* 57 



upon the foliage. It is purely a climatic iuliiience, as totally indepen- 

 dent of any insect as was the destruction of European vineyards in 1845 

 by the Oidium. 



In the summary of his observations, M. Planchon refers to the meas- 

 urable absence of the Phylloxera in California. It is remarkable that 

 he did not note the evidence in the case, as the European grape is 

 almost exclusively cultivated there ; and consequently it might be 

 expected that the Phylloxera would be more plentiful there than here, 

 where the foreign grape is not generally cultivated. In this particular 

 M. Planchon has evidently been misled by Mr. Kiley, whom he quotes 

 as his authority for the statement relative to the cause of failure with 

 the foreign grape. 



It may also be questioned whether the selection of our native varieties 

 of grapes that are comparatively free of the disease, as made by M. Plan- 

 chon, agrees with the numerous observations of American grape cultiva- 

 tors. Certainly, all recorded observations go to prove that the smooth- 

 leaved species and varieties of our grapes are more generally attacked 

 than are those with pubescent foliage. The Clinton, a variety of Vitis 

 riparia, is particularly subject to attack, yet M. Planchon iucludes this 

 variety in the list which he recommends for importation into France, as 

 resisting the attacks of the Phylloxera. As a strong growing stock to 

 graft upon, it is undoubtedly meritorious, much more so, indeed, than 

 some other varieties in his list. 



W. S. 



FACTS FROM OFFICIAL SOURCES. 



Jute. — North Carolina. — A. planter, writing from North Carolina, 

 says that he planted the jute-seed, furnished by the Department, May 1. 

 The ground was prepared as for cotton, and the seed dropped 12 inches 

 apart ; land, moist bottom, and, as the spring was a very wet one, the 

 seed lay dormant for three weeks ; consequently, a good stand was not 

 had. The plant grew to a height of 13 feet, with limbs from 5 to 7 feet 

 long. The plat was plowed twice, and hoed once. It was cut October 

 1 and thro\^ into water, where it remained to rot three weeks; the 

 bark was th^ easily stripped from bottom to top. A specimen of the 

 fiber was exhibited at the State fair, and pronounced very fine by per- 

 sons who were familiar with its culture, having seen the plant and fiber 

 in their native habitat. Our correspondent is of the opinion that the 

 bottom lands of North Carolina could be made to produce, by liberal 

 manuring, as much as 3,000 pounds of fiber per acre. It was troubled 

 by no insects; besides, he had a cotton patch by the side of the jute, 

 and no caterpillars made their appearance to disturb the cotton : while 

 in other fields they destroyed several acres in a week. 



Georgia. — A planter in Georgia, who has succeeded well in an experi- 

 ment in raising jute, says that if 5 cents per pound can be netted, more 

 can be made by raising jute than cotton. He planted about the 1st of 

 May ; the seed germinated freel^^, and the plants grew finely on rather 

 poor land, attaining a height of over 10 feet by the 19th of September. 



Louisiana. — Mr. Le Franc, President of the Jute and Ramie Company 

 of New Orleans, has sent to the Department, for its museum, five speci- 

 mens of jute and its fabrics raised and manufactured in Louisiana. 

 These consist of jute filament, rolled, after cleaning by machinery; jute 

 rope, crude or unrotted, as it comes from the machine; and jute rope 



