396 AMERICAN GRAPE CULTURE. 



the damage done in this way is quite serious. 

 The worm may be found near the plant, and 

 about an inch under the surface. Young vines 

 in similar condition are also, but not so often, 

 attacked by the wire-worm. The young vine 

 makes a good start, but after a while stops 

 growing, and finally sickens away and dies. 

 The mischief is discovered only when it is too 

 late. The course of the vine is similar to this, 

 also, when the roots are preyed upon by the 

 larva of the May beetle ; but the May beetle 

 preys upon the roots of young and old alike. 



It would be curious to learn how much of 

 the damage to fruit trees, of all kinds, now im- 

 puted to drought, winter killing, etc., really be- 

 longs to grubs of various kinds constantly prey- 

 ing upon the roots, and thus unfitting the plants 

 to withstand changes and extremes of any kind. 

 We are now investigating this interesting ques- 

 tion, and have already reached the conclusion 

 that " drought," " winter killing," etc., are by 

 no means as great sinners as they are made to 

 appear. A " scape-goat" has always been found 

 a convenient animal, and horticulturists have 

 two or three almost as big as elephants. 



Those who wish to make themselves familiar 



