THE VITICULTURAL INDUSTRY. 
2. Elephant Beetle—This pest still takes a large toll of the 
district fruit. The life history and the seasonal changes have long 
been known. Destruction of the tamarisk hedge in the winter 
time, when they contain the larve of the pest in great numbers, is 
the essential first step. These hedges should be destroyed between 
the months of April and October, in order to kill the larve before 
the insects emerge. 
3. The Light-brown Apple Moth—The grub of this little moth 
is very destructive, on sultanas particularly. Two broods were 
reared last year, within the month after the first setting of the 
berries. One grub in captivity was found to destroy over 40 berries. 
As the grub is minute in size, and commences its attack when the 
berries are first formed, close inspection will be necessary to detect 
it. In nearly every case, its method of attack was to bore a hole 
through a newly-formed berry from side to side. Spraying with 
arsenate of lead (2 lbs. in 30 gals. of water) was completely success- 
ful in dealing with this pest. 
4. Collection of Insect Pests—The suitable cases have been 
obtained, and placed with Myr. French, at the Science Branch, 
Department of Agriculture. Mr. French is kindly supplying 
mounted specimens of the various insect pests affecting fruit trees, 
vines, and citrus trees. These cases, when completed, will be per- 
manently on exhibition at the Experimental Farm, and should have 
an economic as well as an educative value. 
Frurr Drytna. 
This problem is rather one for the grower than for the experi- 
mentalist, although some useful work still remains to be done. 
The practice of “ over-cracking” fruit is followed in many eases. 
Quicker drying is certainly obtained, but over-cracking results in 
“ candying ” when packed, and the stickiness of the sample increases 
possibility of attack from moulds and insects, including the grub 
on dried fruit, and causes adherence of dust. 
A useful range of experinients were conducted last drying season 
dealing with the following points :—- 
1. Relationship of the density of the grape juice, and the 
strength and temperature of the caustic soda solution 
which cracks very slightly. 
2. Relationship of the density of the grape juice, and the loss 
of weight on drying. 
3. Determination of a field method by which strength of dip — 
can be kept approximately constant. 
4. Relationship of strength and temperature of dip to the colour 
of dried product. 
Results of this work will be published at a later date, as it would 
be unwise, and possibly misleading, to give results from one year’s 
drying only. 
At the request of the Institute of Science and Industry, the Director 
of Agriculture (Dr. S. S. Cameron) has kindly consented to the services 
of several experts of the Victorian Department being placed at the 
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