318 
the outset, the increase of submergible areas has not greatly extended 
of late years, it is to be explained by the cheaper and quite satisfactory 
results obtained with resistant stocks. 
The thoroughly satisfactory results obtained by submersion in France 
have a particular interest for us on account of the appearance of the 
Phylloxera in California, where irrigation is largely practiced and where 
it will be comparatively easy, in many cases, to submerge vineyards in 
accordance with the methods of the French viticulturists. 
The Phylloxera difficulty in France has, after years of discourage- 
ment and loss, led to results which have a very substantial value, for 
it has necessitated an intensive careful culture after improved 
methods, has led, in many cases, to smaller holdings, and has resulted in 
better and more abundant and uniform harvests. 
With the spread of the Phylloxera scourge over Europe, delegations 
of viticulturists from Switzerland, Austria, Koumania, and Hungary,, 
have visited France to acquaint themselves with the approved French 
methods — the information sought being cheerfully given — and recently 
by request some French experts have visited the region about the 
Crimea, where the Phylloxera has extended its range within the last 
few years, to give instruction in methods for eradicating or at least 
limiting its damage 
ACORN INSECTS, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY. 
By Mary E. Murtfeldt, Kirhivood, Mo. 
Until one carefully examines the acorns of this section of the country 
it is impossible to realize to how great an extent they are destroyed by 
insects. Among the latter one or more species of nut-feeding Curculios 
of the genus Balaninus are the principal depredators. But within 
recent years a Lepidopterous larva, that may be designated as the Acorn 
Melissopus, has so multiplied as to become scarcely second to the beetle 
larvae in destructiveness; while a third small percentage of the nuts 
are infested with Cynipid galls and other insects, so that the sound 
acorns that can be collected during the months of October and Novem- 
ber are an almost incredibly small proportion of the entire product of 
the trees. 
During the past autumn I examined many hundreds of acorns of the 
various species of Quercus abounding in this locality, keeping records 
of the fruit infested by different insects and making the average of 
four or five hundreds of each from which to arrange a tabular state- 
ment. The result seemed sufficiently remarkable to merit the notice of 
those interested in forestry and general arboriculture. 
The species of Oak most abundant in this vicinity are the Post or 
Iron Oak {Quercus stellata Willd,, obtusiloba Mx.), Black Oak (Q. tine- 
toria) in varieties, Laurel Oak (Q. imbricaria), Pin Oak (Q. palustris). 
