2 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 



English vineries, crossed the Channel to Ireland and the Reorders to 

 Scotland. We have recently heard of its fatal effects in a good many 

 of the English counties. We have no conclusive proof up to this time 

 that it exists in any place in Scotland except Drumlanrig, although we 

 have heard of the Vines in several places in Scotland having in some 

 cases died outright, and in others being curiously affected. Though 

 such circumstances are suspicious, it can only be hoped that it is not 

 the result of Phylloxera. 



After the most careful observation, we have come to the conclusion 

 that there does not exist in British gardens another insect that can be 

 compared to Phylloxera, in the rapidity and certainty with which its 

 work of destruction, in the case of the Vine, is carried on, nor one that 

 is so difficult to combat successfully without the most prompt and 

 ultra means. And in the interest of British Grape-growing, all who 

 have any knowledge or experience of this destroyer should proclaim 

 its whereabouts, and record their experience and observations ; and 

 at the same time, and above all, give it no quarter by risking its ex- 

 istence by any half-measures, but remorselessly stamp it out as the 

 most formidable pest that ever found its way into a vinery. Indeed, 

 we do not know that it is not a matter quite worthy of being dealt 

 with as the rinderpest in cattle has been dealt with by the powers 

 that be. 



It will be in the recollection of many of our readers, that in the 

 'Gardener' of 1869 (page 202), illustrations of this insect are given, 

 and a paper which originally appeared from the pen of M. J. E. 

 Planchon in the ' Comptes-Rendus de ITnstitut ' is translated. The 

 history and habits, as far as then known, of the pest, are there 

 minutely described. 



Regarding the appearance of the insect, and the rapidity with which 

 it multiplies and devours its prey, the writer's observations are correct ; 

 but we differ to some extent on the theory which he propounds as to its 

 mode of attack. We refer to the article in question for the entomology of 

 this little devourer, and will now detail some of our observations as to 

 its effects, its mode of attack, and circumstances which favour its 

 spread, &c. We may here state that not one of the observations to 

 which we refer has been intrusted only to one pair of eyes, and that all 

 that will be related has been corroborated by two and sometimes more 

 observers. The insect is so minute — less than a cheese-mite — that all 

 observations have to be microscopic. 



The first warning that some evil was present in a vinery erected 

 in the autumn of 1869, and planted in 1870, was, that two Vines at 

 the end of the house, and that grew with great and satisfactory vigour 

 all through 1870 and up to the midsummer of 1871, soon after the 



