the farm 

 Buftelspoort, Eustenburg District. During the previous year six 

 infected trees were discovered on three farms, including Buffelspoort. 

 The progress made is reflected by the following return of orchard 

 trees found infected :— 1917-18, 11,702; 1918-19, 920; 1919-20, 77; 

 1920-21, 6; 1921-22, 4. The utmost vigilance has to be continued to 

 secure complete eradication. The expenditure on inspection staff 

 amounts to about £7500 per annum. 



24. Wart Disease of Potatoes. — This disease was unfortunately 

 discovered in Natal and its origin has not yet been traced. So far the 

 disease has been found on two adjoining farms in the Impendhle 

 Division. The Department has been enforcing for years stringent 

 regulations against the introduction of this serious disease, which is 

 prevalent in several countries of Europe. Careful inspection was 

 immediately instituted by the Division of Botany as to likely sources 

 of infection, but without success. Careful watch is being kept over 

 the principal markets of Natal for infected tubers. The infected 

 properties have, of course, been quarantined and other necessary 

 restrictive measures taken. 



25. Wool and Mohair. — The wool and mohair slump of last year 

 fortunately did not last long, and the scheme which the Government 

 had introduced of guaranteeing advances by the banks was taken 

 advantage of only to the extent of about £1250. Prices hardened 

 after May, 1921, and continued considerably above pre-war levels. 



