66 PEAR. [1900 



In tlie following note from Oakleigh, Ross, Herefordshire, sent me 

 about ten days later — that is, on May 28th — by Mr. H. F. Getting, it 

 is observed that the application of kaiuite (when followed by dry 

 weather) did no good ; also that the fruit of as many as thirty 

 "Pitmaston Duchess" Pear trees was remarkably severely attacked. 

 Mr. Getting remarked : — 



"I am sorry to say that the Pear Midge grub is just as bad as 

 ever with us this year, notwithstanding that all the ground under Pear 

 trees was given a heavy dressing of kainite last year early in June. I 

 do not know if the very dry weather after application rendered it 

 inoperative ? Mr. Campbell and I decided, as the soil at Glewstone 

 did not suit pears, to remove all but about thirty fine Pitmaston 

 Duchess trees last winter. These trees, which are left, have a heavy 

 set of fruit, and, as far as I can judge, nearly every fruit is attacked. 



" I may mention there is a garden within one hundred yards, in 

 which there are Pear trees attacked with the Midge ; also old Pear 

 trees in orchards within half to three-quarters of a mile. 



*' I may mention I sprayed the Pear trees when the blossom was 

 in bud this spring with paraffin and soap emulsion, but without bene- 

 ficial result."— (H. F. G.) 



On June 5th, after communicating with Mr. Getting, he wrote me 

 that he purposed to-morrow to hand-pick the pears, which, as far as 

 he could see, were all attacked by the Midge Maggot. "Also," he 

 mentioned, " I am endeavouring to induce my neighbours to do like- 

 wise. This is a more difficult matter, as some of the trees are old 

 orchard standards." 



This matter of clearing infested fruit before the maggots are 

 leaving it to shelter in the ground is the point of all others to be 

 attended to as a certain preventive, but one that, for a good many 

 obvious reasons, it is often very difficult to carry out fully. 



In the following letter, sent me by Mr. F. W. Thomas, of Wannock 

 Gardens, Polegate, Sussex, on (I think") the same day as the preceding, 

 he particularly draws attention to the importance of clearing infested 

 fruit, and was exerting himself personally to make a " broadscale " 

 clearance in the neighbourhood : — 



" Notwithstanding all trouble taken last year the Pear Gnat Midge 

 has made its appearance again this spring, and trees which have 

 hitherto escaped are affected. I have cut down and burnt all large 

 trees, and have picked all the fruit which shows that the maggots are 

 within — they are easily distinguished from the rest — so I am in hopes 

 of not leaving a single fruit in the neighbourhood to make stock for 

 next year. I have also got permission to go round all the gardens in 

 this district and gather all pears which show signs of the pest." 



' The date was accidentally torn off. 



