298 TlMEHRI. 
attempt to catch any locusts nor to destroy the eggs. If a live locust 
be taken up by them, they will again drop it down alive, though their 
crops are suffering from the ravages of the insects. They, in answer 
to a recommendation to destroy at least some of the locusts, shake their 
heads and answer that they might as well attempt to kill mosquitoes — 
though individual inserts are not hard to catch and the eggs are easily 
found. A more pertinent answer was sometimes given when they 
replied that their crops being destroyed, how were they to live if they 
spent their time catching locusts for nothing. Yet they and their 
families in their spare time might do a great deal in destroying the 
insects and eggs. 
From the special nature of the country, it is a difficult matter satis- 
factorily to deal with these locust to lessen their numbers. To exter- 
minate them altogether seems to be out of the question when it is taken 
into consideration how much woody lands and abandoned plantations 
and open savannahs give refuge to the insects. They might, however, 
be rooted out in the course of time by persistent effort. 
From the wide extent of country and the small and scattered popula- 
tion, it seems useless to attempt the system of enforced labour, such as 
was enforced during the locust plague in the United States. A good 
deal might be done on the estates by enforcing the destruction on all 
their lands, of the insects and their eggs. Combined action in this case 
is necessary, for one estate or plantation neglected becomes a breeding 
and supply ground for the others about them. 
Harrowing or turning up the earth in which the eggs are deposited, 
which has been beneficial in cold climates, has not here been of any or 
much service, since the increased temperature from the exposure to the 
sun seems only to quicken the hatching of the eggs. 
This might, however, be useful when the eggs are freshly laid. 
Deep ploughing in the special cases can scarcely be recommended ; and 
from the small extent of country over which trapping engines and 
screens, such as have been made use of in the United States and in 
Cyprus, could be easily worked, there is little promise that they would 
repay their expense. Large and shallow trays of kerosine and coal-tar 
such as were used in the States, are not fitted for use in the canefields 
and plantations ; and canvas soaked in kerosine, as also used in the 
States, gives but little satisfaction— as judged by experiments on a 
small scale at " Friends." 
A modification of the coal-tar trays and canvas -screens, as used by Mr. 
