THE PHYLLOXERA 91 



hectares in the plain of Ganges showed diseased grapes. In 

 these vineyards the harvest was reduced about one-half. Imme- 

 diate and energetic steps were taken to exterminate the fungus, 

 but in 1886 it again appeared. The season proved to be dry, 

 however, and very little damage was done. The area of distri- 

 bution was, nevertheless, considerably extended. On July 25, 

 1887, Prillieux received diseased grapes from Azen, in Lot-et- 

 Garonue, and was directed by the minister of agriculture to 

 proceed to the infected district. He found that black-rot existed 

 throughout the entire valley of the Garonne as far as Aiguillon. 

 In some vineyards it was so well established that there appeared 

 to be no doubt that the disease had been present at least a year 

 before its discovery in 1'Herault; it was consequently impossible 

 to determine the first place of infection in France. The disease 

 was new, and at the first not very serious, so that its presence 

 had been overlooked perhaps for more than one year." 



But the greatest consternation has been caused, in 

 European countries, by the furious spread of the phyl- 

 loxera. This insect was introduced into France in 

 1863 on vines from the United States, but it was not 

 discovered until some years later. About 1865, the 

 root disease which it produces began to attract atten- 

 tion, and so violent was its spread that the French 

 government expended large sums to stamp it out, and, 

 finally, in 1874, a reward of 300,000 francs was offered 

 for a satisfactory remedy. About 1870, the cause of 

 the disease was determined; and then it was found 

 that the root -louse is the normal form of an insect 

 which also produces galls upon the leaves. This leaf- 

 gall form of the insect was described in New York 

 by Dr. Asa Fitch in 1854. It is not our purpose to 

 follow the fortunes of the phylloxera in its triumphant 

 march over Europe. It is enough to say that there 

 are no remedies which can be universally applied. In 

 this dilemma, the French turned to America to dis- 



