188 



The accompanying table from the last report of the Superior Phyl- 

 loxera Commission indicates, better than words can tell, the steady 

 growth in the use of American vines. 



Years. 



881 

 882 

 883 

 884 

 885 

 886 

 887 



American 



vines 

 covered. 



Acres. 

 22, 000 

 42, 700 

 70, 000 

 131,909 

 188, 200 

 276, 900 

 413, 700 

 536. 900 

 719, 500 



Depart- 

 ments. 



On the subject of direct remedies the value of the kerosene emulsion 

 for this purpose has not been properly realized in France, because of 

 the relatively high price of petroleum in her grape-growing Departe- 

 meiits. A series of experiments which I made in 1883 showed conclu- 

 sively its great value for this purpose, as it not only destroys the in- 

 sect in all stages, but also stimulates root growth. 



In this connection 1 have recently had a series of experiments made 

 through Mr. Albert Koebele's agency, in the Sonoma Valley, California, 

 to ascertain the effect upon the Phylloxera of certain of the resin 

 washes which proved so valuable when j^sed against the Fluted and 

 other scalcrinsects. The results have been quite encouraging and the 

 experiments have already shown that in the use of those washes we 

 have a valuable addition to the underground remedies. Soaps were 

 made by the use of bicarbonate of soda, sal soda, and caustic soda, 

 each mixed with resin. In the earlier experiments the earth was re- 

 moved about the base of the vine to a dei^th of 6 inches and for a diam- 

 eter of 4 feet. Ten gallons of the mixture were poured into each hole 

 and found to penetrate from 12 to 10 inches or from 18 to 22 inches 

 from the original surface of the ground. Most of the insects, as also 

 the eggs, were destroyed to a depth of 16 inches. In the later experi- 

 ments the holes were made only about 2 feet in diameter, and nearly, if 

 not quite, the same results were obtained with half the amount, or 5 

 gallons of the mixture. The plan, which I have previously adopted for 

 the application of insecticides to underground insects, of washing the 

 mixture in with pure water was tried with good success. Soon after 

 the first application 5 gallons of water were added, and 5 gallons more 

 the following day. This would indicate that in the spring, when rains 

 are frequent (occurring almost every day) iu the Sonoma Valley, only a 

 small amount of the mixture need be applied, and the rains will do the 

 rest, as examination has shown that up to a certain point each applica- 

 tion of water Intensifies and extends the action of the original insecti- 

 cide. The best soap was made with bicarbonate of soda, but the re- 



