9 



on the subject of the destruction of the fruit pest known as the 

 peach -fly. As this fly exists in some parts of South Africa, and 

 was in fact imported into St. Helena in a crate of grapes from 

 South Africa 25 years ago, your Lordship may consider the 

 information given in the enclosure as worthy of circulation in the 

 South African Colonies. 



I have not yet been able to apply the kerosene remedy in this 

 Colony as the peach-fly does not commence active operations 



before October or November. 



Right Honourable 



I have, &c.y 

 (Signed) H. L. Gallwey. 



The Earl of Selborne, G.C.M.G., 



High Commissioner for South Africa, 



Johannesburg, Transvaal. 



Government Entomologist, Tasmania, to Secretary, 



Department of Agriculture, St. Helena. 



Department of Agriculture, 



Hobart, Tasmania, 



May 24th, 1907. 



Dear Sir, 



Some time ago a communication from St. Helena as to the 

 extermination of the fruit fly was forwarded to me, and in reply I 

 stated that probably the only chance you would have of exter- 

 minating that pest would be by gathering and destroying the 

 whole of your fruit for one season. 



Since then a most remarkable discovery was accidently made 

 in Western Australia, where it was found that pure kerosene 

 attracted the flies. This discovery has since been confirmed in 

 New South Wales and Victoria, so that it is probable that the 

 fruit fly (Halterophora, or Ceratitis capitata) will be attracted by 

 kerosene wherever it occurs. I send you a copy of part of an 

 article from the Journal of the Department of Agriculture of 

 Western Australia (April, 1907, page 245) being so far as I am 

 aware the only official report of its use, although newspaper 

 reports have been plentiful, and I have had several letters from 



various entomologists confirming it. 



I am, &c, 



(Signed) ARTHUR M. LEA. 



(Enclosure.) 



Mr 



pure kerosene oil, when placed in an orchard or garden where the 

 fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) existed, attracted that fly ; and by 

 placing a shallow vessel containing some kerosene in amongst the 

 branches of the trees the flies would be destroyed by hundreds. 

 Mr. H. E. B. Gull, also of Guildford, carried out, simultaneously 

 with Mr. Devenish, promising experiments with kerosene." 



" Since my return to the State, in company with Mr. Newman, 



some 



