108 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO GRAPE VINES. 



ossible to get rid of it. It 'increases very rapidly, and in the thick 



rough bark of the Vine it finds, at all times, a 



secure hiding place, so that in winter, be the 



Vines dressed ever so carefully, some individuals 



are almost sure to escape and spread from branch 



to leaf and fruit, and when on the latter they 



cannot be destroyed without damaging the berries. 



We have seen many crops of Grapes so destroyed. 



The course which we here recommend is to take 



the utmost care not to allow the insect to be 



introduced. To destroy it unceasing care and 



perseverance in dressing and washing the Vines 



with insecticides, such as Fir Tree Oil, or a 



dilution of methylated spirits or paraffin will be 



required. 



The Vine Scale (Pulvinaria or Coccus vitis), 



fig. 44. This insect is more common on the 



Fig. 43. MEALY BUG, 



ENLARGED. 



Continent on exposed Vines than in this country. 



It is, however, frequently to be met with in our 



Vineries, and is a terrible scourge, covering the stems at times, and 



also often appearing on the leaves and even on the fruit. The Vine 



scale is found in great numbers on the Continent, especially in the 



south, being known by its large size and the cottony exudation which 



denotes its presence. 



Erineum. This is a general term applied to very peculiar tufts or 

 patches of dirty white hairs that are met with on the under surface of 

 young Vine leaves, and which have the appearance of being of fungoid 

 growth, but which are in 

 reality the results of the 

 attacks of a small mite, 

 Phytoptis vitis. In some 

 cases this is mistaken for 

 the Phylloxera. This dis- 

 ease, although common in 

 some Vine districts on the 

 Continent, where it does 

 considerable mischief, is not Fi S- u - YlNE ScALE OR Coccus (BARGED). 

 often found in our Vineries, < From the Gardeners> A ^ a W 



Professor Planchon recommends, as a means of destroying it in the 

 Vineyards, the introduction of a flock of sheep, after the Grapes are 

 cut, to eat the Vine leaves, mites and all. In this country the only^ 

 remedy is to pick off all the affected leaves and burn them. 



The Vine Louse (Phylloxera vastatrix), figs. 45 to 49. This is the 

 most dreaded and dreadful of all the insects which attack the Vine, 

 and has unfortunately found its way into our Vineries, in many of 

 which it may possibly exist, unrecognised and unknown, if circum- 



