4 BULLETIN 161, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



the escaped Surinam cherry (Eugenia micheli) and a small species of 

 prickly pear (Opuntia) are to be found in varying numbers. In the 

 Tuckerstown district the former is quite abundant, while the latter 

 is plentiful in sandy locations, as noted especially in Southampton 

 Parish along the south shore. The soil of Bermuda, being very shal- 

 low, does not support dense vegetation. Cedar trees are so generally 

 distributed over the islands that the landscape, as viewed from a 

 tower, appears blackened by them. One can often walk among them 

 long distances, as distances go in Bermuda, without seeing a single 

 tree bearing fruit subject to attack. Often the cedar, fiddlewood 

 (Ciiharexylum quadrangulare) , the oleander (Nerium oleander), the 

 Lantana (Lantana odorata and L. crocea), the life plant (BryopJiyUum 

 calycinum) , grasses, and a few weeds are all that one sees. Some of 

 the small islands of the group were found to support nothing subject 

 to attack. In and about Tuckerstown and the adjoining limestone 

 region the vegetation is more dense, and progress through the woods 

 is made difficult by the presence of rocks and vines. In this region 

 are to be found many neglected bittersweet oranges, whose fruits, 

 according to Col. W. E. Winter, are quite eagerly gathered for 

 marmalade, although often the trees are difficult of access. 



It was found that the principal fruits supporting the fruit fly in 

 Bermuda were: 



(1) The loquat or Malta plum (Eriobotrya japonica), which ripens 

 during January, February, and March. 



(2) Peaches, which ripen during late March, April, May, June, and 

 early July. 



(3) Surinam cherries (Eugenia micheli), the first crop of which 

 ripens during May and the second crop throughout summer and early 

 fall. 



Director of Agriculture Wortley informed the writer that the cul- 

 tivated bell pepper was also a source of food for the fruit fly during 

 the summer months. 



AMOUNT OF FRUIT. 



No large amount of fruit subject to infestation by the fruit fly is 

 to be had in Bermuda at any season of the year unless it be during the 

 time when Surinam cherries are in season. It would not be just to 

 Bermuda horticulturists for one visiting these charming islands for 

 so short a time during the winter to state that many of the more 

 tropical fruit trees appeared stunted and grown only with great care 

 in favored gardens; yet it so seemed to the writer. It would be very 

 easy to count the number of apple, guava, mango, and bestill trees 

 (Thevetia) in the islands. One common guava was pointed out in a 

 beautiful garden as a curiosity. Only one winged kamani, one sweet 

 almond (Terminalia) and one apple tree were seen. The avocado, 

 citrus, papaya, and peach trees were more numerous, though by no 



