PEAR GNAT MIDGE. 119 
chrysalis state within them, possibly from not being in quite natural 
circumstances; but in regular course, whatever the exact date of 
pupation may be, the Gnat Midges come up out of the ground in 
spring ready to attack the blossom-buds of the Pear. 
The kind of Pear which has been particularly observed as being 
subject to this attack is the Marie Louise. I have also received report 
of it as having ‘destroyed a fine crop of Beaune Bachelier Pears.”’ 
In the past year (1896) the name of the kind of Pear of which infested 
specimens were sent me was not mentioned. 
PrEvENTION AND Remepms.—For preventive measures I do not see 
that any are more available than those that I suggested in my previous 
observations. These were, in cases where the crop is in reach, to pick 
off and destroy (not merely throw aside) the little stunted Pears, and 
also to pick up, as soon as possible, and destroy the small fallen fruit. 
To this, probably the treatment of giving a thoroughly good shaking 
and jarring of the boughs of the infested tree, so as to shake down 
as much of the infested fruit as possible, as soon as possible, would 
probably be a very serviceable addition. Also if previously tarred 
cloth or any rough cheap material was spread under the boughs 
of the tree, so that the infested fruit and the maggots which escaped 
from it might all be gathered up together and burnt, or well shaken 
out together into a hole and well covered down, this would save 
much escape of the maggots. Also spreading a coat of quick-lime 
on a dry day beneath the infested tree, and then slaking it, might 
have a very good effect, and the lime would kill many of the escaping 
maggots. 
Where Pears are grown in grass orchards, a deal of the fallen 
infested fruit would be cleared off by having sheep on the ground ; 
and where the ground below the trees is free of crop, and the Pear 
roots not too near the surface, the plan of skimming the surface and 
destroying the surface earth with its contained infestation would 
answer well. 
The depths given for presence of the cocoons are half an inch to 
two inches, and this might (I believe) often be safely removed; but 1 
would on no account whatever advise the treatment which I see at 
times recommended in this country with regard to clearing infestation 
from soil under trees or fruit bushes, namely, that of digging the 
ground. Such treatment is absolute destruction to the surface roots, 
a large proportion of which lie much nearer the surface of the earth 
than a spade’s depth; and also, although some of the cocoons may be 
buried down so as to be put out of the way of doing mischief, yet a 
large proportion are only scattered about in the soil, and the insects 
develop from them as safely as I have known them to do where the 
