30 
AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
Tlien a year elapsed without result. None of the caprifigs on the inclosed 
tree were stung by the Blastophagas, or if stung no larvae developed so far 
as Mr. Roeding could observe, although subsequent developments would 
seem to indicate that there is a possibility of a partial establishment of the 
species from the spring of 1898. 
In the meantime Mr. Swingle had been transferred to the Section of Seed 
and Plant Introduction of the Division of Botany, and commissioned as an 
agricultural explorer to work on the introduction into the United States of 
desirable plants, with all traveling expenses paid. In the course of his work 
he went to Greece, and from there sent additional varieties of caprifigs to 
this country, which were forwarded to Mr. Roeding and planted under differ- 
ing conditions. 
In the winter he went to Algeria .and sent other cuttings and one large 
caprifig tree 10 feet or more high and perhaps four inches in diameter. This 
was also sent to Mr. Roeding, and, although the long journey had apparently 
reduced its vitality so much that Mr. Roeding feared that it would not live, 
it was planted, and at latest advices is in excellent condition. As the spring 
opened Mr. Swingle again began his sendings of the gall figs, packed as 
before, and which as before were placed by Mr. Roeding under the artificial 
enclosure. On March 31, 1899, six boxes of caprifigs were received by the 
writer and forwarded to Mr. Roeding; on April 5 one more box, and on April 
6 the eighth and last. On April 6 the first boxes were received by Mr. 
Roeding. The fruits seemed to be in excellent condition. He cut several 
open and found them full of Blastophagas in the pupa condition, All of the 
figs were cut open and placed under the covered tree. 
It must here be said that none of the persons connected with the work had 
much hope of the establishment of the fig insect by this method on account 
of previous failures. It was tried because the opportunity offered and because 
of the variations referred to in the method of packing and the careful tent- 
ing of the single tree, in the 'hope that some might succeed in finding fruit of 
the right size for entering and for oviposition. Mr. Roeding, in acknowledg- 
ing the receipt of the sending of March 31 and promising to cut them open 
and put them under the covered tree, said: “But I anticipate no results, and 
I do not think a success will be made of this matter until fig trees with, fhe 
figs attached .are sent out here during the winter months.” Most of the figs 
shipped from Washington on the 5th and 6th of April arrived at Fresno in a 
decaying condition. 
In view of everything which has so far been said in this paper, the pleas- 
ure of the writer on receiving the following telegram from Mr. Roeding will 
readily be understood: 
Fresno, Cal., June 23, 1899. 
Dr. L. O. Howard, Chief Entomologist, Washington, D. C.: 
Great surprise. Blastopliaga developed in caprifigs. Send instructions. 
GEO. C. ROEDING. 
This was followed on the next day by the following dispatch: 
Fresno, Cal., June 24, 1899. 
Dr. L. O. Howard, Chief Entomologist, Washington, D. C.: 
Twenty figs tented tree; insects pupa state; one fruit outside; winged 
insects now escaping; fruit hanging Smyrna tree; letter and fig mailed. 
GEO. C. ROEDING. 
