OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 55 



Since the discovery of this Phylloxera-feeding Tyroglyph in 

 America, numerous sensational and exaggerated newspaper articles 

 have appeared, glowingly describing how the French vineyards are 

 to be saved from Phylloxera ravages by the introduction into France 

 of this its enemy; and 1 have received several orders from Europe for 

 supplies of the cannibal. Prof. Planchon, it is true, will attempt to 

 introduce it, and we may hope with suceess; but from what is here 

 said, it is evident that the enthusiasts who expect so much are doomed 

 to disappointment. 



Direct Remedies. — The leaf-lice, which do not play such an import- 

 ant part in the disease as was at first supposed, may be controlled with 

 sufficient ease by a little care in destroying the first galls which ap- 

 pear, and in pruning and destroying the terminal growth of infested 

 vines later in the season. The root-lice are not so easily reached. As 

 the effort will be according to the exigency, we may very naturally 

 look to France for a direct remedy, if ever one be discovered. But of 

 all the innumerable plans, patented or non-patented, that have been 

 proposed; of all the many substances that have been experimented 

 with under the stimulus of a large national reward, no remedy has yet 

 been discovered which gives entire satisfaction or is applicable to all 

 conditions of soil. Nor is it likely that such a remedy ever will be dis- 

 covered. A large majority of the remedies proposed, such as ihe plant- 

 ing of Madia satlva- among the vines to catch the insect by its viscous 

 property, or inoculating the vines with the essence of Eucalyptus 

 rjlohulus^ are, upon their face, unworthy of practical consideration, or 

 absurd. These we will pass by, and briefly mention only those wliich 

 have been more or less productive of good. 



Submersion, where practicable, and where it is total and suffi- 

 ■ciently prolonged, is a perfect remedy. This is what even the closest 

 student might expect, as he finds that excessive moisture is very dis- 

 astrous to the lice. M. Louis Faucon, of Graveson (Bouche du Rhone) 

 France, has abundantly proved its efficacy, and has, by means of it^ 

 totally annihilated the insect in his vineyard, which was suffering from 

 it four years ago.(18) From his experience we may draw the following 

 conclusions : 



1. The best season to submerge is in autumn (September and 

 ■October), when the lice are yet active and the vines have ceased 

 growing. Submergence for 25 to 30 days, at this season, will gener- 

 ally rout the lice. 2. A submerg&nce of 40 to 50 days, in winter, is 

 required, and even where the water is allowed to remain during the 

 whole of this season, the vineyard does not suffer. [I should consider 

 this very doubtful.] 3. A vineyard should never be inundated for a 

 longer period than two days in summer, or during growth ; and though 



