302 PHYLLOXERA VASTATMX, OR 
ravages have not spread to any notable extent. 
In only three or four vineyards has it killed a 
few vines in this commune. 
2. The Government has entrusted to special com- 
missions the study of the disease. It has 
offered the respectable reward of 20,000 francs 
(£800 sterling) to the inventor of an effective 
method of treating the disease, and has en- 
couraged every investigation and experiment 
calculated to throw light on points in science 
and practice arising out of this new enemy of 
our vines. 
3. No one knows what the causes are which have 
produced this malady, and no one has pub- 
lished anything that is satisfactory on the 
subject. 
4. With reference to the means found to have 
been efficacious in warding off an attack of 
the evil, none have been yet discovered. The 
Agricultural Society of the Gironde has 
advised vignerons, as soon as the disease makes 
its appearance, to root up the dead or diseased 
vines, to dig the ground deep below the roots, 
to burn the vines in the holes, to pulverize 
the clods, and mix the soil with strong manure, 
and then plant fresh vines in their places. 
Some vineyard proprietors in the Palu de 
Floriac have acted on this advice, and at the 
present time the new vines are thriving well. 
Now, on the other side, I have received some 
information also from good sources. 
From what would appear, no official measures have 
been taken to determine the nature of the disease. 
