j«g Indian Musettm Notes. [Vol. IT» 



of eggs, but that, taking the division generally, the Committee are 

 assured that the deposit is considerably less than it was last year, 

 and that of the eggs which have been laid, a much larger percentage 

 will be destroyed by maggots, ants, etc., than was the case last year. 



All measures taken for the destruction of locusts in past seasons 

 were only partially successful, with the exception of the plan of 

 poisoning with arsenic, and this met with the most absolute and 

 unqualified success. Although every publicity was given at the time 

 to the success of the use of arsenic, very little seems to be known 

 generally of this important fact, and the principal object of the Asso- 

 ciation in authorising a report is to give as full information as 

 possible as to the effectiveness, cheapness, and safety of dealing with 

 the young locusts by poison. 



The evidence before the Committee was so conclusive that they 

 consider it to be established beyond doubt that the *' hoppers," 

 however numerous, can be destroyed in a few days by the judicious 

 use of arsenic. Crops, therefore, need not suffer for months from 

 the ravages of the " hoppers," and should the winged locusts from 

 other districts swoop down later in the season, the crops will be 

 vigorous, and so be in a better condition to withstand any attacks. 

 Again, arsenic is effective in destroying flying locusts, but not to the 

 same extent as with the "hoppers", for the reason that the "flyers" 

 come suddenly, feed, and are gone before the poison can be put 

 down ; still it should be kept ready for use, and put down upon any 

 appearance of a locust flight. 



The following testimony will be of interest. One man says : — 

 "Last season on 400 acres I spent over ^^300 in driving the 

 winged locusts to prevent, if possible, their depositing their eggs, in 

 destroying eggs, and in digging trenches, and driving the young 

 locusts, all with only partial success. Towards the end of the season 

 I tried arsenic, and^ cleared my fields in a few days. This year I have 

 let them feed, let them deposit their eggs, and let them hatch, secure 

 in the knowledge that by the use of arsenic I can kill all that hatch 

 on my land, and prevent any which may come from adjoining lands 

 from ever getting beyond my boundary clearings or firebreaks.-" 



Mr. Wilkinson, of Ottawa Estate (who was the first to use arsenic 

 with any success, and to whom the thanks of the Colony are due) 

 says:— "I had all hands killing locusts, and did very little good and, 

 from the time I began to use arsenic, an average of six men per diem 

 at a cost of 7^., with a few shillings for chemicals for the season, 

 cleared my place (700 acres) in 10 days, and kept it clear from inroads 

 of locusts from adjoining lands." 



