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PHYLLOXERA. THE WINGLESS 

 1 " "FEMALE ' 



the young vine leaves as a delicate white weft of filaments which send suckers into the leaf 

 cells, absorbing nutriment from them. It rapidly spreads over the surface of the plants and 



finally attacks the grapes themselves, causing them to become 

 spotted and at last completely withered. The fungus is prop- 

 agated by means of spores which are found in chains on 

 delicate filaments which project from the surface of the plant. 

 In 1892 another means of reproduction was discovered in 

 Europe, but that already described is by far the most im- 

 portant. The most effective means of checking and even 

 preventing this disease has been found to consist in puffing 

 flowers of sulphur on to the plants before the dew has 

 evaporated. 



" Black rot," caused by the attacks of another fungus, 

 Laestadia (Pkysalospora) Bidwillii, affects all young organs 

 and shoots of the vine. The grapes first show signs of the' 

 disease when about the size of peas, and later they fall off, 

 either singly or in clusters. Black rot is one of the most 

 dreaded of the vine diseases in America, and although it has 

 been observed in France, the fungus has as yet done com- 

 paratively little damage in Europe. Spraying the vine with 

 the solution of copper sulphate (blue vitriol) and lime known as 

 " Bordeaux mixture" is generally recommended as the most 

 effective remedy. 



" Anthracnose "of the vine, known on the Continent 

 as " brehner," " pech," and " charbon," has also caused 

 great losses. The fungus, Phoma (Sphaceloma) ampelinum, 

 penetrates the leaves, bark and grapes, and kills the tissues. 

 On the leaves and- grapes sunken dark spots occur, and later 

 the spots, when dried up, drop out of the leaves. Spraying with 

 solutions of copper sulphate appears to be the best remedy. 



Among other -fungi attacking the vine may be mentioned 

 Peronospora viticola, a pest closely allied to that causing the 

 disastrous potato disease ; arid Dematophora necatrix, which 

 causes a very destructive root disease often confused with that 

 resulting from phylloxera. 



The Harvest 



When the grapes are ripe the gathering begins, but in some 

 of the hotter districts the grapes are gathered before reaching 

 full ripeness in order that the tartness may preserve the wine. 

 For some liqueurs, on the other hand, it is necessary to have 

 a large amount of sugar and alcohol in the fruit, and hence 

 for these wines the grapes- are gathered when somewhat over- 

 ripe. As soon as the grapes have been picked they are 

 transferred to cellars to await the first processes in the manu- 

 facture of wine. Before dealing with this subject, however, it would be well to mention 

 that no small proportion of vine-growers devote considerable attention to the cultivation of 

 grapes suitable for the table. Spain furnishes supplies of excellent dessert fruit, and the 

 hot-house grapes of England, Belgium, and the Low Countries are world-famous, especially 

 those of England. One of the finest varieties of table grapes is the Chasselas of Fontaine- 

 bleau, which owes its name to the celebrated vine in the Royal Park at Fontainebleau. The 



PHYLLOXERA. THE WINGLESS 



. MALE 



PHYLLOXERA. WINGLESS FORM 

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