Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-09-01
u. FRUIT FLY
STUDY PLANNED
Expert VIII Head Survey of
Mediterranean Basin
Conditions

Especial to The Herald)
WASHINGTON. Aug. 3l.-The
department of agriculture announc-
es that a survey Of the fruit fly sit
uation IN the countries bordering
the Mediterranean is TO be under
taken Immediately. II. j. Quayle.
professor Of entomology. University
Of California, and entomologist OF
the citrus experiment station at
Riverside, has been selected for this
work.
Mr.. Quayle was recently drafted
by the Secretary OF Agriculture 10
be one OF q special committee to
make a study of the fruit fly stu
alton In Florida. He Is especially
equipped for this new detail on ac-
count of persona studies which he
has made OF the Mediterranean
fruit fly in different parts OF the
world, including a rather extended
study in the Mediterranean region
some sixteen years ago for this de-
partment. the results Of which were
published in a department bulletin
OF the bureau of entomology.
Patron Contributes
The present survey Is made pos
sible through the cooperation Of Al
lion ". Armour OF New York. a
wealthy patron of science and a COL
laborator Of the department. who
has for several years been giving
substantial aid TO various research
projects, for the department ard
othefwise, by making available g
weasel which he has had especially
equipped for biological or other SCI
entific and technical survey work
Mr.. Armour, in making this pro-
posal to DR.. c. L. Marlatt. chief OF
the plant quarantine and control
administration. stated that he
wished TO make this his contrlbu-
ton to the fruit fly eradication
campaign.
II was at orce recognized that a
boat so equipped Tor scientific study
on board. OF collected material, and
affording means for prompt move
ment from place 10 place, was an
exceptional opportunity to Get very
much needed information In a rela-
lively short time. M. Quayle was
promptly notified and accepted Mr..
Armour'S offer without hesitation.
he has been appointed an agent of
the department and tie experiment
will be essentially under the olrec-
ton Of the department and for its
benefit The cost OF the expedi-
ton, with tie exception cf tile sal-
AIRY of the research agent. will be
betrayed by Mr.. Armour in so far
as the facilities OF his boat can be
utilized. To enable the acceptance
by Nj. Quayle of this offer, his ap-
preaching Sabbatical year has been
advanced some months by authori-
ties OF the University Of California.
Mr.. Armour will accompany Mr..
Quayle and participate in The work
IN every way possible. u is his in
tention 70 schedule all movements
m the interest Of the research OBJ
ject. This exploration. together with
others Of similar nature which MI.
Armour has hitherto facilitated,
sets q most praissworthy example OF
the diverting OF a natural interest
and means Of gratifying it 10 useful
research objects. The Utowana.
Mr.. Armour's especially equipped
research vessel. left its home port,
New London. Conn Saturday, Aug
ust "a, for Bermuda.
Azores Survey
The program includes a brief
study Of the fruit fly situation in
the Bermuda ISLANDS and continued
at the Azores. with the main work,
however, beginning with the i'm
portant citrus on the Medi-
terraneal coast Of Spain c~entering
at Valencia. Other Mediterranean
countries will be taken UP in sue
cession with stops at important
: points as long as may be necessary
70 secure the desired information.
It Is expected that this stage Of the
work viii occupy most Of the bal
ance Of this year. During tho win
ter months 1t Is probable that MIR.
Quayle will be authorized to carry
his studies to South Africa to cover
fruit fly economics and behavior in
that section during the Fruit har-
vesting months Of January, Febru-
airy and March. The program viii
conclude with a return to the Med
iterranean section in April to COM
plete during the spring and early
summer months the seasonal rec
ord Of the fly in that general re-
gion.
AS a result Of taiS work it is ex-
pected that information will be OBJ
tanned as TO the behavior Of this in
sect under the climatic and other
controlling factors obtaining in such
countries, and also that accurate in
formation will be secured as 20 the
crop losses occasiolei by this pest
and as 10 the means of defense
which are being employed to lessen
such losses.