306 



Beetles on Strawberries. 



[AUG., 



tendency to decay or to become over-ripe on the part of the 

 fruit. 



It is common knowledge that the decay of ripe fruit originates 

 from bruises or wounds on the surface, and thence rapidly 

 spreads both internally and over the surface. Unfortunately it 

 is not so generally known, although equally true, that the decay 

 of the bruised or wounded part is entirely due to the presence 

 of the germs of fungi or bacteria, which develop rapidly, feeding 

 on the sugar or other substances liberated from the bruised 

 tissue. Fermentation and decay follow and quickly spread 

 from one fruit to another. 



Similar treatment might be applied with advantage to certain 

 tropical fruits that do reach us in fairly good condition, as 

 bananas, where too frequently the unsightly and injurious 

 blackened "skin," caused by an external fungus, could be 

 easily prevented. Apples, pears, oranges, lemons, &c, would 

 also repay similar treatment. 



The method of treatment described below is very simple, 

 inexpensive, and perfectly free from danger. 



In the case of fruits where every part is eaten, as straw- 

 berries, &c, the fruit should be immersed for ten minutes in 

 cold water containing 3 per cent, of commercial formalin 

 (= 40 per cent, of formaldehyde). On removal immerse the 

 fruit for five minutes in cold water, and afterwards place it on 

 wire-netting or some similarly open material to drain and dry. 



When the fruit has a rind or " skin " that is not eaten, the 

 immersion in water after treatment in the formalin solution can 

 be omitted with advantage. 



Various other preservatives were tested, but when the whole 

 of the requisite points — efficiency, ease of application, cheapness 

 and absolute freedom from danger arising from its use — were 

 taken into consideration, formalin stood first. 



The family of Ground Beetles is one which on account of 



the carnivorous habits of the majority of its species is considered 



economically useful; but there are three 



Beetles on species, viz., Harpalus ruficornts. Pterostichus 

 Strawberries. * = £ / u . u 



vulgaris, and Pterosticmis moaiaus, which 



are well known and proved enemies of strawberries and 



