^12 Journal of Agriculture. [8 May, 1907. 



the visitation uf these pests, nor ha\-e our Gbser\ations led us to come to 

 anv other conclusion. Tlie .same mav be said of neglect of cultivation, but 

 in this case we have the additional loss due to the fact that the fruit saved 

 is of an inferior quality only." 



BefoTe concluding this article, it ma\- be remarked that there have been 

 nian\- supposed cases of fruit fly damage within the State ; but upon 

 investigation the trouble ihas l>een found to- have been caused by insects 

 wiiich have nothing in common whate\er with the true fruit-flies, either in 

 point of size, or general appearance. When, however, we take into 

 consideration the terrible ravages for which the real fruit-flies are respon- 

 sible, (I am afraid to quote Mr. Tryon on some of these losses) it is no 

 wonder that growers are on the alert, as thev undo'ubtedlv should be, 

 and that upon the faintest suspicion of the pest in the orchard or elsewhere, 

 it is earnestly hoped that the entomologist will be immediately communi- 

 cated with so that the pest may be tackled prompth' as was done here 

 on a previous occasion, also in Tasmania, where this scourge of the fruit- 

 groAver has been stamped out, let us 'hope, for good. 



The grave importance of the subject of the ravages of fruit-flies must 

 be my excuse for having devoted so much space as is here allotted to it. 

 I feel sure that as we are now called upon to face the fruit-fly difticultx . 

 we are at least armed with the best experiences which have been obtained 

 both in the orchard and in the field. The improved methods of examining 

 fruit imported into our State, and which methods are now at our disposal, 

 will without doubt minimhze the danger of introducing, through the agencv 

 of fruit or cases, fruit-flies of any kind whatever. 



The Mediterranean fruit-fly has now made its appearance in New 

 Zealand, and when we know that this pest thrives in the elevated Armidale 

 district of New South Wales it is idle to suppose that it will not thrive 

 in the comparatively genial climate of Victoria. 



In conclusion, it may be pointed out, that the use of second-hand fruit 

 cases may become a prominent factor in the distribution of the fruit-flv 

 throughout fhe State. 



In dealing with the fruit-flv trouble now amongst us, the co-operation 

 and assistance of all growers is solicited, and growers may rest assured that 

 this new pest will receive no quarter at the hands of the Entomological 

 Branch ; we must rely upon the patriotism of growers in present unaffected 

 districts to looic with a friendly eye upon the apparent neglect for a 

 time of more fortunate growers, as the Field Inspectors will have all 

 lihey can do to prevent this pest from being firmly established in our State. 



