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near a patch of forest, therefore, is very liable to nightly attacks by 

 these animals and the damage done in some districts is very considerable. 

 As with the rats the actual amount of cane eaten by the pigs is a small 

 matter compared to the amount trampled and partly broken down. It 

 is said that during the rutting season of the males they frequently enter 

 cane plantations, trample, break, and chew the cane, apparently desirous 

 of doing as much damage as possible. 



Obviously the only remedies for this pest to be recommended are a 

 woven-wire fence (which is usually impracticable) and the liberal use 

 of dogs and rifles. This Bureau has conducted experiments with cya- 

 nide of potassium which have demonstrated the fact that in the hands 

 of an experienced person this poison is decidedly effective. 



Monkeys. — The common monkey {Macacus rhesus philippinensis) is 

 responsible for the loss of no small amount of sugar cane in certain 

 districts. In the southern part of the Island of Negros, sugar planters 

 are sometimes obliged to keep a man on watch to scare them away. 

 They are exceedingly cunning and it is almost impossible to poison 

 or trap them, but they soon learn to keep their distance if shot at, 

 especially if a dead one can be hung up in plain view. 



INSECT PISTS. 



Locusts. — Although these insects are not strictly cane pests there are 

 numerous cases of very great damage resulting from both flying swarms 

 and the young insects. The two principal species in the Philippines 

 are Acridium migratorium and A. manilense. In case of the adult or 

 flying insect but little can be done beyond trying to prevent a swarm 

 alighting in the field ; smudges made with dampened cane trash, rice 

 straw, etc., or a loud noise made by beating on tins or bamboos are often 

 successful, if sufficient warning is had of the approach of the swarms. 



During the 'Tiopper" stage (loctones) excellent results may be had 

 by spraying some arsenical preparation onto the herbage just ahead of 

 the moving swarm. Any of the arsenical compounds, such as arsenate 

 of soda, arsenate of lead, or arsenate of copper (Paris green) may be 

 used. The best results will be obtained by applying the poison about 4 

 or 5 o'clock in the afternoon, at which time the insects begin to stop to 

 feed and rest. If the spray is properly distributed a little in advance of 

 the slowly moving swarm, the foremost insects will immediately stop 

 to partake of the sweetened mixture, and, becoming at once affected 

 thereby, will be promptly attacked and devoured alive by succeeding 

 individuals; by reason of this cannibalistic trait the poison is made 

 effective through two and even three successive individuals — i. e., theo- 

 retically, one 'Tiopper," having gorged himself with the poisoned food, 

 will virtually hill up to six others — ^two ^Tioppers" usually devouring the 

 body of each victim. 



