Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-30
Growers In Florida
Ask US. To PayFor
Citrus Destruction

WASHINGTON. D. c., May 3d.
II Is not yet determined that Sec
rotary of Agriculture Hyde will ap-
prove Of the proposal for reimburs-
ing the Florida farmers and fruit
growers for losses incurred and
which may be sustained as a result
Of the destruction OF their crops in
the campaign for the eradication OF
the Mediterranean fruit fly.
Senator Duncan u. Fletcher, who
has taken this matter up with Sec
rotary Hyde, said early this week
that he had not been advised as to
the action. If any. the department
OF agriculture may take. He ex-
planned that legislation of the ma
ture proposed was always best pro-
NOTED II the approval Of the depart
rnent Of agriculture was first OBJ
tanned. as any legislative action
which imposes the task and re-
sponsibility of administration on the
department head is usually approved
beforehand by the Official 50 desig-
mated IN the act. Senator Fletcher
deemed It wise TO ascertain to some
extent the damages TO which farm
ers and growers were fairly entitled
70 before placing this matter before
the senate.
Representative Grail Of California
has introduced a Gill into the sem
ate calling for $4,000. 900 to reimburse
the growers and landowners who
have suffered losses by destruction
OF their crops. He declared that the
only way to KEEP the fruit fly from
other sections OF the country was
TO destroy the crops and trees where
the fly has been found.
WINTER GARDEN. Fla. MAY 80.
Government agencies engaged in
cleaning up the Mediterranean fly
pest IN central Florida have destroyed
approximately 100000 boxes OF late
Valencia oranges and grapefruit.
having a net value 10 the growers
Of 81 0 1000. The eradication forces
have destroyed some other fruit and
vegetables. beside a lot OF ornamen-
tai shrubbery that went in the first
hectic sweep. However, the quaran-
tine officials have modified their
first drastic orders to destroy every
host plant. TO have literally car
ried out this ~far-reaching threat.
would have put Florida completely
off the map.
Notifications OF several kinds
have been announced this week. No
more guava bushes or cherry trees
will be destroyed except with the
permission Of the owners. No other
plants will be destroyed except with
the consent Of the owners. When
these plants or trees bear ripe fruit
or buds which would become host
70 the fruit fly. then they will be
taken are of as the occasion de-
mands. If the fty should develop
a large colony. intensive spraying
with molaSses and arSenate Of lead
will follow. This dose has proven
remarkably successful ND to date.
Should the fly have gotten out of
bounds as far as spraying is con-
cerned. then more intensive meth
DDS would be followed.
The spraying OF the various
Fvanps along the river. as well as
some Of the marshes where plant
life is nrolific. it's done in order 10
fo-estall the chances OF stray flies
landing on palmetto buds. which ex-
ude a sticky sweet Juice at blossom
time. that mlnht be an appetizer
for the fly. No experiments along
that particular Inc N research have
ever been made bv the state expert
ment station. with anv degree or
certainty. hence precautions are be-
Ing taken to fOrestall any chance
OF the swamDs becoming a rendcz-
vous for straw flies.
Changes Snd additions TO the fed
eral restrictions are.
Hold citrus in approved cold
storage. after June Is. or destroy.
s.-Shipment n lines allowed
from Monroe and Dade counties.
3.-Permission 10 use packing
houses in lightly infested zones.
when other facilities are absent. for
packing fruit from surrounding pro-
tective zones.
4-PermiSsion 20 serve citrus and
other host fruits on interstate rail-
road and river diners.
=Prohibiting movement Of host
vegetables or fruits IN bulk BY mail
or auto truck.
Changes and additions 70 the state
plant board rules and regulations in
clude.
IA more complete list Of the