118 PHYSIOLOGY AND DISEASES OF VEGETABLES. 
The summer of the year 1846 was hot and dry, from April 
to the end of September ; the aphides came into existence so 
early as the first week in May. In June the duty was 
estimated at £95,000. The aphides remained about six weeks, 
for, at the end of June, not a fly, and scarcely an apterous 
insect was to be seen on the hop leaves; indeed it was a 
remark I made at the time, that more aphis eaters were to be 
seen on the leaves than there were aphides to be eaten, and 
the old duty paid nearly £243,000, being £148,000 more 
than it was in June estimated it would pay. 
It does therefore appear, that it is to the state of the 
meteorological changes of the atmosphere we must look for 
the bringing forth of this obnoxious insect, either early or 
late ; and to the same cause we must attribute their passing 
so quickly away, as will sometimes occur, for a few have been 
known to appear for a week or two, and then all pass away 
and be no more seen. 
The aphides are therefore an index of wealth or poverty to 
the grower of hops. 
It has been asserted, that a failure from this cause does 
never occur in two successive years; it would be too much 
to say it never can or will, for such a foretelling cannot be at 
all depended upon. 
On examining the under-side of hop leaves, after they have 
been attacked by the aphides in their early stages, the 
situation of the punctuary made by these insects may be 
observed by a common magnifying glass, as the sap exudes 
in these places and form globules, after which the upper 
surface becomes shiny, and blackens from a similar cause — 
Farmers' Herald , November 1853. 
