REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I904 381 



in that vineyard were badly wounded in the spring of 1903, and 

 had the pest been allowed to breed in abundance through that 

 summer, we are quite confident that a large proportion of the 

 vines would have been almost ruined because they were not in a 

 condition to withstand another attack. The prompt removal of 

 a very large number of the insects allowed the vineyard to recupe- 

 rate. We have been observing from season to season other vine- 

 yards where the insect has appeared in destructive numbers and 

 caused considerable loss, practically making it impossible to recure 

 any crop for several years. Such vines, having been cultivated 

 and fertilized liberally, appear to be returning, though slowly, to 

 a nearly normal condition, and in another year or two it may be 

 expected, unless they are again injured by large numbers of the 

 pests, that full crops may be secured. The principal factors in 

 restoring a vineyard suffering from root worm attack, is first to 

 see that it is largely freed from the insects and then assist the vines 

 to regain strength by good cultivation, liberal fertilizing, and 

 specially by trimming severely, so that a large amount of the 

 vine's energy will not be absorbed in making useless wood. The 

 process of restoration may occupy two, three or possibly four 

 years, dependent very largely on the severity of the initial injury 

 and also on the care and cultivation given. It is much more 

 satisfactory and profitable to check this insect before serious 

 damage has been caused. 



Recommendations. There is no doubt as to the value of cultiva- 

 tion for the destruction of pupae, and wherever the beetles are 

 at all "abundant we would advise as heretofore, that vineyardists 

 plan if possible to have a ridge of firm earth at the base of the vines 

 either in the fall or early spring, and to remove the same with a 

 horse hoe or other implement when the great majority of the 

 insects are in the "turtle" or pupal stage, which is normally from 

 the first to the middle of June. 



This measure may well be supplemented by destroying beetles, 

 either by the employment of a beetle catcher or with an arsenical 

 spray. The use of the former is preferable in all vineyards where 

 the insects are very abundant and particularly where the vines 

 are growing vigorously. The latter may be employed with safety 

 wherever the vineyard is not badly infested, and particularly on 

 vines not growing rapidly. This is specially advisable where the 

 berry moth is at all prevalent, because there is no doubt but that 

 the poison kills over half of these insects, and this benefit should 

 be taken into account when deciding on the method of destroying 



