Eradicating Pests

Solomons Problem

Nutfall Reduces Copra

Output

From Our Own Correspondent TULAGI, October 20.

OUR own entomologist (Mr. Lever) has not so far run to earth the bug, reptile or cussedness that causes Nutfall, which, according to a local authority, reduces our output of copra by fully 5,000 tons per annum.

It is a curious fact that plantations which have had probably thousands of pounds spent upon them in the matter of pest eradication and fertilisers, seem to suffer more from this complaint than those whose owners are unable to afford the luxury. If this is really a fact, it would seem that the coconut resents pampering— at least, on certain lines.

No doubt, we are inclined to be over-fearsome that a pest will spring up in a night and wipe out our industry, forgetful of the fact that it has been exposed to this possibility since Adam.

Certain it is that thousands have been spent on pests that are here to-day and gone to-morrow, so to speak. The chief danger seems to lie in creating new pests which may not be entirely confined to bugs. ===