128 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



the insect does not like cold and wet. Prompted by 

 this observation, some pieces of roots literally covered 

 with the insects were steeped in clean soft water, and 

 they were all dead in from forty-eight to sixty hours. 

 So that any one receiving vines who has any dread of 

 this pest, would do well to steep them in a tank for 

 four or five days. I also found that three hours' 

 exposure to 4 or 6 frost effectually destroys it ; and 

 pieces of fresh roots densely covered with it were left 

 exposed to the air in the vinery, and in two days 

 they were all dried up and dead. Roots were also 

 done up in brown paper without any soil, and they 

 died in the same space x>f time ; in fact, seemed to 

 evaporate. A few drops of carbolic acid in a wine- 

 glassful of water proved instant death to them, and a 

 very weak solution of Condy's fluid had the same 

 effect. In fact, everything that I have learned of this 

 insect goes to prove that it is very easily killed when 

 it can be got at. 



Numerous experiments have been tried to see if it 

 would attack or live on other fruit-trees besides the 

 vine. A currant-bush and a fig were planted among 

 the roots of the vines on which the insect was in 

 legions. These fruits were allowed to remain in the 

 vinery for weeks, and they pushed out quantities of 

 young rootlets into the very centre of the pests' 

 strongest hold, but not one insect could be found 

 adhering to either the currant or the fig. A young 

 vine planted where the insect was not considered so 

 numerous was attacked by it in legions. Pieces of 

 vine - roots swarming with the pest were laid on a 

 board, and around them and touching them were 

 placed fresh pieces of the roots of the peach, the 

 cherry, the pear, the gooseberry, black currant, and 



