44 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA: 



suspended in trees, be adopted ; and I have no doubt as 

 to the value of this recommendation. The Italians have 

 mixed wood-tar with soda crystals, making a perfect 

 solution for spraying, a system which Mr. Try on informs 

 me has lately been published. 



The shelly covering of the chrysalis renders it 

 practically impervious to any liquid application, but if 

 the ground is dug up or raked, so that the chrysalis is 

 exposed, it dries up and dies. When the fruit drops to 

 the ground, it is virtually caught in its own trap. Then 

 is the orchardist's opportunity. If the infested fruit is 

 gathered at least daily and destroyed, the development 

 of another batch of flies is prevented. Burning or 

 scalding would be most effective, but, as this is not always 

 a convenient method, it would be well to keep an open 

 trench about three feet deep in which the fruit should be 

 buried and a covering of the earth rammed down. 



Another effective way, as Mr. Tryon thinks, would 

 be to place between the trees some caustic substance 

 which would destroy the tender maggot, and he has 

 found ordinary gas-lime and muriate of potash very 

 efficacious. Gas-lime should be spread to a depth of 

 one inch. 



Dr. Cobb, who has had many opportunities of dealing 

 with the pest in New South Wales, is not enamoured 

 of the system as above recommended, and counsels 

 constant cultivation so as to kill the grubs and papae 

 below ground. 



Finally then, the only effectual plan is to carefully 

 examine the growing fruit, also any which may be sent 

 to the Melbourne markets from affected areas. In the 

 case of growing fruit, the trees should be examined as 

 often as possible, especially when near the time of the 

 fruit changing color for ripening. Upon examining 

 ripe fruit, peaches especially, very close observance will 

 be necessary, as the indications to even a trained eye are 

 most difficult of detection. Should any outward signs 

 present themselves, either as punctures or premature 



