STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 183 



Unnoticed and unseen, our microscopic louse is at work. It exists 

 in two distinct forms, as I have described it. Tlie gall form was long 

 known to do considerable damage to certain kinds of vine, through their 

 foliage. The root form was never suspected until I discovered it. It 

 was imported into England and France in 1863, but did not attract 

 attention until 1868. The lack of their natural jjarasites, of which there 

 are quite a number, the different mode of culture, the greater tenderness 

 of the European vines, made the mortality very great. 



This insect, therefore, is an American insect ; but it was studied in 

 foreign lands before its existence in its native country was suspected. 



The Franco-Prussian war has terminated, and the indemnity has 

 been paid in so short a time as to excite our wonder and surprise ; and 

 yet this little Phylloxera continues its devastations, and costs unfortunate 

 France million of francs annually. The last German soldier has been re- 

 moved — at a terrible cost it is true — but the Phylloxera remains, and if 

 they could, at the same price, rid La Belle France of it, the riddance 

 would be cheaply bought. If the government of France had known of 

 the danger in importing our vines, without examining them, as it now 

 understands it, this plague might have been kept out of her vineyards. 



So it is with all insects ; they are small objects, it is true. As you 

 look at these insects (on the diagrams) they appear large, but the louse 

 itself can only be seen by the miscroscope, though its work may be noticed 

 by the naked eye. It was described by Dr. Fitch, who never thought 

 that it existed in the roots of grape-vines. 



During this time, a serious disease of the grape-vine developed in 

 France, and the Minister of Agriculture offered a prize of 20,000 francs 

 for the discovery of a remedy, and a special commission was appointed to 

 attend to the matter. 



The disease is in the form of little cankerous spots, which cause the 

 spots to rot. You may imagine how little the true nature of this disease 

 is understood, when I say that notwithstanding all that has been written 

 for the last three years, thousands and thousands of francs have been spent 

 in France to find a remedy. I am happy to say that we have now what 

 we think is a remedy — this is the Bisulphide of Carbon. This remedy, 

 so far, has proved effectual in killing the lice. It is a very volatile litpiid, 

 and is put in three or four holes around the vine. These holes are stopped 

 up rapidly, and the vapor from it carbonizes the insect, and does not 

 hurt the vine. 



Mr. Barler — How about a direct application ? 



Mr. Riley — There have been all sorts used, but none so effectual as 

 this last one which I have mentioned. 



Mr. Barler — Is there any danger of mistaking these galls for any 

 other ? 



Mr. Riley — None. 



