Evening star., 1933-10-05
~ MERCURIO, Santiago.-A new
l. insect plague, more than equal
in virulence to any that has
- tormented agriculturists in this

IL tormented agriculturistS in thi:
country before, is wreaking dew
astation not only in the rural districts
but in urban gardens and parks as well
The inroads have begun to assume
a character actually grave. and the
whole artillery of the vegetal sanitary
corps. that is to say, all the spraying
machines and other appropriate ap-
paratus have been called out to COM
bat it.
Local scientists and entorologists tell
us that this bug is called in their uni
versal Technology the "aspidiotus
perniciosus, and though our schooldays
are long since past their meridian, we
recollect enough Of our Latin to concur
heartily in the latter part of that def
nation, which is not only reminiscent
of. but identical to, the adjective in our
own language The pest has been here
before, but not for two years, and there
were many of the opinion that 1t Woulo
not re-appear for seven years. Such
conjectural assumptions have all been
disappointed: it seems that the enemy
merely retired for a brief period to re-
cruit their forces before returning II
great prolixity than ever.
This bug or blight is popularly de.
nominated La Escama de San Jose,
C"Saint Joseph's cankerD; the tiny or
ganisms composing what appears at q
little distance to be a scale were nrsl
assumed to be a vegetable growth, bul
we're eventually determined an insect
parasite. The mature insects deposit
their eggs in vast sheets upon the trees
and plants, and the wingleSs larvae
absorbing the saps and juices from the
plants, at first seem to be little more
than a crusty discoloration. However
they grow and spread so rapidly tna'
it has been computed, whether exactly
or not We do not know, that single
insect may produce a progeny OF H.
OOO. 900 in the course Of one year.
One thing is certain, and it IS that
unless this plague, little less fatal IN its
effects, we opine. than the Mosaic 10.
Gusts which devoured the fields anc
crops of Egypt, can be wholly extirpateo
from our land, profitable agriculture ir
Chile will soon be ended. At present
there Is little prospects of any fruit fol
export this year.
X 4 ~
Tax Collections
Problem in Ireland.
Irish Independent, Dublin.-In sew
eral counties in the Saorstat the ratt
collection is in very unsatisfactory
condition. In Limerick five collector!
failed to close their warrants for las1
years rate. Longford County Council
turned down a suggestion from the gov.
ernment that lists of defaulting rate.
payers should be published by thu
council Apart from the doubtful
legality of publishing such a list. il
would certainly be unfair to hold ur
to public odium an honest either
whose failure to pay was solely due tt
his inability to find the money.
The case made at most of the count!
council meetings is that the people, ant
especially the farmers, are unable II
pay because of the pitiable economic
condition of the country. That excus'
is undoubtedly genuine in a great man!
cases. At the same time there Is prob
ably now, as always, reluctance or
the part of many others to part will
their money, although they are in a po
sition to pay. That should not be
Many public bodies are living on over
drafts, for which large sums are pait
need not be added to the rate-payers
burden If payments OF rates were mad
more promptly.
J What has been said Of the rates i
equally true Of taxes, rents and othel
| private debts. The very fact that tn,
country is passing through an economic
crisis should urge those who can d.
so to meet their obligations NOR
promptly than in ordinary times. B.
putting the money into early circula
ton they will be helping in SOM
measure to lessen the consequences o
the depression.
In the case Of public bodies solven
| ratepayers who pay promptly will in
directly reduce their own burdens b,
avoiding operdrafts and interest charges