192 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



DEPARTMENTAL ACTIVITIES 



April, 1921. 



(NOTK. — The work of the several Divisions and Schools of Afirioulturc covers a wide 

 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 nf these notes, which aie 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. — Ei>iTOR.; 



THE DIVISIONS. 



ENTOMOLOGY. 



Codliiig-nuAh. — Apple aud pear growers in the areas iuto wliicli 

 the removal of apples, pears, aud quinces, aud of receptacles that have 

 contained such fruits is prohibited, had better try to get their local 

 farmeis' associations to urge the maintenance of the prohibitions, if 

 they wish them maintained. It is full time the present regitlations 

 were amended, and it seems probable that unless there is strong 

 opposition they will be altogether withdrawn. A few years ago the 

 Department wrote to each jVatal association to learn its views on the 

 subject; and as only one association took the trouble to rejjly, it is 

 naturally assumed tliere would be no serious objection to throwing 

 open the whole of the Province to unrestricted traffic in the fruits 

 concerned. The protected area in the Western Transvaal is now 

 infested in several places, and the restrictions are no longer justified 

 there. Recently it was discovered that a large apple orchard at 

 Ermelo, in the eastern Transvaal, is infested; and as Ermelo is the 

 chief centre there concerned, it seems as if the restrictions might as 

 well be taken olf the wliole of tliat area. The pest is said to have got 

 to Ermelo with old fruit boxes. The boxes must have been introduced 

 in vioUition of the regulations. The public is cautioned that the 

 removal of apple and pear boxes, etc., into a closed area maj- involve 

 both sender and receiver in very serious trouble. Neither professed 

 ignorance of the prohibition nor negligence on the pait of mil way 

 officials is accepted as excusing a violation. 



Locusts. — The j)ublic in general is hearing very little about 

 locusts, but it has probably been thirty years since there was anything 

 like so widespread and rapid a breeding up of the pest as there has 

 been in the present season. Time after time since 1911) locust out- 

 breaks that threatened very seriously to achieve innnense proportions 

 have been " nipped in the bud " ; but the rec(n-ds of the past fail to 

 suggest any " bud " of such magnitude and vigorous growth as has 

 showed this year. The nipping process is still proceeding vigorously 

 at the time of writing, Tth May, long after voetganger locust trouble 

 for a season is generally over. March and April were wonderful 

 months for the growth of vegetation in the Karroo, but the months 

 were still more astonishing in their effect on the locust. It was rather 

 exceptional for the insect to occur in distinct generations. One 

 generation followed another in quick succession, and hatching 



