The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-08-10
Ho,r the Chinese and philippine Islanders
F.rfe5usi5tate the Pcts-- Stretching Nets,
burning Rubbish, etc
IT,. ala, frl,E.-st 90 T rfhuupA

Ho,r the chinese and philippine Islanders
t.rfesD.i3,ate the P@ts-Strr'ehi"g Nets
B",y,ing Rubbish. ETC.
jF-ou, the Chicago ribune)
In March lasta letter was dispatched
from the Tribune Office to gentleman in
Hong Kong asking him for information
concerning the Chinese methods of dc
stroving locusts. His answer, published
below gives an outline ofthe means en-
ployed which may be operated ettica-
ciouslv in the destruction of the grass
hoppers 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 if
hauling a 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 Tribune holds in trust for farm
ers. who Will besupplied on demand, as
far as they viii 90:
HoNG KoNG, CHINA, May %, 1877.
] am in receipt Of your letter of the
2Sth of March. ultimo, requesting me to
supply YOU with information regarding
the method adopted by the Chinese for
the determination Of locusts. | am glad
to be able to inform YOU that the Chinese,
from time immemorial, have always sue
ces,fully DESTROYED these cursed vermin
by means of nets thrown acress their
rice-fieIds. They also make large pyTa-
! - a 10 ri of
a mile) between each other, composed of
all sorts of inhammable rubbish, with n
quantity of dry chilljes sulphur, and
some tar. On the approach OF cloud
of locusts the pyramids are always set on
FIRE, and the dense smoke Issuing there
flom soon makes the lOeusts alter their
course, and very often, after a short
pause in the air, turn backward and dis
appear, even against the current OF the
wind. if not too strong.
In the Philippines, where the plague
IS verv prevalent, the natives have con-
stantly a regular deposit OF rubbish, dry
leaves, etc, round their plantations,
ready for the first alarm Of the approach
ing danger. They also fire rockets at the
cloud of locusts with good effect, and
discharge firearms loaded with paddy.
All lOCuStS found IN Jne Hc'US dIS S'iSclly
collected, cured and devoured by the
natives. who consider them as enc of the
best delicacies Under the name Of
lqagosta they are sold in all market
towns in the Philippines.
The law fo1bidding the destruction OF
birds, and the periodical importation OF
large quantities of Chinese martins,
which subsist on young locusts, have
contributed great deal to the destruc-
ton of the insect in the Philippines.
Dry chilEes may be obtained in any
quantity from India at about 200 RUPEES,
a picul of 1884 pounds. send yon
herewith some seeds, which, if planted
in the beginning of the summer, will
bear fruit in three months: The smoke
of the chilly viii kill any insect.
As you will see in the accompanying
number of the China Mail, | have ventl-
lated the subject, and any further
information obtained will be at once
impaired to you Thanking you for the
opportunity granted to ne to be useful
to you, and with kind regards to our
mutual friend, Mr.. LaSen, | am, yours
faithfully, J. SoUzA'