FRUIT PESTS IN MEW ZEALAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13861, 26 March 1907, Page 5

FRUIT PESTS IN MEW ZEALAND.

THE BIOLOGIST'S REPORT, (PER UmTF.tf PRESS Assocutiok.) • WELLINGTON, March 25. ill - Kirk, the Government. Biologist, states that, tho outbreaks of fruit, fiy aft both HawkeVßay and Marlborough wer* very limited. He has just returned from .Christolmrch, where there was to bo a conference of inspectors, hut the advent of the Mediterranean fly brought about, an alteration of programme. The exports at oncc became Inisy with the task of checking the fruit destroyers, and strict watch is being- kept on email areas where tho pest has appeared, and orchards, war ihreo mfectod are also under clow scrutiny. Tlio authorities are taking such drastic measures to obliterate the noxious invader that tho biologist anticipates that lie will be able to stamp it out. This is done by boiling or burning tho fruit of tho infected orchards and sprinkling kerosene on tho ground under the trees, for the maggot makes its way from tho fruit, into the earth, from which it emerges as a full blown .fly. It is considered l advisable not to destroy all the fruit, in an att'eotcd area at- once, but lo leave some to ripen, so that, flies which may escape from the ground may be inclined to lay their eggs in tlio fruit near them in preference to flying furl her afield. Mr Kirk also says that when tho maggot comes out of an orange it might take shelter ill tho dust, or litter in a caseHowever, when a consignment is condemned the whole of it, including the ca6es, is carted io a. furnace and destroyed. Somo months ago, Wellington fruit dealers endeavoured to get the Agricultural Department lo allow "picking over" among' Sydney oranges which had received attention from Hip fruit fly, and to support, their case thev urged that sorting was permitted with shipments from the. Cook Islands. Tlio regulations have been altered 6ineo thai; tame. _ When the Cook Islands were annexed to this colony they became a part, of New Zealand, and were not subjected' to tlio full forco of the regulations framed for tho treatment, of imports from over seas, but now all imported fruit is served alike.