222 THE GRAPE CTJLTURIST. 



of the leaves, puncturing and sucking the sap. They 

 may be destroyed by dusting the under side of the leaves 

 with Persian insect powder, or spraying with kerosene 

 emulsion. The common green fly, or aphis, is a well 

 known pest, readily destroyed by fumigating the plants 

 with tobacco, or drenching them with strong tobacco 

 water. Kerosene emulsion may also be used for the 

 same purpose, but whatever insecticide is employed, 

 repeated application will be required to keep any and all 

 species of the aphidcB in subjection. 



The larvae of a small spotted insect called the Lady 

 Bird, or Lady Bug, feeds upon the aphis, devouring vast 

 numbers of them. The Lady Bird is the gardeners' 

 friend, and they should never be killed if it can be 

 avoided. These little beetles are usually red or orange 

 yellow, with small black spots ; some kinds have only 

 two spots, others have as many as nine. They are very 

 common, and many has been the crime that has been 

 laid to them, of which they were entirely innocent. 



The Red Spider (Tetranychus telarius) is one of 

 the smallest insects that infest the vine. It is so very 

 minute that it appears as only a small red speck, and 

 can scarcely be seen by the naked eye. It usually con- 

 fines itself to the under side of the leaf of vines in the 

 house, though it will sometimes make its appearance on 

 vines in small gardens and do considerable damage, espe- 

 cially during long and severe drouths. 



They spin a fine web over the under surface of the 

 leaf as a kind of nest, or protection ; here they live in 

 large numbers, and by puncturing the leaves for food, 

 cause it to turn to a sickly yellow color. The upper 

 surface will show small light-colored spots soon after the 

 spider commences its attacks on the under side. 



A continued warm and moist atmosphere is death to 

 the red spider ; but while we are destroying them, the 

 aphis would be enjoying a most congenial atmosphere, 



