226 | VINES 
soil, with some good, turfy loam and manure 
in equal proportions, mixed with it. This brings 
us again to the starting point, after having sur- 
veyed the treatment for an entire year. 
The principal insect enemies of the grape are 
the red spider, the mealy bug, and the phylloxera 
(concerning which, see Chapter VI). The former 
should never be permitted to gain access to a 
grapery, nor will it if the house is kept charged 
with moisture. Obviously, the remedy is spray- 
ing the leaves with water. Since this cannot be 
done when the fruit is ripening, a sharp lookout 
must be kept previously; the first leaves attacked 
should be immediately removed and burned. 
The mealy bug, once established in a grapery 
is a very troublesome pest and hard to eradicate. 
It lies perfectly still and usually unobserved 
until the fruit begins to ripen and the house is 
dried off. Then it gets to work, laying eggs in 
the bunches and spoiling their attractive appear- 
ance. Persistent, thorough care is essential if 
you hope to eradicate the insect. Fumigate 
with the gas as recommended above; paint the 
canes with sulphur several times while they are 
dormant; stuff up the old pruning holes in the 
canes with cement or grafting wax; and go over 
the vines, as soon as the bugs commence to roam, 
