SUMMARY OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 65 
SUMMARY OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 
In summing up the measures which will prove most instrumental 
in the eradication of the fig moth, we find that they fall into two 
classes — those of prevention and those of destruction. In the first 
class there are four very important measures to be observed: (1) 
The rapid disposal or destruction of the June crop of figs; (2) the 
covering of the figs at night while on the "serghi"; (3) the screen- 
ing of the fig "depots" in the interior; (4) the prompt delivery of 
the figs to the " khans " after they are gathered. These are all ex- 
tremely difficult to enforce, especially in a country like Turkey, where 
superstition is the ruling law of the lower classes. Without special 
legislation on the part of the Turkish Government we can scarcely 
hope for any decided change, for some time to come, in the customs 
that now prevail. The last of these four measures of prevention — 
the prompt delivery of the figs to the packers — should be insisted 
upon in so far as possible. Since dependence must be placed upon 
destroying the larvae in the figs, it is highly desirable that the larvae 
be no older and larger than necessary when killed, if it is intended to 
save the appearance of the fruit. 
Of the three methods mentioned for destroying the fig-moth larvae 
in the "khans" — by steam, hot water, or dry heat — it remains for 
the packers to demonstrate by actual experience which is the more 
practical. Experimentation has shown that each method has its ad- 
vantages, and each is capable of eradicating the larva? under proper 
conditions. It would be well to determine the temperature and 
length of exposure necessary to kill the " worms," and leave to the 
option of the packer what method he maj^ prefer. It must be em- 
phatically understood that prompt and decisive action is necessary 
on the part of one or both of the Governments interested if any 
decided improvement is to be expected in the present methods of 
manipulation and packing of figs, of a character that will insure their 
freedom from larvae. 
o 
6794°— Bull. 104—11 5 
