4 BULLETIN 903, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



even at this late date, though refuted at different times by investi- 

 gators, that this importation of European vines was responsible for 

 the introduction of plxylloxera into California. This is a mistaken 

 idea. The history of the grape industry virtually proves that the 

 insect was imported with American species or varieties of grapes 

 from east of the Rocky Mountains. 



FIRST DISCOVERY OF GRAPE PHYLLOXERA IN CALIFORNIA. 



The first evidence of phylloxera infestation in California dates as 

 far back as 1858. The dissemination of phylloxera continued for 

 years in California before the existence of the pest was known, al- 

 though its destructive work was observed, commented on, and desig- 

 nated a disease of vines from unknown causes. Reference to the 

 first discovery and determination of the insect in California is to be 

 found in a report (4, p. 108-111) dated August 28, 1880, and sub- 

 mitted by H. Appleton. In his report the first ravages witnessed in 

 California are discussed, and from them is inferred the date of in- 

 troduction of the insect. Extracts from this report follow : 



On the nineteenth of August, 1873, an insect was found on the roots of 

 grapevines by H. Appleton and O. W. Craig, in the vineyard of the latter, 

 situated two miles north from Sonoma Town, on the west side of Sonoma 

 Creek. An investigation was ordered at the time, for though the insect was 

 identified as " the insect, or louse, known in Europe by the title of phylloxera- 

 vastatrix, and in the United States as pemphygus vitifoliae," there existed a 

 doubt in the minds of the investigators, because the injury was confined wholly 

 to the roots of the vine, and no symptoms of injury such as recorded in - 

 Europe and in Eastern North America could be detected on the leaves. 



From information received from Mr. A. F. Haraszthy and Captain E. Cutter, 

 Superintendent of the Buena Vista Company's vineyards, I am able to give 

 the following facts in regard to their large vineyards : 



A vineyard of about one thousand vines was planted in 1834-35, and was 

 watered every year." In 1850 and 1852 the vineyard was largely increased, and 

 the system of irrigation was stopped. In 1857 about two hundred thousand 

 vines were set out, and in 1858 one hundred acres were put in vines (six 

 hundred and eighty vines to the acre). Again, in I860, fifty acres were 

 laid out. In 1862, Colonel A. Haraszthy planted 70,000 European vines, and 

 it was among these vines the disease increased most rapidly. 



In the Spring of 1S63 the Buena Vista Company was incorporated, and in 

 the Spring of 1864 that company planted 100,000 vines. 



As early as I860 decayed and dying vines were noticed in the vineyard, and 

 they were taken up and others planted in their places. An examination was 

 made to discover the cause of the disease in these vines, and it was attributed 

 to alkali water, which was found a few feet underground. The roots were de- 

 cayed. No examination by microscope of these roots was made. Vines 

 died from time to time, showing short growth, small and colorless grapes, 

 early yellow leaves — in fact, all the symptoms were ol .served of vines dying 

 from the vine pest. 



In 186S about 3 acres of diseased vines were taken up (planted in 1850) 

 on the north side of the dwelling house, and new vines planted, which grew 

 well, showing little signs of decay till they were four years old, at which 

 time (1873) the Phylloxera Committee, of the Viticultural Club, found the 

 phylloxera on several vines. 



