September, 1912.] 



197 



INSECT PESTS IN ZANZIBAR. 



If we may judge by "An Account of Insects Injurious to Economic 

 Plants in Zanzibar" (Leaflet No, 1, by W. M. Aders), that country may be 

 reckoned as singularly fortunate. About thirty different pests are briefly 

 described. More than three times this number have been recorded from 

 the Tea plant alone, in India and Ceylon, Of those described, all but two 

 or three occur in Ceylon, and would rank here as of minor importance. 

 Zanzibar should be an Ideal Place for the establishment of strict quaran- 

 tine regulation?. Nearly all the more important insect pests of any 

 country are introductions. Arriving without the natural enemies that 

 preserve the balance of nature in their native country, they are at liberty 

 to increase and multiply without hindrance. By subjecting all imported 

 plants to fumigation before distribution, Zanzibar may long remain in the 

 enviable position (as regards insect pests) in which it apparently now 

 finds itself. 



In describing the pests of thd Cotton plant, mention is made of an 

 Aphis which is said to be " about \ an inch in length." If this figure is 

 correct (which I can hardly credit), it must be a giant of its kind. Our 

 largest Ceylonese Aphid measures approximately 4 milimeters, which is 

 equivalent to about one-sixth of an inch. 



Amongst the various recommendations for the destruction of ' white 

 ants ' (Termites,) I can find no mention of the 'Universal' Ant Extermi- 

 nator, an appliance that was first brought to my notice by advertisements 

 from South Africa. This handy and invaluable machine pumps the fumes 

 of burning sulphur and arsenic into the nests, with most deadly effect. 



At the end of the leaflet are given four formulas for sinple insecticides. 

 The author wisely confines himself to this small number, which is really 

 sufficient for all practical purposes. His list consists of Lead Arseniate, 

 Paris Green, Rosin Wash, and Kerosene Emulsion. Indeed, the number 

 might have been reduced to three, without loss of efficiency, for Lead 

 Arseniate serves all the purposes of Paris Green, — with better results. 



For the rest, this pamphlet is written in clear and simple language, 

 without needless technical detail, and should prove of service to local 

 agriculturists and horticulturists. 



E. E. G. 



THE SCHOOL GARDEN. 



A contributor to the Gardener's Magazine of July 6th writing about 

 the school-gardens, says that the introduction of gardening as a subject 

 in the school curriculum resulted from a conviction that our educational 

 system was wrong inasmuch as it was not practical enough. 



There is still in some quarters hazy ideas as to the object of school 

 gardens. 



It is not primarily to turn out professional gardeners though that 

 may be a sequence, but it is intended to raise the general taste for garden- 

 ing as a recreation and hobby, which is admitted to have an " uplifting 

 effect." Another result of school gardening is that it teaches boys to 

 work, to be handy and inventive. It also makes them take more interest 

 in their natural surroundings, and in after lite find a pleasure in rural 

 life that a town life can never offer. 



