12 



Bvnibay P reside ncij. — There was also a cou- 

 siclerable development of Prickly-pear locally in 

 the Bonibiiy district, the species represented in 

 these infestations being exclusively 0. nigricans 

 (0. elatior). At Ahmednagar, lying to the east 

 of Poena, it was very plentiful throughout an 

 area of 5 square miles or more, while in the 

 Belgaum district, again, miles and miles of 

 eptmtry had been rendered useless by reason of 

 its dense occurrence. This occurred also at Nar- 

 gcii-cl, in the Dharwar district, south of Belgaum. 

 Generally speaking, it was quite common in the 

 pteeincts of many towns and villages. 



Mysore. — In the Mysore State Prickly-pear 

 (0. dillenii) was seen to be quite prevalent iji 

 the vicinity of Nanjangud, Grundulpet, and 

 Chamrajnagar, while amongst other places in 

 which it was still very prevalent, Kolar and 

 Chitaldrug were mentioned. Its rapid growth 

 in many areas is viewed with apprehension.* 

 It is, however, by no means of general occurrence 

 in this State, and it is. a matter for con- 

 gratulation that, with respect to localities in 

 which it is now prevalent, the Government of 

 Mysore has already made provision as follows : — 

 In the first place, it appointed a Special 

 Commission t of some of its leading 

 officials, to consider the question of the 

 occurrence of Lantana and Prickly- 

 pear, and then made (18-11-10) a com- 

 prehensive Order based on its report. 

 In this Order the Forest Department 

 is held responsible with respect to 

 lands under its control for the clear- 

 ance generally of Prickly-pear ' ' wher- 

 ever it has extended itself to the 

 prejudice of more useful growth." It 

 is also asked to see that Prickly-pear 

 grown on the reserved lands under its 

 control does not spread to neighbour- 

 ing areas, and has to report from 

 time to time concerning the measures 

 adopted by it for the extinction of 

 the pest, and the progress made in this 

 direction. 

 To encourage people to take up other 

 lands whose assessment is below a 

 definite limit and already infested 

 with Prickly-pear, and so render them 

 fit for cultivation by its removal, the 

 Government provides that such lands, 

 , as may be conveniently made available ■ 

 , for cultivation, may be granted to 

 applicants, free of assessment, for a 

 period not exceeding twelve years, at 

 the discretion of the Deputy Commis- 

 sioner, who may lay down the con- 

 ditions under which this provision 

 may be taken advantage of by land- 

 owners. Similarly, under certain cir- 

 cumstances, remission of assessment, 

 subject to prescribed condition, may 

 be granted for a period not exceeding 

 five years with respect to lands already 

 under occupation and pear-infested. 

 District funds may in some cases be drawn 

 . ''• upon to meet the cost of clearing 

 Prickly-pear ' on eomhionages, while 

 definite grants for its destruction 

 niay be bestowed in special instances 

 of pear-infestation. 



* Vid. M. Karitarajurs, Proo. Gov. of H.H. the 

 Maharaja of Mysore, 10-11, p 16, 1 Rev Sect. 1. 



In villages where Opuntia is rampant, 

 Village Sanitation Regulations may be 

 brought into force for compelling its 

 destruction, the state of being" over- 

 grown with weeds or noxious vegeta- 

 tion ' ' constituting an unsanitary- 

 condition. The cost of the work in 

 some instances is recoverable, if 

 necessary, as an arrear of land 

 revenue. Municipal bodies may be 

 required by Regulation to remove 

 noxious vegetation, including Prickly 

 pear.* 



This method of coping with the evil may have 

 some interest to the Australian administrator, and 

 is set forth since it is described in a document not 

 generally accessible. • " 



Itinerary, &c., in Southern India. 



Madras. — As the Government Central 

 Museum had previously published information 

 relating to the action of cochineal on prickly-pear, 

 a visit was paid to that institution, but its Super- 

 intendent, Mr. J. R. Henderson, was not able to 

 supply any additional facts. 



Sir Alfred Bourne, formerly Professor of 

 Biology, Madras University, was also interviewed. 

 He had in 1897 investigated the habits of this 

 same species of insect, called by him Coccus cacti, 

 var. grana sijlvestris, his material having been 

 derived from a certain species of Opuntia from 

 Ganjam. Consequently it was considered advis- 

 able to ascertain what particular prickly-pear 

 had claimed his attention in this inquiry .• The 

 local collection? of Opuntias were examined id 

 his company. 



0. dillenii, 0. nigricans, and Nopalea cochi- 

 nelifera were found occurring naturalised in the 

 neighbourhood of the city. 



Bombay. — From iladras the journey across 

 the peninsula direct to Bombay was undertaken. 

 Westward of Guntakal Junction 0. nigricans 

 seemed to be the only prickly-pear present and 

 in the drier parts of the Deccan was seen to be 

 seriously affected by the arid climate, some plants 

 being killed outright. No evidence was obtain- 

 jible regarding the prevalence of natural enemies 

 in this region. 



Whilst in Bombay information vif^^ received , 

 froiji Mr. G. Carmichael, the Ch^ef 'Secretary fto' ~ 

 the Government, regarding the official measures 

 lalcen to restrict the growth and spread of 

 Opuntias in the Presidency. He mentioned that 

 natives were not allowed to plant prickly-pear 

 near cantonments, and that municipalities had 

 nuthority to order its destruction where already 

 occurring. He also dwelt upon its use in the 

 Poona district as a green manure. 



Mr. C. W. Turner, Under Secretary qf the 

 Department of Revenue and Finance, tendered 

 information regarding the use of Opuntia as 

 fodder for stock. R. B. Vakil, Khan Bahadur, 

 Assistant Secretary to the Government, also 

 rendered assistance. 



It was in the Bombay Presidency that a wild-,, , 

 ooehineal insect had been locally prevalent and 

 destructive to prickly-pear some time ago. Iti 

 1837-8 J. Bell had reported its occurrence 

 between Cossipore and Dum Dum. Its presence 



1909, 



t Vid. Gov. Proceedings No. 10005-21, 12th April, 



fuT* ^^^- 1^1*^-11' Gov. of His Highness the Maharaja 

 °' ^ysore— Land Revenue, Sect. 1, Proceedings 18th Nov., 



