140 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Jury, 1901. 
In my district, of which it is sufficient for me to speak, whole acres of plantations 
of the variety of bananas commonly known as “lady’s finger’ can be pointed to. 
where, in the winter months, not one single bunch can be marketed owing to the 
depredations of these midnight marauders. 
Nor is their attention confined to lady’s finger bananas, as the other varieties 
are readily attacked and eaten; and, what is more alarming, the flying fox is turning 
his attention to the orange crop. Now, in my district, as in others, the orange crop is 
eventually to become the chief and permanent crop, and that we can produce fruit of 
this description to be proud of, is evidenced by the success lately attained by this 
district at our last National Exhibition. 
Therefore, if this important industry is to be materially interfered with by the 
flying fox, the outlook is indeed gloomy. Without dilating upon the damage done by 
this pest, let us proceed to discuss a remedy. 
Some time ago it was suggested that foxes might be exterminated by the 
introduction amongst them of chicken cholera by means of inoculation. Through the 
courtesy of Mr. Pound, however, I find that the experiments carried out by him have 
not been attended with much success, as far as contagion is concerned. We would 
like to see a series of experiments tried, and a thorough trial given to the most 
successful, as the subject is fully worthy of it. k 
Recently, my association applied to the local government to take the matter in 
hand, as apparently it is within their province to deal with the matter. One of the 
members, however, after having discussed the merits and beauties of these lovely 
creatures, moved that no action be taken. His motion was carried. This to show 
that we have no hope from that quarter, at least for the time being. 
It can readily be seen that no good whatever can result from one district acting 
alone, but if a united effort were made surely something could be effected. 
I sincerely hope that the question will be discussed, and some suggestion given 
which shall eventually, by united effort, be successful in eradicating the pest. 
DISCUSSION. 
Mr. J. Rosr, Junr. (Woombye): I do not think it is right to ask the 
divisional boards to take up this matter of flying-fox extermination. Rate- 
payers would not stand it, and we will have to think of some other scheme. 
The one that comes before my mind is to spread some infectious disease among 
the foxes, and I do not see any other way by which we could get rid of them. 
I suffer from flying foxes myself. 1 went down to see a Mandarin tree that a 
few days before had four cases of fruit on it. That morning, thanks to the 
flying foxes, there was not a single mandarin on if. IJ would like to hear the 
views of Mr. Pound upon the idea of a contagious disease being spread 
amongst the foxes. 
Mr. F. W. Peek (Loganholme): Iam very pleased that this matter 
has been taken up, as I know by experience what a pest the flying fox is. 
am rather inclined to agree with Mr. Rose’s views on the matter, and now 
think it is time we approached the Agricultural Department on it. We have 
approached the divisional boards, and it is quite certain that we are not likely 
to get much help fromthem. The winter before last I lost between 600 and 700 
bunches of bananas through flying foxes, but last winter they were not so 
bad. This winter, however, they seem to be worse than ever. 
Mr. H. G. Hanrer (Tinana): Last year up in the Maryborough district 
the foxes did a lot of damage in the orange crop. Being nocturnal visitors, o£ 
course you cannot get much chance of shooting them, and the only thing that 
T can see is to ask the divisional boards to take the matter up. For one board 
to do so would be useless, and it must be taken up by the whole of the State 
at the one time. Perhaps the Department could go into it and devise some 
means whereby the pest might be eradicated. Some time ago I read in the 
Queenslander of a disease that was killing the flying foxes out in the South Sea 
Islands. The Government could find out if there was any truth in that, and 
if so, introduce the disease so that we might get rid of them here. Another 
thing that might be devised would be to explode some noxious gas in their camps- 
Mr. J. Wuirttamson (Beenleigh): This question of the destruction of 
flying foxes is a very important one, and it might be interesting if I give a few 
details of what we are doing in the Logan and Albert. In 1897 there was 
acircular issued from the Agricultual Department informing the divisional 
