225 



Lichteustein observes the insect is not found in sandy soil, and pro- 

 poses dressing the vine-roots with sand by raising them as far as possible 

 and placing a layer of sand in tbe hole before relaying them. 



Thenard, in 1873, found that the vapor of carbon disulphide pene- 

 trated the soil to a considerable distance from the place in which the 

 liquid was deposited, killiug the iusect and its eggs; but it also destroyed 

 the vines, so that it can only be applied when necessity arises for the 

 exterm'nat'on of the pest. 



In the report of Dumas to the Paris Academy of Science, June 4, 

 187J:, the following summary remedial measures are recommended : As 

 preventive, when the plague first appears, all infected stocks should 

 be dug up and burned, and the soil thoroughly i)oisoned with carbonic 

 disulphide or some of its alkaline salts. Heavy manuring and the ap- 

 plication of poisons is recommended when the evil has obtained 

 such foothold as to render its extirpation doubtful. New vineyards 

 should only be planted on sandy ground or ground that may be flooded. 



So little has been accomplished byway of remedy, that, in consideration 

 of the frightful loss resulting in 1874 from the rapid spread of the Phyl- 

 loxerciy the Fi-euch government offered a prize of 300,000 francs for a 

 successful cure. The insect has totally destroyed 200,000 hectares of 

 vineyards in tbe valley of the Rhone, and has attacked nearly a million. 

 It was observed in the forcing-houses of Eugland and Ireland, by West- 

 wood, in 18G3. The Austrian department of agriculture was informed 

 of the advent of the Phylloxera in France by the zoological-botanical 

 society of Vienna, in 1869. The managers of the crown-lands and the 

 agricultural societies in vine-growing districts were immediately re- 

 quested to carefully watch for symptoms of the scourge, and the import 

 of vines from France to the school at Klosterneuburg was prohibited. 

 But early in the summer of 1873 Dr. L. Eosler discovered the iusect in 

 the experimental garden of pomology at Klosterneuburg, on some un- 

 healthy-looking Clavner stocks, whose backwardness had been attrib- 

 uted by the working gardeners to the want of the usual protection of 

 snow the preceding winter. About three klafters distant were a num- 

 ber of American vines of the Clinton variety, partly from Baden and 

 partly direct from North Hoboken, in New Jersey, planted before any 

 suspicion had arisen that the Phylloxera was introduced from North 

 America. But notwithstanding these and all other American varieties 

 grew with wonderful luxuriance, an examination of their roots proved 

 them to be completely colonized with Phylloxera. Baron Von Babo, 

 director of the school, considers this fact as establishing a strong j)rob- 

 ability that the insect was introduced by the American vines, but of 

 course it is impossible to assert it as a positive fact. 



During 1873 no perceptible increase of the malady in the exi)eri- 

 mental gardens was observed. Every conceivable method of combat- 

 ing the pest was adopted, and Dr. Eosler reported that vines which in 

 1872 were evidently attacked appeared to be freed from it, and were 

 pushing vigorous young roots, especially where manure was dug in 

 deeply. • 



But in 1874 a mild winter was followed by a notable increase of the 

 insects. Cold winters and wet summers are hence considered as detri- 

 mental to its extension. Also, this year, tbe appearance of the winged 

 form gave rise to dread of its rapid extension ; examination with the 

 microscope proving that at least a part of the flying insects were females 

 laden with eggs. Notwithstanding the persistent efforts to unveil its 

 life-history, it is only recently we are enabled to present a detailed 

 account. 



