THE GRAPE PHYLLOXERA IN CALIFORNIA. 5 



The facts of this statement are significant and by no means am- 

 biguous if considered in the light of the knowledge possessed to-day 

 of the life history and habits of phylloxera, the nature of its in- 

 jury, and the progress of its ravages. 



This report also indicates how and when the first impulse was 

 given to the development of the grape and wine industries of the 

 State, then in their infancy. As interest grew in this direction, 

 better varieties of grapes than the Mission would naturally be sought 

 and given a trial. This was the case with the eastern variety of 

 grape, the Catawba, a vine susceptible to the attack of phylloxera 

 because of its fleshy roots and successfully grown at that time in 

 the East as a wine grape. A weekly agricultural paper, the Cali- 

 fornia Farmer (6), under date of Thursday, January 23, 1855, in an 

 editorial article entitled " The Catawba Grape," says : 



We sincerely esteem the Catawba grape, one of the very best varieties for 

 cultivation in California. Longworth of Ohio, whose famous Catawba Cham- 

 pagne is now esteemed equal to any wine imported, says it is the very finest 

 wine grape known. Will be found far superior to our California Grape [Mis- 

 sion]. We earnestly urge our cultivators to give the Catawba a careful trial. 



The same agricultural periodical from time to time that same year 

 published other articles 7 eulogizing not only the Catawba but also 

 other vines of eastern varieties and quoting fabulous yields in wine 

 and profits. 



Articles such as these undoubtedly influenced the planting of east- 

 ern varieties, if only as an experiment. Can it be doubted that many 

 vines were brought from the East to California and the phylloxera 

 introduced with them ? 



The variety of grape planted in 1850-1852 in the Buena Vista 

 vineyard is not mentioned. It is more than likely that the major 

 part of the planting was of Mission. If these vines were inoculated 

 with phylloxera shortly afterwards by means of a few eastern grape- 

 vines planted near by, the vineyard would have experienced a spread 

 of invasion as related above by Appleton. Evidence of the insects' 

 injury would be apparent as affecting only a few vines during a few 

 years or up to about 1860, and eight years later the vines, covering 

 an area of 3 acres, would have become so dwarfed and nonproduc- 

 tive, with perhaps a few dead, that it would be necessary to grub 

 them up. That this vineyard trouble was due to phylloxera is em- 

 phasized by the further statement that the 3 acres were again 

 replanted with new vines, and during the four following years 

 (1869-1872) the vines were again affected in a similar manner, but 

 to a slighter degree, just as a recurrence of infestation would act if 

 vines were planted in infested soil. Finally, in 1873, just five years 



7 E. g., " What are the best grapes ; " " Extracts of the Cincinnati Gazette." 



