204 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES 



January, 1921. 



(Note. — The work of the several Divisions and Schools of Agriculture covers a w^ide 

 range of agricultural industry in the Union, and we give hereunder notes and observations 

 from certain of them treating with matters of special interest coming under their purview 

 during the month. The object of these notes, which are not concerned with general routine 

 work, is to inform the farmer of such matters as are calculated to be of interest and helpful 

 to him at the present time. — Editor.J 



THE DIVISIONS. 



ENTOMOLOGY. 



Locusts. — At the time of writing, 1st February, the brown locust, 

 ix) all hopper stages, is present in great numbers over an extensive 

 area of the Karroo, embracing more or less of the Graaff-Reinet, 

 Aberdeen, Pearston, Jansenville, and Steytlerville districts. The 

 outbreak is decidedly worst in the Graaff-Reinet district. These 

 locusts are descendants of scattered locusts that occurred in the area 

 a few months ago. For a time it seemed quite probable that the new 

 generation Avould be only in trifling numbers, owing to the good work 

 doni; with poison, supplemented by the depredations of birds. But, 

 ewmg to the insects being so scattered, it was impracticable to fore- 

 cast with any certainty what was in store ; and almost the worst fears, 

 not the highest hopes, have materialized. The present hoppers seemed 

 disposed to gather into genuine swarms at first, but now to be spread 

 out to so great an extent that the effective use of poison is difficult. 

 However, along with the scattered individuals and small clusters, there 

 are a great many real swarms, large and small, and these are being 

 combatted energetically. Hundreds of drums of poison were rushed 

 to the area by passenger train, and the farmers are proving themselves 

 tl oroughly progressive and public-spirited in their use of it. Many 

 t)f the farms are of enormous size and much infested. One holding of 

 80,000 acres is leported to be overrun with the pest to about one- 

 quarter its extent. In coloration the insects are variable, having some 

 protective resemblance to their environment as we now recognize to 

 be normal in individuals of this species of locust when not bred in true 

 swarms. Senior Locust Officer F. Thomsen is in the Karroo to 

 exercise general oversight over the locust work there on behalf of the 

 Division. The several magistrates concerned are ably doing their 

 part to make the work successful ; and they have been very fortunate 

 m having men of tact, energy, and ability as locust officers. J. H. 

 Smith is the district officer for Graaff-Reinet and P. Theron and J. A. 

 Watermeyer local officers. A. E. Lee is the district officer for Jansen- 

 ville and W. Musto a local officer. G. T. Graham is district officer' 

 for Pearston, and J. P. Terblanche the district officer for Steytler- 

 ville. White storks are said to be giving important assistance. 



