GRAPE PHYLLOXERA. 



AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY PROF. A. J. COOK. AT THE MEETING OF 

 THE SOCIETY HELD AT MONROE IN JUNE, 1875. 



Phylloxera vastatrix. Sub Order Hemiptera. Family Aphides. 



Of course, at this first meeting of our society, after the terrible winter just 

 past, which was unprecedented in its extreme and long-continued cold, the 

 burden of every story will be, "What changes does the new regime necessitate 

 as to our varieties, method of cultivation, and efforts for protection." Yet in 

 this discussion the grape, one of the glories of this whole Monroe region, and 

 which makes a lasting impress on the minds of every one who is so fortunate 

 as to visit this beautiful city in autumn, will receive little space, or attention. 

 Por safely buried beneath the reach of harm or danger, it may laugh at the 

 rude blast, and need not shiver, either with cold or fear, even if the mercury 

 freeze. We have long talked of the apple as the chief pride of the Michigan 

 nomologist, the fruit ever reliable, and of quality the best. But in view of 

 the trying ordeal of the past winter, does not this mantle of reliability at least 

 seem likely to fall to the grape. Besides this luscious fruit, the grape has in 

 our State no codling moth, no borer, no curculio, Avhich as yet cause the 

 pomologist to look anxious. To talk then, of aught relating to the grape, in 

 this favored region, and under such happy auspices, is indeed very gratifying. 



But is the grape free from all danger? The appointment of the Phylloxera 

 Commission in France, and the offer of the princely reward of $60,000 for an 

 effectual remedy of this modern curse of France, Germany, and Italy, would 

 quickly answer the question for those countries. Does the same danger 

 threaten the destruction of our own vineyards? It is the province of 

 entomology to give answer. Eutomology stated years ago that the terrible 

 locust of the west could never devastate regions others than immediately 

 bordering the mountains of Colorado, thus quieting the anxieties of Illinois, 

 Indiana, and Eastern Iowa and Missouri. How truly has time verified those 

 predictions ! Entomology stated years ago just as to the course of the Colorado 

 Potato Beetle, and the statements as to its course and the time when it should 

 reach the Atlantic, have proved so correct as to make men marvel at the 

 prophetic power of science. Let this same science then recount the history, 

 natural history, and habits of this latest comer of the insect scourges to the 

 pomologist, that we may learn what is in store for our vineyards, that if free 



