The Washington times., 1901-11-16
JOHN BULL VS.. THE BEETLE.
Efforts to Exterminnte UnwcIcome
Visitors From Colorado.

Although the announcement that the
Colorado beetle had been discovered at
Tilbury Docks must have given rise to
some apprehension on the part of agri-
crtlturists in general and potato growers
In particular. we are able to state. as the
result of enquiries. that there now exists
no cause for alarm, the prompt action of
the board OF agriculture having succeed
ed in eXterminating, so far as II is pos
SlDlc to Judge. the dangerous insect. Lit
tie, if any, damage was done by this Vis-
tation. which seems to be the first for
fifteen or twenty years, The land around
Tibury Docks is not agricultural, and if
potatoes are cultivated It is by the labor
erS who obtain allOtments for the pur-
pose of growing vegetables for their own
consumption
RADIO beetle a Tilbury is briefly thus: Sit
uated at the northwest corner of the
docks belonging to the London and In
dia Dock Company are some allotment
company for the consideration of pep
percOrn'' rent. While gardening in one of
these plots a man came across what to
him was strange insect, unlike any
thing he had seen before. In his perpleN-
ity he made enquiries, the result being
that the Board Of Agriculture was COM
municated with. That body submitted
the insect to their experts at the National
History Museum. at South kenslngton,
who pronounced it to be the Colorado bee
tie.
culture were despatched to Tilbury imme-
diateiy. and they made a most careful eX-
animation, not only Of the land affected,
but of the surrounding area, in which
work they were accorded every assistance
10y the officials Of the dock company. The
plots upon which the beetle had been
found were first dealt with, all the VeBe-
tptIon being cut down. made into small
heaps, and burned with the help Of hun
dreds of gallons of oil. The ground was
afterward plbwed vigorously and minute
care was taken in destroying the insects.
The land adjoining received similar treat
ment
So complete and thorough were the
means adopted that when the inspectors
Of the Board of Agriculture left the scene
they expressed in no equiv terms the
conviction that the dangerous pest had
been wholly annihilatcd. "Oh, yes said
one of the officials in answer to Ques-
tion: Il am satisfied: everything has been
done to my satisfaction. ! could not wish
it To be done better"
How the beetle came into this country
is. of course matter for conjecture. II
that it was imported in one or more Of
the American boats which call at Til
bury. but, although the transatlantic
steamers were searched, no trace OF the
pest could be found
itV OF Tilbury have been warned to look
ont for the beetle. and If there should be
another outbreak to give lmnedl3te no
lice TO the board of agriculture through
The nolice. The penalty for disobedience
Involves a penalty not exceeding >Jo ana
il should also be remembered that Keep
ing or selling any iive spee,nfn nffanc cf nne 1ne
der the act and is punishable by ilne
not exceeding a similar amount. Ihe IN
sect is known to most people as peihS
somewhat like large "ladyblrd: haNins
longitudInal black lines down the wing
cases the underneath being OF yel'P"
ish tint.-London Telegraph