GRAPE MANUAL. 



and early part of June, generally on the upper side of 

 the leaf, which they riddle, devouring all but the largest 

 ribs. A dusting of dry lime kills the larvae, but the 

 beetle has to be caught and killed. 



THE GRAPE-BERRY MOTH. 



{Lobesia, botrana . ) 



[a, moth; 6, worm; c, hole made in berry; d, rotting 

 berry, caused by worm.] 



This insect first attracted attention about seven years 

 ago. About the first of July the grapes that are at- 

 tacked by the worm begin to show a discolored spot 

 at the point where the worm entered. Upon opening 

 such a grapo, the inmate will be found at the end of a 

 winding channel. It continues to feed on the pulp of 

 the fruit, and upon reaching the seeds, generally eats 

 out their interior. As soon as the grape is touched 

 the worm will wriggle out of it, and rapidly let itself to 

 the ground, by means of its ever ready silken thread, 

 unless care be taken to prevent its so doing. The co- 

 coon is often formed on the leaves of the vine, in a man- 

 ner essentially characteristic : the worm cuts out a clean 

 oval flap, leaving it hinged on one side, and rolling the 

 flap over, fastens it to the leaf, and thus forms for itself 

 a cozy little house in which it changes to a chrys- 

 alis. In about ten days after this last change takes 

 place, the chrysalis works itself out of the cocoon and 

 the little moth, represented in the figure (hair lines 

 showing natural size), makes its escape. As a remedy 

 we recommend picking up all fallen berries and con- 

 verting them into vinegar; as upon racking off the juice 

 and water, countless numbers of these worms are found 

 in the sediment. This insect was named Penthnia mti- 

 vorana, by Dr. Packard, in this country, but Prof. 

 Riley informs us that it is probably an importation 

 from Europe, where it is known as Lolesia lotrana,. 



THE ROSE-CHAFER. 



(Macrodactylus subspinosus.) 

 This is the true " Rose-bug," injurious to 

 many plants, but especially hard on grape- 

 vines during some years. In Prof. Riley 's 

 words: " It is one of those species whose 

 larva develops under ground, and cannot be 

 very well dealt with in this stage of its life. 

 We must contend with it in the beetle form, 

 and there is no other effectual means than by hand- 

 picking, or by shaking into vessels and on to sheets. 

 This work can be greatly facilitated by taking advant- 

 age of the insect's tastes and preferences. It shows a 

 great predilection for the Clinton, and its close allies, 

 of all other varieties of the Grape-vine, and will gather 

 upon that variety and leave others unmolested, where 

 it has a chance. Those who are troubled with this 

 beetle will no doubt take the hint." 



THE GRAPE CURCULIO. 



( Caliodee incequalis.) 



[a, berry infested; 6, larva; c, beetle; the hair line show- 

 ing natural length.] 



The larva of this curculio infects the grapes in June 

 and July, causing a little black hole in the skin, and a 

 discoloration of the berry immediately around it, as 

 seen in the above figure. From the middle to the 

 last of July this larva leaves the berry and buries itself 

 a few inches in the ground, and by the beginning of 

 September the perfect insect issues from the ground 

 and doubtless passes the winter in the beetle state, 

 ready to puncture the grapes again the following 

 May or June. This curculio is small and inconspicu- 

 ous, being of a black color with a grayish tint. It is 

 represented above, the hair line underneath showing 

 the natural size. This insect is very bad some years, 

 at others scarcely noticed, being doubtless killed ~by 

 parasites. It is thus that nature works : " Eat and be 

 eaten, kill and be killed," is one of her universal laws, 

 and we can never say with surety because a particular 

 insect is numerous one year, therefore it will be so the 

 next. 



All infested berries should from time to time, as they 

 are noticed, be collected and destroyed, and the beetle 

 may be jarred down on sheets as with the Plum Cur- 

 culio. 



There are several CUT WORMS, which eat the young, 

 tender shoots of the vine, and draw them into the ground 

 below; they have destroyed, or kept back at least, 

 many a young vine. The little rascals can be easily 

 found and destroyed by digging for them under the 

 loose clods of ground beneath the young vine. 



There are many other insects injurious to the Grape- 

 vinelarge solitary worms insects which lay eggs in 

 the canes others which make curious galls, etc.; but 

 the reader who desires an acquaintance with these, 

 must refer to Prof. Riley's reports. 



Besides the insect, you will have yet other enemies 

 to combat; foxes and birds, and, worst of all, some 

 two-legged beings in human shape thieves who will 

 steal your grapes if you do not watch and threaten to 

 keep them off with powder and shot. We do. 



GATHERING THE FRUIT. 



Whether it be for the table or for wine, do not pick 

 the grape before it is fully ripe. Every grape will color 

 before ripe ; some do so several weeks before, but when 

 thoroughly ripe the stem turns brown and shrivels 

 somewhat. In the finest qualities, the sweetness and 

 aroma of the grape juice are fully developed only in the 

 perfectly matured grape; and we consider the late ripen- 

 ing varieties as far superior, especially for wine, to the 

 early kinds; but, of course, only in silch localities where 



