THE LOCUST PLAGUE.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15313, 14 August 1923, Page 2

THE LOCUST PLAGUE.

A NEW LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT.

Although we arc told in the third book of Moses that locusts might be eaten by the Children of Israel, not being regarded as unclean, and John the Baptist included them with honey in his menu, yet these destructive, swarming insects have not proved to be popular from an edible point of view. In South'Africa they are eaten by natives, but the palates of (the Europeans and other sections of the population are not so simply satisfied. Locusts have been very destructive to vegetation of late years in many of the up-country districts of the Union. Locust plagues seeem, indeed, to be unceasing in the sub-continent, and their ravages and the measures that have been taken for their destruction have cost the Union Exchequer vast sums of money. The results of the methods adopted for their eradication ■have so far been quite disappointing. Now, however,' we are told that we may take heart at last. Evil is to be transmuted into) good; "a, plague is, after the countless centuries, that have passed since the time of Moses, to be transformed into modern moneyindustry. Such is the miracle announced from the Rand. Locust Meal.

A company is, it seems, in process of formation at Johannesburg to turn out “locust meal,” for poultry and stock feed, and possibly to manufacture fertilisers as well. Those interested in the formation of this enterprising company have—we are told — carefully worked’ out the financial position; and they announce that they r are satisfied' that a substantial profit can be made from the undertaking, and quite apart from, the general benefit accruing to the Union by the destruction of the pests... The manufacture of the locust meal has already been tried experimentally. The meal has the appearance of a coarse red-dish-brown powder. It Is stated to be highly nutritious for bird and ■beast; also for man as' well, .if the avidity with which the natives eat the meal is any criterion.

It is pleasant to indulge in the dream that at no distant date “Best Locust Meal’’ may be advertised and found quoted along with other recognised South African products I In the prospectus of the company the purchase price of the locusts is put down at a maximum of £2 per ton, and the selling price -of the locust meal at £9 or £lO per ton. One order for half a ton of locust meal has already been received from a dairyman. The meal is claimed to be equal in feeding value to imported foods which arc r&old in South Africa at £SO per ton. It is maintained that the meal ought to command a ready sale overseas at £ls.

As to the public aspect of the matter, rt is pointed out that during the six months ended January 31, 1923, no less than one hundred thousand swarms of locusts have been destroyed, costing the Government £93,000, and costing farmers, for labour and time, at least £4 per swarm. The, destruction of these locusts has, on this basis, cost the Union £493,000 during the six months referred to. In regard to nutritive value, locusts, -according to a Government report, contain a .high feeding value, and could be largely and profitably employed as a food. They contain 59. C per cent of protein, and 11.19 per cent of fat, as against 53.3 per cent and 13.3 per cent -of these constituents in meat meal. Further, as a fertiliser, their value is stated to he very great, because of their richness in. nitrogen and phosphoric acid.

Some Swarms. Some curious calculations have been made by Mr John K. Hunter, of Rendezvous, Orange Free State, respecting a swarm of locusts which recently settled on a 1500-acre farm. He, his iMon, a European employee, and 97 natives set about destroying the swarm. From 4.30 to 7.30 a.m. then had only covered an area of two acres which produced 400 bags of locusts. Here follow the calculations: “The swarms on my farm,” says Mr Hunter, “covered 1500 acres. Taking 1500 acres at 2.00 bags per acre of 1501 b of locusts per bag, this would equal 22,500 tons, or equivalent to 37.5 train loads of 600 tons each. It would take 3.75 6000-ton steamers, or 5625 waggon loads of four tons each, to carry this one swarm away. This is fact, not romance.” The swarm skinned 700 acres of mealies, 50 acres of winter oats, and 70 acres of second crop toff a foot high, which was bcirfg reserved for dairy cows for late grazing. It is hoped that by paying farmers a reasonable price for locusts their destruction will be increased; also that Bechuanaland natives, now apathetic, will l>e roused by offer of substantial payment into dealing with the lcousts in their spacious areas.