FERTILISING THE FIG.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 103, 24 January 1908, Page 2

FERTILISING THE FIG.

'In-the December "Journal of the 'Wcstorn Australian Agricultural Department"appears a nolo in fctic annual report, of the Under-Secretary, Mr. A. Despeissis, M.R.A.C., as to tho introduction by him, \vitli Mr. Compere's corporation, a fevt yoars ago, of specimens of the fig caprifyirig wasp, an inscct which i 5 instrumental in fertilising tho strange flower of tho fig. There arc fig trees in Now Zealand that rarel.v mature their fruit, an impotency which is attributed to faulty fertilisation. ' Probably if wo had the fertilising wasp hero the trouble (which, is not of serious importance) would disappear. Mr. Compere, who is'touring various countries _ in tho • search for friendly insects for his* own country and California, cost his Government lastyear £440. "Ilis work," says Mr. Despeissis, 'Ms of very great importance to the whole of Australia. An effort' made to enlist tho practical co-operation of the eastern States, in sharing in the cost of tho work undertaken for, tho benefit of all, has failed to meet with response." The other States have sent Mr. Froggatt histoid.