204 THE GRAPE CULTUKIST. 



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 were destroying him, the aphis 

 would be enjoying a most congenial atmosphere, conse- 

 quently we must resort to other means than mere atmos- 

 pheric changes to destroy any of these pests. Sulphur is 

 the best remedy with which I am acquainted, and the one 

 upon which gardeners mainly depend. It may be dusted 

 over the plants, or be scattered on the soil beneath them. 



When used in the house, the usual method is to place it 

 on the return flue or pipes, being careful not to place the 

 sulphur where it will become so hot as to take fire, for in 

 that case the fumes will destroy the plants as well as 

 spiders. There is but little danger of its taking fire if 

 placed on the return flue, as the heat will usually be just 

 sufficient to slowly melt the sulphur, and cause it to give 

 off its fumes slowly. 



Sometimes the sulphur is mixed with soft soap and water, 

 and a little clay added to make the composition of the con- 

 sistency of thick paint ; this is then applied to the pipes 

 and flues, when the sulphur is slowly evaporated and 

 continues giving off its fumes for a long time. The con- 

 stant fume of sulphur is not needed in a house ; besides, it 

 is very disagreeable. 



VINE SCALE. 



The Vine Scale, Coccus vites, is occasionally met, but 

 it is not common. To the unassisted eye it appears to be 

 nothing more than a small scale without the least appear- 

 ance of life. The scale is the shell or covering of a very 

 minute insect that pierces the bark of the young shoots 

 and sucks its juices. A strong solution of potash say one 

 pound dissolved in two gallons of water, will quickly de- 

 stroy them. 



