58 SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT 



Berlandier, and which have Phylloxera galls upon the leaves ; while 

 specimens of riparia in the same collection, and gathered in Mis- 

 souri in 1845, also have the leaves disfigured by the same gall. 



We find, in consequence, that the insect is very generally distrib- 

 uted over the States. I have myself found it in Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, 

 Missouri, Michigan, Ontario, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania 

 and Maryland, and have good evidence of its occurrence in Connecti- 

 cut, District of Columbia, North Carolina, Texas, and as far south as 

 Florida. It doubtless occurs in all the intermediate States. There is 

 every reason to believe, however, that, like so many other animals 

 which occur on the eastern slope of the Rocky mountains, but are un- 

 known on the western slope, this Phylloxera is not indigenous to the 

 Pacific half of the continent. I have, so far, been unable to trace its 

 existence with any certainty in California; and to its non-existence 

 there the Carlifornia grajje-growers doubtless owe, in great part, their 

 success in the cultivation of the European vine. 



Yet I have strong evidence that around Sonoma (20) the insect 

 already occurs, and has done much damage; and it may already have 

 been introduced, either from the Eastern States or from Europe, into 

 other parts of that country. It therefore behooves our friends of the 

 Golden State to carefully look into this matter, and to endeavor, by 

 taking the proper precautionary steps, to prevent a repetition of the 

 disasters which have followed the introduction and spread of Phyl- 

 loxera in Europe. Indeed, unless it shall turn out that their heavy 

 winter rains protect them from its injuries, the grape industry of the 

 Pacific coast is in great danger; and it might be well to follow the 

 example of some of the Australian colonies which have passed acts 

 of Parliament prohibiting the importation of vines from countries 

 where the insect is known to occur. If this is not done, the utmost 

 vigilance should be maintained in the inspection, by competent per- 

 sons, of all imported vines. 



Injury caused by Phylloxera in America. — In this country where, 

 compared with Europe, land is so rich and abundant, we are apt to 

 think lightly of injury to our crops, except when such injury becomes 

 very great and wide-spread. It is a fact, long ago remarked by Dr. 

 Fitch, State Entomologist of New Y'^ork, that while in Europe the 

 whole people become alarmed if a fifth of a given crop is destroyed 

 by insects, the farmer here often thinks himself fortunate if he can 

 save half the average yield from insect depredations. Vines have died 

 year after year in our vineyards and very little notice has been taken 

 of the fact; while certain varieties have continually failed until they 

 have come to be discarded as unprofitable and useless. (21) Yet the 



