"570 



FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



this pest has been especially severe. A French entomologist, M. de la 

 Blanchfere, has observed that this cochineal bug has itself an enemy or 

 parasite in a species of Syrphus, which places its larviB near the unde- 

 veloped bugs, upon which the larvae feed. To tliis valuable auxiliary 

 the same author attributes the disappearance of this pest from certain 

 parts of the Mediterranean coast. De Breui) recommends sprinkling 

 the trees attacked by the cochineal bug and larvas with a solution of 

 lime. 



Among the Diptera the only known dangerous enemy of the orange 

 grower is the Geratitis Hispanioa, commonly called mosca del naranjo 

 (Anglice, fly of the orange tree). This fly deposits it larva- in the pulp 

 of the fruit, which is thereby prevented from developing, and generally 

 drops from the tree in an immature state. The full-grown insect is about 

 one-half centimeter in length ; it is black in color, having, however, yel- 

 lowish-white spots and striae; its wings are transparent and crossed 

 transversely by four yellow and black bands ; the abdomen is pedunc- 

 ulated and spherical at the posterior end. The female is provided with 

 a " borer," with which it pierces the rind of the fruit, in order to deposit 

 its ova therein ; the larvae feed upon the pulp, and cause the fruit to fall 

 off and decay. The orange grower can only protedt himself against this 

 insect by great watchfulness in at once removing all the attacked fruit, 

 and thereby preventing excessive propagation of the pest. 



Laying out the orchards. — In the province of Seville, and Western 

 Andalusia generally, the usual distance between the trees is 8 meters. 

 In localities where the trees reach a good size it is advised to enlarge 

 the distance to 9, and even to 10 meters. Of course, with small or dwarf 



A - 



Mfti'oo real. 



varieties the intervals may be decreased. In Valencia and Oastellou C 

 meters is the usual (listanc(>. At intorvalsof 8 meters tliere will be 15(> 



