DISTURBING NATURE'S BALANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 211, 11 September 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

DISTURBING NATURE'S BALANCE.

The great and groAving cost of the attempts in Massachusetts to exterminate the gypsy moth shoAvs hoAv serious may be the consequences to "the balance of nature" by the introduction of foreign insects or animals. A feAV of these moths Avere imported some years ago by an entomologist residing near Boston, says the "NeAV York Times." Several of the captives escaped from, custody, and the State has spent 450,000d01. in the last four years in a vain attempt to exterminate their descendants. It is now estimated that at least 1,575,000d01. Avill be required, and that the appropriation for five years to come should be 200,000 dol. per annum. On the other hand, a perpetual appropriation 100,000dol. per annum would serve to confine the moths to the district in Avhich they are uoav found. The problem resembles that Avhich has taxed the resources of the Australian colonies since the progeny of'half-a-dozen rabbits, imported from England, became so numerous that the maintenance of agricultural industries Avas menaced by their depredations. Australia has expended millions in rabbit-proof fences and in devices for killing off the rabbits. But, although bacteriologists have endeavoured to remove them by disseminating the germs of a fatal disease, the colonists have thus far been able to do no more than hold the animals in check. In Florida several rivers have recently been choked by the rapid growth of a kind of hyacinth imported a feAV years ago, and considerable expenditure Avill be required to keep the streams open for navigation. An imported insect called the black scale menaced the fruit industry in California until the State procured from Australia and introduced in the orchards a lit-le beetle AAdiich ate the obnoxious insects and thus brought relief. These and other instances which might be cited shoAV that the utmost caution should be observed with respect to the introduction into any country of insects or plants for Avhich nature has made no preparation there, and the growth of Avhich may not be restrained by natural enemies and checks with Avhich they must contend in the countries from which they are brought.