356 G. E. BODKIN AND L. D. CLEARE. 



The Use of Tar and Molasses. 



The most viscous quality of American tar was utilized in this method. For 

 hoppers up to about two weeks old it proved most useful and was largely used in 

 the North West District. At this stage of growth the " clustering " habit was more 

 marked than at a later period. 



The tar was copiously smeared on any rigid surface, such as small sheets of metal 

 from kerosene oil tins, the young stiff fan-shaped leaves of the Troolie palm 

 (Manacaria saccifera), banana leaves, etc. A dense cluster of young hoppers 

 having been located on some foliage it was at once surrounded by such tarred 

 surfaces laid on the ground, the tarred surface being uppermost. This had to 

 be done carefully so as not to disturb the swarm. The hoppers were then brushed 

 off and, falling on to the tar, at once adhered firmly thereto and quickly died. 

 In some instances the hoppers were driven on to large sheets smeared with tar. 



Under certain conditions tarpaulins, about 8 feet square, smeared with molasses 

 were utilized to trap the hoppers, especially those almost fully grown. For this 

 operation a good thick quality of molasses is very necessary. The method gives 

 best results on ground which is not encumbered with growth, being specially suitable 

 for cultivated land where the soil is kept free from weeds. Some of the most 

 successful drives that I personally organised were carried out on a number of 

 cultivated patches containing well grown cassava. Thus a tarpaulin about 8 feet 

 square was covered with a layer of hoppers about 3 deep, and similar results were 

 obtained for two weeks ; this was in a heavily infested area. There is little doubt 

 that, given the favourable conditions, this method yields superior results to any 

 other. It was originated by Mr. E. S. Nicholson of Plantation Anna Regina. 



The Use of Poisons. 



Shortly after the arrival of the invading swarm large supplies of arsenical 

 poisons were secured by the Government from the neighbouring West Indian 

 Islands. These consisted solely of Paris green and arsenate of lead. None of 

 the other arsenicals were obtainable. These insecticides were offered to the public 

 at half their cost price, and careful instructions were given as to their use, but 

 very few people availed themselves of the offer. From the experience that I 

 gained during the whole campaign I have arrived at the conclusion that, in British 

 Guiana at least, a plague of locusts is best dealt with by mechanical means of 

 destruction. There are various reasons for this which I may briefly enumerate here. 



The small farmer in British Guiana cannot afford to buy large stocks of insecticides, 

 and the purchase of spraying machinery is likewise out of his reach. He prefers 

 the cheaper and more evident means of destruction provided by the previously 

 described mechanical methods. For instance, it would afford him infinitely 

 greater satisfaction to destroy a swarm by fire — where he sees them actually 

 perish — than to spray a quantity of foliage with an insecticide which will (from 

 his point of view) problematically destroy the hoppers at a later date. A number 

 of farmers have explained this to me on various occasions. They vaguely mistrust 

 the action of the poison, but there was no doubt about seeing the insects burning. 

 This idea was substantiated by the action of the lead arsenate, which in comparatively 

 weak solutions is slow in its action. 



