FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. 19 



unless they keep their trees in good condition they had better get out of 

 (lie business. We have some of these in our locality and they are injur- 

 ing our business. 



The grapes do not have so very many serious insect pests that at- 

 tack them, and yet these pests seem to be increasing every year. I 

 just recently heard of a new insect pest here in Michigan — the root 

 worm. Mr/ Scott, of Washington, who has been conducting an ex- 

 perimental station at Benton Harbor, has discovered them, but they 

 have not as yet got into our locality. We cannot, however, tell how 

 long it will be before they will be with us. It is not an insect that can 

 be controlled by spray, as it works at the root and goes through the 

 cane. 



A gentleman in Pennsylvania told me the only safe way to control 

 it was to keep the ground cultivated thoroughly, so that the worm may 

 he exposed to the air, in which case an exposure of half an hour to 

 the air and sunshine will kill it. The Experimental Station at Wash- 

 ington has given much time and thought to this insect, and so far has 

 discovered nothing in the way of a spray that will control it. The spray 

 might help to kill its posterity; so if you have any difficulty, look out 

 for this worm, for it increases very rapidly. I hope we will not be 

 troubled with it, as it causes great damage. 



The berry moth has been quite troublesome in some localities, is 

 controlable \vith the spray. All trash, leaves, and stuff of that kind 

 should be kept out the vineyard, and in this way insects of this sort 

 will be destroyed. 



The rose bug is another pest that in some localities is quite trouble- 

 some, especially in the St. Joe River district, and there is nothing to 

 control it. The best thing is hand picking, but in a large vineyard this 

 makes it quite a serious problem. 



The Michigan Experiment Bulletin No. 3 of 1909 is a report of some 

 very interesting experiments on the subject of grape culture and the 

 control of pests, and especially the Michigan special bulletin No. 49 

 of 1909; then also the department circular No. G5, of 1909, by Mr. 

 Hawkins, who was here at the summer meeting two years ago, is very 

 interesting and valuable. He has made most extensive experiments in 

 grape troubles, and his work is very valuable. 



As I said before, the most of these difficulties can be controlled by 

 the spray. It has been found, however, that lime-sulphur is of no value 

 whatever. 



I do not think that Berrien county will be found wanting another 

 year. We have outside of Van Buren county the largest acreage of 

 grapes in Michigan. Last year from Benton Harbor, and vicinity 

 there were 3,000 cars of grapes sent out. 



Bad as are the various pests, and new ones coming right along, yet 

 they have not been the most serious menace to the grape growing in- 

 dustry during the last year or so. There is one trouble that handicaps 

 more than these, and that is the question of marketing. Here is where 

 we experience our most serious trouble. The prices last year were so 

 low — through the association bringing only Qy 2 cents — that when I got 

 through I concluded I had not made anything. If we are going to stay 

 in the grape business we have got to wake up and provide some way to 



