MY VINEYARD. 125 



Farther than this, the fruit may be easily covered, should 

 an untimely frost occur. A small quantity of fruit might 

 be grown in this way. A trial of it would be worth mak- 

 ing in a cold locality. 



Diseases. — The grape, in common with all cultivated 

 fruits, is liable to disease. In any given locality, it seems 

 to confine itself to certain varieties ; while in other locali- 

 ties these varieties may Avholly escape and others be at- 

 tacked. My vines have never been diseased until the 

 past season, Avhen a few were attacked by mildew, and a 

 few by rot. The injury, however, was very slight, al- 

 though a more unfavorable season could scarcely occur. 

 Most every thing mildewed more or less — even the grow- 

 ing corn in the field to some extent. I apprehend there 

 are no remedies for any grape diseases. Prevention is 

 what should be looked to. It may be effected by thor- 

 ouo'h underdraining^ and careful tillao^e. 



o o o 



Insects. — There seems to be no animal or plant which 

 is not designed for other animals or plants to live upon. I 

 remember on one occasion seeing a beetle in my hot-bed, 

 so loaded down with lice that it could scarcely move. 

 They were literally eating it alive. But what was my 

 surprise on looking closer, to see upon these lice numerous 

 smaller ones engaged in the process of devouring them. 

 I do not know how much fxrther the system would have 

 been revealed by the aid of tlie microscoj^e. The vegetable 

 world has to stand a double portion, it being not only 



