J/^/y 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 583 



from rigid application of the methods ndvocated by the Entomological Branch 

 for checking fruit flies and codling mcjth. These methods are embodied in 

 the Regulations above indicated. 



Tiie scheme was initiated in a conversation with Mr. Thacker, President, 

 Miranda School of Arts, where I had delivered a lecture on "Fruit Pests." 



After inspecting various Curabei-land and Nortliumberland orchard districts, 

 Gosford and Narara was chosen as presenting a somewhat isolated district 

 with codling moth and badly infested with the three species of fruit flies : — 

 Geratitis capitata, the so-called Mediterranean Fly, and the commonest in 

 our orchards; Dacus (Tephritix) trijoni, the Queensland Fly; and Trypeta 

 psidii, the Island Fly. The flies have every opportunity for increase there 

 as there is a very great variety of fruits grown ; and, moreover, wild fruits 

 abound in the district, growing in some cases a few hundred feet from the 

 orchards. 



Dacus trijonl and Trypeta psidii have beea bred from three species of wild 

 fruits in the district, viz., native plum or black apple [Sideroxylon australe), 

 berries of white ash {Schizo7ieria ovata), and wild black fig (Ficus stephano- 

 carpa). There is, therefore, opportunity to test if reinfection from wild 

 fruits annuls to any great degree the value of the work done in the orchards 

 to check the fly. It is thought not, as the two species of fly attacking the 

 wild fruits are not nearly so prevalent in the orchards as the Mediterranean 

 Fly ; and, further, if reinfection from the bush wei-e frequent, it is thought 

 not to be so serious as reinfection from the infected fruit neglected within 

 the orchard, and, therefore, destruction of infected fruit within the orchards 

 would still reduce the fly considerably. 



Below is printed a cii'cular sent to every grower and person concerned 

 ^about 120) in the Gosford-Narara district, and which indicates the points 

 to be investigated : — 



o^ 



Entomological Branch, Sydney, New South Wales, May, 1908. 

 Control of Fruit Flies and Codling Moth in the Gosford and Narara D:stricts. 



CuMMEXCiN'u from this month tlie Minister for Agriculture has arranged that the 

 Entomological Brancli will carry out practical oiDerations during the next two years to 

 check and control fruit flies and codling moth in the Gosford and Narara districts. 



Universal destruction of all infected fruit, on or off the trees, and spraying and 

 bandaging for codling motli are the only methods known to checl? these pests. So long 

 as any infected fruit is left undestroyed, so long is the fly going to continue and increase, 

 and it is the only way in wliich this and simihxr pests can increase. Similarly codling- 

 infected fruit, and the grulis in the Imndages must be destroyed, or the moth will not be 

 checked. These principles are now recognised by all intelligent growers, and the people 

 of Gosford and Narara will be glad to learn that the object of the present undertaking 

 is to demonstrate in their district, and record for the information of the growers 

 throughout the State, that fly and moth can be controlled by the above methods. 



The inspection and requirements in tlie orchards and shops will be exactly the same 

 as in other districts under the Regulations of the Fruit Pests Act, 1006. A small 

 insectary will be erected at Narara, at a central spot, and experiments and thorough 

 inspection will be made under the direction of Mr. Gurney, Acting Entomologist. The 

 inspection of the orchards and shops wdl be undertaken by Mr. Gallard, Fruit In.spector. 



