DEATH DEALERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10450, 3 December 1927, Page 11

DEATH DEALERS.

BRED IN ENGLISH GARDEN

WAR- ON INSECTS

You will not. if you search the world over, find a inmo barmless looking arson.ai of clearh than tin* sylvan 7.00 of parasite.' which has just been opened in the old-world English garden of Eandiain Mouse, a dignified country residence set in the heart of Buckinghamshire. Ax toiler from AVindsor. It is this sylvan paradise, where the fragrance of roses and lavender beds scents tile air, where the- wild birds make a sanctuary ol' song in the stately" tree tops, that Dr. ‘>. A. Noave and his staff are preparing tc wage their great war 011 the insect pests of the Empire. .More than 10 per cent, of the Empire's crops are destroyed every yeai by insects. The total value of this harvest of ruin has never, been calculated, but it is enormous, and ruminto millions of pounds sterling:. It- is only a few months since I'arnliam House ceased to be an idyll of country resiliences, but already the architects of tho Empire’s Insect Death Holies have set up their insectaries in the grounds. The insectaries are roomy, plea-sant-looking places, where the parasites, which will shortly be sent tc the outposts of Empire to wa.de wai on their insects, are Icing bred in vast numbers. Seme of .tiie iiisceraac* are fitted with twin doors to prevent the tiny mites escaping. ' Special glass is used in order to let in the sun’s violet rays. The various types of insects have their.own favorite menu ; with some it A a tre trunk others nibble away at growing plants, and there are seme who- delight in carcases. AVlien enough parasites have beer prepared they will be sent over the Seven Seas in cold storage to Australia, New Zealand, the Falkluiv Isles. A Vos tern Canada, and every place . where the Empire’s 1 armors, need their services to slay the pests of their fields ami orchards. “The, saving to the Empire's farmers and agriculturists will be enormous if our plans are successful,” said Dr. Neavc, “but this is not all If wo destroy these pests it will cheapen the cost to the consume*! here in England.” Dr. Neavc added that a great many of the more injurious in-seet posts especially in the temperate parts of the Empire, are European insects that have been accidentally imported* there. They; are. in mam cases, more readily in their new homes than they are. in the motlm country. One of the chief reasons why .this is so is because they get into the new country without tie parasites that keep down their numbers in England, . “The primary, thing we have in view,” continued Dr. Neave.. “is U try to readjust tho balance by sending out consignments of their most efficient enemies!”