182 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 
sharp sand, would not leave any cracks by which it could find its way beneath the 
surface. Again, the same means would be available for preventing its spreading. 
It appears that the way it spreads from one locality to another is, that at 
certain seasons of the year some of the insects become possessed of wings. 
These then come to the surface and deposit their eggs on the leaves of 
the vine, being often carried to some distance by the winds, and by this 
means alone it would appear that the diseased area becomes enlarged. Now, 
the same plan that would prevent the insect from descending to the roots 
would also still more effectually prevent these winged Phylloxeras from com- 
ing to the surface and extending the area of the disease. 
Unfortunately, notwithstanding the attention that has been given to the 
subject in Europe, the natural history of the insect has been but imperfectly 
elucidated. Perhaps when we come to know more about it other means may 
suggest themselves for controling its progress. Up to the present time no 
remedy has been found for it, and if I may be allowed to express an opinion 
on the subject, it is because it has been looked for, I believe, in the wrong 
direction, by endeavoring to destroy the insect on vines that are already dis- 
eased. For reasons above stated, I believe this to be impracticable. The 
plan, I think, that will be found available, will be to give up the vines already 
attacked, and endeavor to preserve those which are not already infected. 
Dr. Blake read the following paper: 
On the Reimer Grape. 
BY JAMES BLAKE, M. D. 
In a communication I read before the Academy, last November, I related 
some analyses that I had made of the juice of different varieties of grapes, 
more particularly in relation to their fitness for making wine. Amongst the 
grapes anaylzed was one called the Reimer, in connection with which the fol- 
lowing facts may be interesting: The day after I had received the grapes, the 
proprietor of the vineyard called on me, and on looking over the grapes that 
his manager had sent me, told me when he saw that there was a sample of 
the Reimer amongst them, that there was no necessity for me to analyze that, 
as he had given orders to have all the vines of that variety to be destroyed. 
As I, however, had already commenced the analysis, I went on with it, and 
discovered that this grape was possessed of what I considered the best prop- 
erties for wine making. On making this discovery, I requested the owner of 
the vineyard to have some wine made from the juice of this grape unmixed 
with any other. This was done, and although it is yet rather early to judge 
of the wine, yet it certainly, at present, promises to be the best California 
made wine I have yet tested, and orders have now been given to preserve 
every shoot and sprout of the Reimer for propagation. It is certainly the 
most desirable grape for California that I have yet met with. Itisa very free 
grower, and I believe even a more prolific bearer than the Mission grape. It 
will be seen by the analysis, published in the last volume of the proceedings, 
