The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-07-13


In March last, says the Chicago Trib-
unc, letter was dispatched from the
Tribune Office to a gentleman IN Hong
Kong asking him for information con-
corning the Chinese methods Of destroy
ing locusts. His answer, published be-
low. gives an outline Of the means EN-
ployed. which may be operated efiica-
ciously in the destruction Of The grass
hoppcrs with which the Western country
has been for years afflicted. So far the
only remedy devised has involved time
and tedious labor. and It Is doubtful IL
hauling tarred iron drag over field
OF 'hoppers will ever become general SO
as to rid the country Of the pest.
Mr.. Souza has kindly forwarded some
chilly seeds. which the I'ribunc holds in
trust for farmers. who will be supplied
on demand, as far As they will 90. The
suggestions of Mr.. Souza are commend
ed To sufferers in the afflicted districts.
and the Tribune hopes that the means
proposed by him will be Of more practi-
cal utility than have some that have
been earnestly recommended as '.sure
cures" but which have. unfortunately,
entirely failed.
Mr.. Souza has published letter in
the CHM Mail. one Of the most extern
sively circulated papers in the Empire,
asking information. full and explicit, ~
to other schemes employed for the ex-
termination Of the plague throughout
China. The answers will be promptly
forwarded 10 the Tribune and laid before
its readers.
Mr.. Souza's letter to the Tribune j.
g. follows:
Hose koNG. China. May %. ISL
am in receipt Of your letter Of the 2sth
Of March ultimo, requesting me 60 sup
ply You with Information regarding the
method adopted by the Chinese for the
determination Of locusts. am glad 20
be able to inform you that the Chinese.
from time immemorial, have always
successfully destroyed these cursed YER
min by means 81 nets thrown across
their ricc-felds. They also make large
pyramids. AT a distance of one Ii Ga
quarter of mile) between each other,
composed Of all sorts Of inilammable
rubbish. with quantity Of dry chillies,
sulphur. and some tar. On the an
proach Of cloud II locusts the pyra-
mids are all 1T once set on fire. and the
dense smoke issued thcrefrom soon
makes the locusts alter their course, and
very often. after short pause in the
air, turn backwards and disappear. even
against the current Of the wind, II not
too strong.
In the Philippines, where the plague i
very prevalent. the natives have con-
stantly regular deposit Of rubbish,
dry leaves, etc, round their plantations,
ready for the first alarm Of the ap-
preaching danger. They also fire rock.
cts at the cloud Of locusts with good
effect, and discharge firearms loaded
with paddy. All locusts found in this
fields are eagerly collected, cured and
devourcd by the natives. who consider
them as one Of the best delicacies. Tn
der the name Of fangosfd. they are sold
in all market towns in the Philippines
The law forbidding the destruction d
birds, and the periodical importation d
large quantities Of Chinese martins
which subsist entirely on young locusts
have contributed great deal to the lie
struction Of the insect in the Philippines
Dry chillics may be obtained in any
quantity from India at about 20 rupee.
a picui Of 1884 pounds. send 70,
herewith some seeds, which, II plantes
in the beginning Of the summer, will
bear fruit in three months. The smok,
Of the chilly will kill any insect.
Al you will see in the accompanying
number of the CHM Mail, have ven
tlated the subject, and any further in
formation obtained will be AZ once i'm
parted 70 you. Thanking you for thu
opportunity granted 20 me to be usefu
TO You, and with kind regards to on
mutual friend, Mr.. Lassen, | am, your
faithfully, J. SouzA.
In the southern tier Of parishc
~ I n.,siana nua huudrod Cathali,