20 
{Inclosure. ] 
LOCUST DISEASE FUNGUS. 
Small tubes containing this fungus are prepared at this institute and supplied to 
all applicants, who may “also obtain them by application through the civil commis- 
sioner of their division. 
The methods mentioned below should be followed, and the result carefully watched 
and reported to me. 
Highly satisfactory results have hitherto been obtained, and it is particularly 
requested that all persons using the fungus will report the result of their experl- 
ments to this institute. 
During dry weather it is difficult to get the disease to spread, and hence it is advis- 
able to use it in moist or wet w veather,, and to make the infection of the swarms just 
before sunset. 
DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING THE FUNGUS PREVIOUS TO USE. 
Open a tube and take out the contents entire; add to it two teaspoonfuls of sugar, 
and rub the whole together with a spoon or flat knife, so as to break up the material 
and mix it thoroughly. Then dissolve this in three-fourths of a tumblerful of water, 
which has previously been boiled and allowed to cool. Float in this a few pieces of 
cork, which have been previously steeped in boiling water and cooled. 
Now cover the tumbler with a piece of paper, and let it stand during the day ina 
warm corner of the house or until the fungus is seen to be growing around the pieces 
of cork. 
METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION, 
(1) Catch some locusts, and, after dipping them into the fungus, let them go into 
the swarm again. 
(2) Smear patches of damp ground, where the locusts alight to feed, with the 
fungus. ‘* 
(3) Confine some locusts in a box which contains some favorite food moistened 
with the fungus, and, after the food has been eaten, return the locusts to the swarm. 
(4) Collect a large number of locusts which have died from the fungus. Dig a 
hole in the ground about 18 inches deep and 1| foot wide. 
Strew some locusts over the bottom, then sprinkle some water over them. Repeat 
with locusts and again sprinkle until ‘the hole is full. Do not press the locusts ito 
the hole, but leave them lightly packed. Then cover over with a piece of tin or 
board and ke ep the hole thus carefully covered for four or five days. If very warm 
weather, four days will be sufficient, but if colder a longer time will be required. 
At the end of this time remove the locusts and spread them out in the sun for an 
hour or two, or until thoroughly dry. Now grind them into a meal. 
Of this meal, which may be kept dry for a long time until wanted, take two table- 
spoonfuls and add it toa large tumblerful of water, into which some sugar has been 
placed. Leave this in a warm place for twelve to forty-eight hours, and then treat 
live locusts by dipping, etc., just as one does in using the fungus when supplied in 
tubes. 
METHOD OF APPLICATION FOR VOETGANGERS., 
Take about | pound of white bread; dry it, and then grate it down into coarse 
powder. Put a cupful into a bowl and add enough water to make a watery paste. 
Add to this the contents of one tube of fungus, and keep it in a warm place until the 
fungus is seen to be growing over it. Now "place small portions where the voetgang- 
ers are appearing, and take care to see that where not eaten up the small portions 
are kept moist from day to day until they have been eaten. 
ALEXANDER Epinaron, M. B., 
Director Bacteriological Institute, Grahamstown. 
FEBRUARY 19, 1899. 
These tubes, together with six more sent directly to Mr. Harding at 
Benoit, Miss., were with instructions turned over to Mr. Glenk, and 
on May 31, 1900, Mr. Glenk made the following report to Mr. Harding: 
The South African fungus came duly to hand. I immediately began its propaga- 
tion in the manner directed, and steeped the grasshoppers and their favorite food 
