00 THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF 



(p. 66.) he is reported as being much inclined to discard it, his objec- 

 tion being that itis ''troubled by the apple-worm" — by which is doubt- 

 less intended, the Grape-berry Moth. 



There is some difference of opinion among botanists and expe- 

 rienced grape-growers as to the number of indigenous species of the 

 Grape-vine, and as to the true character of some of the cultivated 

 varieties. Some botanists are inclined to the opinion that we have 

 but two, or even but one, species; and certain it is that the fertile 

 character of the hybrids would lead to such an opinion, if infertility 

 of hybrids is to be taken as a test of specific character. But it is 

 more generally accepted that we have four distinct species ( V. labrus- 

 ca, cesthalis, cordifolia and vulpina) and this view is held by most 

 western men,* and is perhaps warranted when we reflect that the 

 very term species is but arbitrary, and that fertility of hybrids is not 

 valued so much as an indication of specific identity among plants 

 and some of the lower animals, as it is among more highly organized 

 beings. 



As already stated, our Grape leaf-louse is now principally con- 

 fined to varieties of the Frost Grape;f but as it has been found in 

 limited numbers on Iona and Concord, which are considered as varie- 

 ties of the Northern Fox, and on the Delaware, which is considered 

 either as a Summer Grape or as a hybrid between the Summer arid 

 the Northern Fox, I fear it may yet spread and become injurious to 

 these species. Morever, now that we know that our insect is identi- 

 cal with that of Europe, there is also great danger that it will attack 

 all hybrids with the European Vinifera, some of which, as the 

 "Goethe," now promise well. Thus the reasons for discarding the 

 Clinton and other Frost grapes become multiplied, for their cultiva- 

 tion may endanger the whole grape-growing interest of the country. 

 On entomological grounds, I say emphatically to western men, do not 

 plant any more Clintons, and get rid of those you now have as quickly 

 as possible. 



At the recent meeting of our State Horticultural Society at St- 

 Joseph, some little discussion followed a paper which I read on this 

 gall-louse and 1 was pleased to find that Dr. C. W. Spaulding, well 

 known as a successful and experienced grape-grower, together with 

 many other members, fully concurred in the advice here given. He 

 had examined many of his vines, after his attention had been called 

 to the matter, and found that the lice were found principally on the 

 roots of old vines, and not on those of young ones. At this meet- 

 ing it was almost unanimously agreed that the Clinton was compara- 

 tively worthless and should be done away with, but a few of the more 



*See Husmann, "Grapes and Wine"; Flagg, Hearth and Home, Sept. 3, 1S70; Spaulding, Lec- 

 ture delivered at the Illinois State Fair, 1870. 



| Though Gray considers the Clinton a variety of the JUIivr.lis, it is more generally con- 

 sidered as belonging to Cordifolia, which its great liability to the gall-louse would indicate. 



