Much attention has been given to the vineyards infested by phylloxera. 

 In some instances the patience of the owners has been wearied by the 

 questions asked. It was ascertained that in some instances high fertiliza- 

 tion and very thorough cultivation were tried, but the ravages of the 

 disease continued just the same. One or two flooded their vineyards 

 with water, where it could be done, but this did not tend to check the 

 deadly work of the disease. Bisulphide of carbon was tried, but it 

 proved too expensive, and is not known to have done much good. Such 

 efforts to save vineyards were exceptional cases. Most grape growers 

 have made no effort whatever at special treatment, either digging out 

 the infested vineyard and planting the ground to something else, or 

 replanting with resistants as the old vines have died. 



From the best information obtainable, I conclude that the first ap- 

 pearance of phylloxera in this county was in the Dresel-Gundlach 

 vineyard, a few miles south of Sonoma, in 1874 or 1875. There, much 

 money was expended on suggested remedies and in experimenting with 

 resistants. In time all the old vines were destroyed and resistants 

 took their place, and the vineyard is now in a very flourishing con- 

 dition. 



From this old and noted vineyard the phylloxera has extended north 

 some twenty miles. At Glen Ellen it crossed over into Bennett Valley 

 some five or six years ago, through which it has entered northward 

 several miles. Three years ago the disease made its appearance in the 

 Upper Russian' River Valley, in the vineyards of L. G. Ellis and C. P. 

 Moore. These vineyards are about three miles apart, and the river 

 flows between them. Mr. Ellis can offer no explanation for the appear- 

 ance of the insects in his vineyard, unless it was brought there with 

 some cuttings received from a district in which phylloxera has since 

 shown itself. Mr. Moore shipped some of his grapes to a winery in an 

 infested district a few years ago, and he thinks the troublesome insect 

 may have been carried to his home in the boxes returned. There are 

 one or two other vineyards in the neighborhood of that of Mr. Moore 

 in which a considerable number of vines have died, but the owners 

 attribute the loss to other causes. 



The work of destruction is very apparent in the extensive vineyard 

 owned by J. G. Fair in Vallejo Township. One field of nearly forty 

 acres is badly infested, and a single spot of a few rods square was found 

 in a neighboring vineyard. 



In all other sections of the county the vines were found to be healthy, 

 except an occasional touch of black knot. The people owning vine- 

 yards on the deep sandy loam that predominates in Analy Township 

 are quite hopeful that vines in soil of that character are safe from 

 attacks of phylloxera, but those cultivating the heavier loams do not 

 speak with as much confidence. Within a few days, men who pro- 

 nounced their vines healthy two months ago have reported the recent 

 appearance of phylloxera in their vineyards. 



In the Sonoma Valley a considerable number of resistant vineyards 

 have been planted, but many old vineyards have disappeared and their 

 owners have abandoned the culture of the grape. In other portions of 

 the county there is much talk of turning attention to other crops. 

 Grape growers are generally much discouraged some on account of the 

 ravages of the phylloxera, and others at the low prices which have long 

 prevailed. While a few have added somewhat to their vineyards and 



