No. 5. ] Methrxh adopted in Tunis for destroying LomHa. 123 



During- this invasion of flying locusts, most of the crops were saved 



from destruction by their advanced stages of 

 Crops and vines, . 



maturity, and next to uo damage was done 



to tlie vines in consequence of instructions issued by the general com- 



Measnres adopted by the manding the brigade of occupation to the 



tiiilitary authorities. rp j i • i i. £e i 



oilicei's under nis command to artord every 

 possible assistance to the " Controleurs Civils "^ in the protection of their 

 districts against the invasion of locusts* 



When the approach of a swarm was signalled to the military autlio- 



rities, troops were immediately despatched to 



Scaring of %mg locusts. i j ■ • i i • <- 1 j c au 



the spot and divided into bodies or ntty men^ 

 who were told off to the ditferent vineyards of the estate, each man 

 being provided with an empty tin petroleum can and a small stick. 



When the flights appeared, the men were placed in line and oidered 

 to strke the cans as they advanced in open marching order through the 

 vineyards. 



These measures were never known to fail, and are generally acknow- 

 ledged to be far more effective than the emjiloyment of smoke for scaring 

 away the locustS; especially where a large tract of country has to be 

 covered. 



The Tunisian Government has granted sums amounting to 4,1 66(?. to 



Grants of the Tunisian Go- meet the expenditure in connection with the 



vernnient. locust invasion and a Decree has been issued 



by the Bey, dated May 7th, 1891, declaring the measures adopted by the 



„ ,. , , Government as obligatory on all proprietors, 



Bejlieal decree. o j it' 



farmers and tenants of land, and empowering 

 the local authorities, and all agents employed in the locust campaign to 

 impress the number of inhabitants required for the work of destruction, 

 even outside their own properties. 



On the appearance of locusts in a kaidat,^ instructions were issued by 



Instructions to Kaids and the " Contr61eur Civil " to the kaids and 



" ^' sheikhs of his district to mark the spots 



where locusts had alighted and coupled, and if possible, to plough up the 



ground on their depaiture. 



These precautionary measures are believed to have caused the destruc- 



Destruction of eggs by plough- tion of a large percentage of eggs on cultiva- 



^^^' ted land where the plough could be employed. 



The natives were also enjoined to collect eggs, and in some of the 



^ District Couimissioiiers. '^ The district of a Kaid. 



