AND WINE MAKING. 75 



CHAPTER XVII. 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE GRAPE. 



As the most destructive of all, because it works chiefly 

 underground, and the mischief it does will only be per- 

 ceived in its effects, I may consider the Phylloxera vasta- 

 irix or grapevine-root louse. Concerning the exist- 

 ence of this pest, we have for a long time been ignorant, 

 until the efforts of our State Entomologist, Prof. 0. V. 

 Riley, and of other entomologists, especially Prof. 

 PJanchon, of France, have enlightened us upon the 

 subject, and made us aware of the danger threatening 

 our vineyards, but especially those of Europe and Cali- 

 fornia, where the vinifera class had so far been cultivated 

 almost exclusively. It threatens now to sweep out of 

 existence that whole class, and it is a very noteworthy 

 fact that from this country, from which the fell destroyer 

 was imported into Europe, should also come the only 

 effective remedy so far found, namely, the introduction 

 of phylloxera-proof varieties of vines, which are found 

 chiefly in the cestivalis and cordifolia (or riparia) 

 classes. All other remedies, except inundation, seem to 

 have failed, and Prof. Planchon, in a letter to me, ex- 

 presses his firm belief that the only hope of saving that 

 great source of wealth to the French nation, their vine- 

 yards, is in the introduction and general cultivation of 

 our phylloxera-proof varieties of the grape, first as a stock 

 to graft the vinifera upon, and secondly to cultivate our 

 grapes for their fruit, if they can find varieties which 

 will make such wines as the popular taste there demands. 

 With this object in view millions upon millions of 

 American cuttings and plants have already been imported 



