THE PHYLLOXERA B] 



hectares in the plain of Granges showed diseased grapes. In 

 vineyards the harvest was reduced about one-half, [mme- 

 diate and energetic steps were taken to exterminate the fungus, 

 imt in 1886 it again appeared. The Beason proved n> be dry, 

 however, and very littl<- damage was done. The area of >listri- 

 imti.iii was, aevertheless, considerably extended. On July -'>, 



L887, Prillieux r lived diseased grapes from Azen, in Lot-et- 



Graronne, and was directed by the minister of agriculture to 



pr >ed i" the infected <listri<-t. 1 1 •- found that black-rot existed 



throughout the entire valley of the Gtaronne as far as Aiguillon. 

 In some vineyards it was bo well established that there appeared 

 to be m> doubt that the disease had been present at leasl a year 

 before its discovery in I'Herault; it was consequently impossible 

 to determine the hrel place of infection in France. The • 

 was in w. ami at the first ii<>t very s<Ti">u», -.. that its presence 

 lia<l been overlooked perhaps for more than one year." 



But tin- greatest consternation has been caused, in 

 European countries, by the furious spread of tin- phyl- 

 loxera. This insect was introduced into France in 

 1863 on vines from tin- United States, Imt it was not 

 discovered until some years later. About 1865, the 

 root disease which it produces began t<> attract atten- 

 tion, ami so violent was its spread that the French 

 government expended large sums to stamp it out. and. 

 finally, in 1874, a reward of 300,000 francs was offered 

 tor a satisfactory remedy. Aboul 1870, the cause of 

 tin- disease was determined; and then it was found 

 iliat thr root-louse is the normal form of an insecl 

 which also produces galls upon thr leaves. This leaf- 

 gall form <»t the insect was described in New York 

 i>.\ Dr. Asa Fitch in 1854, It is not our purpose to 

 follow the fortunes of thr phylloxera in its triumphanl 

 march over Europe. It is enough t<> saj thai there 

 an- no remedies which can l»' universally applied. In 

 this dilemma, tin- French turned to America t<> dig- 



