5G 



Canada to Florida, and from the East to the Rocky Mouuiaius, Mr. Kiloy has discov- 

 ered tho true cause to be the Phylloxera. , 



Thirdly. The resistance of certain American vines to the attacks of tho Phylloxera 

 has been noted by Mr. Laliman in P^urope, and by Mr. Riley in America. Shall we con- 

 fide implicitly in the statements of these gentlemen, or shall we inquire into some 

 apparent contradictious in their assertions ? Upon these points I make, from my note- 

 book, the following extract : 



A particular species of vine, special to tho Southern States, and not generally known 

 iu the Northern States, where the climate will not admit of its culture, the Scupper- 

 nong, ( Viiis rotioulifolia,) absolutely escapes the Phylloxera ; and, in all my researches, 

 I have never found it upon either roots or leaves. It is the only vine that possesses 

 this characteristic, and it will, therefore, be the vine-stock to choose as a graft-l)earer 

 of European vines, if certain difficulties can be conquered, that the nature of the wood 

 seems to oi)pose to its multiplication by cuttings and its aptitude to receive the graft- 

 ings of other vines. 



I shall refer again to this entirely new subject, that I have studied with care iu North 

 Carolina, where tho Scuppernong exists in a wild as well as cultivated state. 



Although the Phylloxera attacks the roots and sometimes the leaves of the resisting 

 vines, I will point out those stocks that ought to make excellent graft-bearers of our 

 vines. They are the Concord, ( Fith labriisea,) the Clinton, ( Vilis cordifolia,) the Herb- 

 emont, the Norton's Virginia, and the Cunningham ( ntis a'slivalls.) My detailed ob- 

 servations would permit me to add other names to this list ; but I have purposely 

 limited anyself to the indication of those stocks the resistance of which has been 

 proved, and the introduction of which can be recommended to the vine-cultivators of 

 Europe, as proof against the Phylloxera. 



Upon the question of the attempt to graft European plants upon the resisting vine- 

 stocks of America, allow me to await tho apiiroachiug deliberations of the Central 

 Agricultural Society of Herault, and then to transmit to you for publication the con- 

 clusions which may be reached concerning the stocks to introduce ; the iiractical 

 means of procuring them in good condition ; the modes of grafting by which we may 

 most promptly discover whether the grafting of our vines upon them will give the 

 desired results, or whether it is necessary, in case of failure, to cultivate seedlings of 

 the best American vines. This last resource of direct culture depends upon the locali- 

 ties where the constant presence of the Phfilloxera and the impossibility of submersions 

 will oppose themselves to the culture of European vines. 



Fourthly. The existence in America of an enemy to the subterranean Phylloxera is 

 happily no longer an hypothesis. The active and intelligent researches of Mr. Riley 

 have enabled him lately to discover an flo«r)!S, which justly iWla the role oi cavnibal 

 to the Phylloxera. This acarus, the history of which hsjs not yet been published, but of 

 which Mr. Riley and myself will shortly give an account in detail, is actually living iu 

 my possession, having been captured more than a month ago. It is a kind of Tyrogly- 

 phus, which we have named the Tyroylyphus phylloxera . It is of the same genus as the 

 mite, or flesh-worm of cheest-rind, and like other Tyroglyphs, produces an acarus of a 

 dift'ereut appearence, described under the name of Hypopus. My efforts this winter have 

 been to multiply it in a close box, and iu the approaching spring, I shall endeavor to 

 acclimate it in the soil. 



Although naturalists perfectly understand the importance of the role IJiat these par- 

 asites or cannibals play, in checking the increase of certain destructive insects, it is not 

 well to exaggerate the importance of the acarus that devours the Phylloxera. Upon this 

 j)oint, as well as that of grafting upon resisting stocks, experience alone will i^ermife 

 jjositive affirmations, 



The results of luy mission may be stated in general terms to be : 



1st. The discovery of the absolute identity of the Phylloxera tastatrlx of Europe, and 

 the PemphUius vUifolUv, oi Amexicn; the proofs that the European vines have always 

 failed in the United States, California excepted ; the confirmation of the existence of 

 vines which resist the attacks of the Phylloxera; the discovery that the Scuppernong, 

 ( Viiis rotumVfolia) is not even attacked by this insect, and the introduction of an ac<ii^s 

 that can check the multiplication of this enemy of our vines. 



^d. The consequences of the preceding facts are : the probability of being able to save 

 our vine-stocks from destruction by grafting them upon tho American i-esisting vines 

 that have been named ; and the possibility of cultivating directly these resisting vines 

 and obtaining good stocks, the Norton's Virginia, and tho Ilerbemont, for example. 



I propose to treat the subject of the culture of American vines, and tho nature 

 and fabrication of their wines, in extenso, in a subsequent report. I also intend to intro- 

 duce into the report, a study of the species and varieties of American vines. 



M. Planchon is undoubtedly iu error iu attributiug the failure in the 

 out-door culture of the European grape (or, more properly, the Asiatic 

 grape) in this country solely to the ravages of the Phylloxera. The 

 true cause of this failure is well known to be that of fungoid gro^yth 



