826 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



correspondents who criticised this way of doing Mr. Chandou replied and gave the 

 reasons that induced him to act. 



"As soon as the news that the vines were touched with phylloxera reached me," he 

 says, "I immediately proceeded to the land and satisfied myself that the disease dated 

 at legist from four years. 



" Numerous delegates of phylloxera, commissioners, inspectors, etc., had been there, 

 and nothing had been observed by them during four years. No sulphur of carbon 

 prescribed; in fact, nothing done. Without waiting for administrative formalities, 

 so slow, or administrators who, without my initiative, would still be inquiring what 

 was best to be done, I purchased the laud and ordered the vines to be rooted up. At 

 the same time I covered the land with straw saturated with petroleum and fired it, 

 in order to prevent the escape of a single insect. Then I had the laud planted with 

 clover. These preliminary steps closed as soon as the sulphur of carbon and poles 

 arrived. The latter eight days after the phylloxera was discovered." 



Mr. Chandon adds that in destroying the vines he pursued a twofold end : 



First. He prevented the spread of the evil by the shoes and clothing of the crowds 

 who came, out of curiosity, and walked ail over the contaminated vineyard. 



Second. He indicated, or used, the only practical remedy, namely, destruction 

 when the disease is in its infancy. This system is practiced in Switzerland and Hun- 

 gary with perfect success. 



Mr. Chandon complains that the people of the locality refused to co-operate with 

 Mr. Common, inspector delegate of the Secretary of Agriculture, and they were con- 

 sequently obliged to wait a month after the discovery of the phylloxera for credits, 

 decrees, regulations, etc. 



In conclusion, Mr. Chandon says : 



" In order to prevent the swarming and subterranean . propagation it is necessary 

 to act promptly and at once, and I have contributed, I think, in the best way possi- 

 ble to destroy this formidable insect. 



" I mention these facts to stop the malevolent insinuations which have been put in 

 circulation. 



" To conclude, growers can only preserve their vineyards by the formation among 

 themselves of great syndicates, which will be able to indemnify fully proprietors of 

 contaminated vines destined to be completely destroyed. 



" This is the only sure way known to-day capable of hindering the progress of 

 the invader and of protecting the vineyards." 



GIRONDE. 



REPORT BY CONSUL ROOSEVELT,* OF BORDEAUX. 



[Republished from Consular Reports No. 41.] | 



Soils. The land more or less devoted to viticulture in the depart- 

 ment of Gironde may be divided into six categories: (1) Alluvial or 

 palus land, (2) rich, strong soil, (3) marly calcareous land, (4) gravelous 

 land, (5) siliceous, and (6) sablo-argillaceous land. 



The alluvial or palus lands lying in the bottom of the valleys are the 

 result of the successive deposits of rivers. This category includes the 

 drained marshes and substratum of the valleys. 



* Consul Roosevelt acknowledges his indebtedness for the greater part of the in- 

 formation contained in this report to M. Edoner Feret, of Bordeaux, a recognized 

 authority and author on vine culture. 



