Il8 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



outright, and in others been curiously affected. Al- 

 though such circumstances are suspicious, it can only 

 be hoped that it is not the result of Phylloxera. 



After the most careful observation, I have come to 

 the conclusion that there does not exist in British 

 gardens another insect that can be compared to Phyl- 

 loxera, in the rapidity and certainty with which its 

 work of destruction, in the case of the vine, is carried 

 on, nor one that is so difficult to combat successfully 

 without the most prompt and ultra means. And in 

 the interest of British grape-growing, all who have any 

 knowledge or experience of this destroyer should pro- 

 claim its whereabouts, and record their experience and 

 observations ; and at the same time, and above all, 

 give it no quarter by risking its existence by any half- 

 measures, but remorselessly stamp it out as the most 

 formidable pest that ever found its way into a vinery. 

 Indeed I do not know that it is not a matter quite 

 worthy of being dealt with as the rinderpest in cattle 

 has been dealt with by the powers that be. 



It will be in the recollection of many of our readers 

 that in the ' Gardener ' of 1869 (page 202), illustrations 

 of this insect are given, and a paper which originally 

 appeared from the pen of M. J. E. Planchon in the 

 ' Comptes-Kendus de 1'Institut' is translated. The 

 history and habits, as far as then known, of the pest, 

 are thus minutely described : 



" I will here give a brief resume of all I learnt about the habits 

 of the Phylloxera vastatrix from a series of observations made on 

 the spot, in three short visits to the south of France ; also all I 

 noticed with reference to the specimens which I kept in glass 

 bottles during forty consecutive days. 



" Its best-known form is that in which no trace of wings can 

 be discovered. When the insect is about to lay its eggs (that is, 

 in its adult female state), it forms a small ovoid mass, having its 



