MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES. 427 



DESTRUCTION OF WINDFALLS. 



3. Thorough and universal destruction of the windfalls is the most 

 hopeful means of checking the pest. To carefully gather the fallen fruit 

 every day from the early and late varieties, from August 1 to Novem- 

 ber 1, and burn or feed it, would destroy many of the maggots. Sheep 

 or hogs might be allowed the range of the orchard to eat the windfalls. 

 To leave the windfalls on the ground would favor the most rapid mul- 

 tiplication of the pest. It is some trouble to gather the windfalls, but 

 it would be little compared with the benefits derived, if the pest can be 

 checked. This fly annually destroys much fruit in some parts of the 

 State, and its ravages are increasing, and it threatens, unless checked, 

 to be the most serious pest to apple-growers. Its ravages are some- 

 what circumscribed, but it will spread unless checked. Such a serious 

 enemy needs concerted and determined action. The importance of 

 rigidly adhering to this method for at least two years cannot be too 

 strongly urged upon fruit-growers whose orchards are infested with the 

 apple maggot. 



THE HEROIC METHOD. 



4. If the above methods do not succeed, there is a radical one 

 that cannot fail. The destruction of the entire apple crop for one sea- 

 son in the infested districts of the State, by giving the flies no place to 

 rear their maggots, would about destroy the pest. We do not think 

 this will be necessary if the careful destruction of windfalls and infest- 

 ed fruit is practiced. Should such a radical means be necessary, the 

 flies could be allowed to deposit their eggs, and the fruit approach 

 maturity, when it could be gathered and fed and not prove a serious, 

 loss. 



SUMMARY. 



1. Thoroughly and promptly destroy all refuse from infested fruit 

 apple poinace, waste about the house, etc. 



2. Promptly destroy windfall apples and infested fruit. 



3. Destruction should be immediate after the ^st of August, and 

 nothing short of deep burying, burning or feeding to swine or cattle 

 will be effective. 



4. These precautions should be universally adopted. 



5. The sale or importation of infested fruit should be prohibited 

 under severe penalties. 



