312 Vineyard Culture. 



sulphurous acid with great success, for the destruction 

 of the pyralis. This is his process : 



For Stakes, — These being stacked up here and there 

 in the vineyard, during winter, as shown in Figure 68, 

 he covers each with a kind of wooden bell [Fig. I39]j 

 having two iron handles. Before placing this bell over 

 the stakes, a vessel full of sulphur is placed close beside 

 them, on the ground ; fire is applied to it, and the bell 

 is put over all, care being taken to keep a little earth 

 round the base of the bell, to prevent the admission of 

 external air. The fire continues to burn until the air 



is exhausted of its oxy- 

 gen, and this produces sul- 

 phurous acid gas, which 

 kills off the larvae and eggs 

 lodged in the seams of the 

 stakes. In the space of 

 about two hours, the de- 

 sired effect is produced, 

 and the bell may be re- 

 [FiG. 139.] — Wooden Bell, moved and placed on an- 

 for Sulphurating the Stakes, other stack. 



For the Plants. — M. Perrier begins immediately after 

 the pruning, before the stakes are placed, and before 

 there is any sign that vegetation has commenced. It is 

 also proper to begin before laying down the plants — 

 an operation usual in Champagne — as described on 

 page 1 80. Were this not done, the eggs and larvae of 

 the pyralis might be buried, which would not hinder 

 them from being developed. When the time for op- 

 erating has arrived, a piece of tile, on which is laid a 

 sulphurated wick, is placed at the foot of each vine ; the 



