XXXIX 



insects, and tlitso luive been thrown into canals and sunk under water. 

 A good many insects are killed in this way, but a great many escape. In 

 dry weather it might be preferable to make them into heaps on the downs, 

 and, alter being allowed to dry a little, covered wiih dry trash or grass and 

 burnt. This cutting out was commenced some six weeks ago; and during 

 that time 240 acres have been gone over, and although experience is so short, 

 it may be safely said that the young cane-stumps look stronger than they 

 have done for a long time past, although they have had very dry weather on 

 them lately. Fifty punt loads of tops and water-sprouts, which had shown 

 signs of the attacks of the borers, have been brought home and ground, and 

 the juice showing a density of lOl"^^, after being neutralized by lime, was 

 set up and distilled. Sufficient rum and megass were obtained to pay all 

 expenses.' 



" The note which follows, with regard to amount of ant presence, is very 

 important: — 



"'Ants are of very great service, and it is satisfactory to notice that 

 they are on the increase. These devour the insects when in the chrysalis 

 state. It is thought that the continuous droughts have had more to do 

 with the scarcity of ants than anything else, and with two consecutive wet 

 seasons, no doubt they will be almost as numerous as ever ; but at tlie same 

 time it is thought that for many years past they have not been seen in 

 such quantities as formerly, which, however, may be put down to the fields 

 being burnt off for five consecutive years.' 



" This view is strongly confirmed by the account of some experiments 

 carried on at the Kose Hall Plantation on 100 acres of cane : — 



" ' On week ending the 3rd of May a twenty-acre field of canes was set 

 fire to and cut down, after all the canes had been sent to mill ; the rubbish 

 from the field was also thoroughly cleared. Two twenty-acre fields adjoining 

 were also in turn burnt and cut down ; and two other fields near were next 

 reaped after the canes had been ground. On the three fields which were 

 burnt on the ground the spring of cane in the first was weak and 

 unhealthy, ants few, and canes attacked by Proceras; on the second and 

 third the spring was good, but ants similarly not numerous and canes 

 attacked by Proceras; whilst the fourth and fifth fields in which the cane 

 was reaped threw up healthy shoots, "an army of ants" appeared on every 

 bed, and there were no signs of any stool having been attacked by any of 

 the borers.' 



" The writer from this draws a very correct conclusion : — 



" ' It is evident that to burn fields in which the small red or black ants 

 are to be found in abundance is a mistake, as large numbers of the best 

 friends of the canes must inevitably be destroyed by the fire. To entice ants 

 and otiier insects known to be antagonistic to grub-life is of vital importance, 

 and no trouble should be spaied in getting them into the cauc-fields.' 



