GRAPE PHYLLOXERA. 347 



roots, some from the single eggs laid by the true females, others from eggs 

 deposited by the apterous agamic root lice, while still others immigrated 

 from verdaut homes among the leaves, seeking these underground abodes 

 that they may be free from the perils of winter's storms. Speaking of 

 these young lice, and their habits in spring. Prof. Riley says : " All, so far as 

 I have seen, become agamic mothers and assume the degraded form," — 

 wingless root form already described — "one generation of the mother form fol- 

 lows another, — fertility increasing with the increasing heat and luxuriance of 

 the summer, — until at last the third and fourth has been reached, before the 

 winged lice make their appearance, in the latter part of June or early in July.'* 



These root forms seem no less discriminating than the leaf forms, as they at- 

 tack certain varieties of grapes, leaving other varieties almost entirely alone. 

 Those varieties which seem the most susceptible are the foreign grapes, varieties 

 which have sprung from the species Vitis vinifera. Those which seem exempt 

 from the leaf forms are unable to sustain the ravages of the root forms, and 

 utterly perish in two or three years after they are attacked. The first year only 

 the small roots are affected ; these become covered late in the seasons with 

 nodosities or swellings. The second year these die, and the main roots present 

 a similar appearance, consequent upon being punctured, — the leaves look yel- 

 low, — while the third year frequently witnesses decay of the mam roots and 

 death of the vines. Of vines grown in our own State, the Catawba and lona 

 seem most susceptible to attack from the root lice. 



With the exception of the lona, Diana, and Delaware, all the varieties recom- 

 mended by this society resist pretty well, as does the Norton's Virginia, which 

 is considerably grown about this place. 



It will be seen that these root forms are not like the leaf forms, compara- 

 tively harmless, but are exceeding harmful, and unless they can be checked, 

 either by nature or art, bid fair to exterminate one of the most important in- 

 dustries, or at least change it materially by effecting a wholesale change of 

 varieties in those regions where this industry assumes the greatest proportions 

 and highest importance. 



It may be asked why it is, if the above statements are correct, that Europe 

 has so long been exempt from this terrible scourge. I answer, for the same 

 reason that the Rape butterfly, the currant slug, and the more noted Colorado 

 potato beetle, have not been injurious to our interests at an earlier date, or 

 this same grape pest detrimental to the grape interest of our own California, 

 where foreign grapes are grown with a success unsurpassed, simply because 

 they were an importation from our own country, and had not been earlier in- 

 troduced. Had entomological science been fostered instead of derided, the 

 full history of the Phylloxera might have been earlier discovered, and by the 

 caution which knowledge would have induced, one of the most serious plagues 

 the world has yet seen might have been held at bay, and property of untold 

 value saved to the world. It yet remains to be seen whether wisdom will pre- 

 vail, and our own golden shores of the west saved from a like calamity. To 

 any of us who have been so favored as to behold the magnificent vineyards of 

 Los Angelos, Santa Clara, and Sonoma, the above question comes with telling 

 force and significance. 



It may have occurred to some of you to ask, why it is that this insect, which 

 is so great a plague in Europe, has not worked similar injury to American 

 grape culture, having, as before stated, co-existed in our country with the 

 grape perhaps from the first. To answer with absolute correctness would be 

 impossible. 



