AND ITS RELATION TO ANIMAL LIFE 157 



The use of these manures alone has so far 

 improved the condition of the vines as to 

 neutralize the injuries done by the insect and 

 restore them to their usual productiveness. 

 In all cases where the vines were not too far 

 gone, the condition has been materially im- 

 proved by the application." 



Mr. Hilgard says " Phylloxera on the 

 vines produces a diminution of potash." 



Personally, I should like to know how 

 Mr. Hilgard arrives at this point ; it being 

 a well-known fact that from Spain alone very 

 large quantities of tartrate of potash are 

 exported. Tartar is an acidulous concrete 

 salt deposited by wine, forming a crust on 

 the bottom and sides of casks in which that 

 liquid is kept. 



It is estimated that one ton of grapes will pro- 

 duce from one to two pounds of crude tartar. 

 No doubt the weight of grapes required to 

 produce this tartar varies with the quality of 

 the grape, but the fact remains that every 

 pound of grapes carried away, whether for the 

 manufacture of wine or brandy or for eating, 

 must take so much tartrate from the soil. 



