May 2G, 1881. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
413 
i 
26th 
th 
27th 
E 
Quekett Club at 8 P.M. 
28th 
S 
Crystal Palace Horticultural Exhibition. 
29th 
SUN 
SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION. 
30th 
M 
31st 
TU 
[Garden. 
Sale of Flowering Orchids at Mr. Stevens’ Rooms, Covent 
1st 
W 
THE PHYLLOXERA AND ITS ERADICATION. 
HERE can be no question as to the destruction 
this insect is capable of effecting in vineries, 
and perhaps few subjects have received less at¬ 
tention from gardeners. This may be attributed 
to the fact that the evil wrought by the insect 
in this country has been comparatively limited. 
Like many gardeners, I confess I was entirely 
ignorant of the appearance of the Phylloxera and the 
conditions of the roots and foliage when attacked 
by it, until it was explained to me by a friend, who 
on inspecting the Vines under my charge found that they 
were infested with the pest. I have since wondered why 
some of those who have had Vines similarly affected should 
ieep the matter such a profound secret. This appears to 
have been the case in many instances, as I have since learnt. 
I feel convinced that if those who have had experience with 
it had endeavoured to bring such a serious matter publicly 
before gardeners and amateurs, a sharp look-out would have 
been kept, especially when planting purchased Vines. Had I 
known in 1878 the appearance of the roots when attacked 
with the Phylloxera, I should not have had to contend with it 
in 1880. 
My object in bringing forward this subject at the present time 
is to draw attention to the importance of carefully examining 
the roots of all Vines about to be planted, not only with the 
unassisted eye, but with a powerful lens. When attacked 
the extremities of the fibres present a knotted form that can 
be readily seen. This character being absent is not sufficient 
to indicate that the Vines are clean, as many insects may be 
present and have not had time to form this peculiar knotted 
appearance. I have found roots free from this, yet with 
numerous insects. In such cases the lens will prove of the 
greatest service in finding the insects, as they are very small 
and most difficult to see, especially on young growing fibres, as 
they much resemble them in colour. When, however, the 
insects become fully grown or are about to deposit their eggs, 
they are considerably larger than at any other time, and 
scarcely move. Just before they reach that stage they appear 
to seek a secluded place, if possible in the crevices of the old 
bark upon the roots. I could not find in one instance an insect 
with eggs at the extremities of the roots, or upon any of the 
young growing fibres. From my observations the females all 
appear to die after laying their eggs. 
It has been stated that within the knots or galls upon the 
roots the young insects exist in different stages of growth. I 
am, however, inclined To doubt whether this is really the case, 
as I have opened hundreds of the galls and neither found 
insects nor eggs, while upon the foliage every gall contained 
insects in a semi-dormant state or with eggs. The winged 
insects were very scarce, as I was only able to discover two, 
and these differed considerably, being probabty in different 
stages of development. The insects were found in the greatest 
numbers where the soil was somewhat dry, especially under the 
pipes, but where it was rather wet few insects were found. In 
the vineries on another estate in the western counties, where 
the Vines had to be destroyed a short time afterwards, the 
roots had access to both inside and outside borders, and on the 
roots in the latter not an insect could be found, while on those 
in the former these destructive creatures were swarming. 
From the above facts I inferred that the Phjdloxera did not like 
a wet soil, and on experimenting further found that when 
they are plunged into cold water life soon becomes extinct. 
Portions of roots were placed in a tank of water, and in several 
instances, the insects entirely disappeared, in others when taken 
out after being in the water twelve hours and still adhering to 
the root were dead, and the vitality of the eggs remaining 
upon the root appeared to have been destroyed. I think that 
if affected pot Vines were plunged into water for some time 
they would be cleansed. This I do not wish to assert is 
certain to exterminate the Phylloxera, as I had no opportunity 
of testing this point further than with portions of roots. If 
this proved satisfactory with Vines in pots, it is questionable 
if a Vine border could be saturated to a sufficient extent to 
destroy the insect without the remedy proving injurious to the 
Vines. 
Doubtless a thorough clear-out of the Vines and the contents 
of the border is the most satisfactory in the end, especially if 
there are other vineries in the same garden, but where there is 
only one vinery the Phylloxera can be stamped out without 
destroying or removing the soil from the border. .The Vines 
and every particle of roots from amongst the soil and drainage 
should be searched for and burnt. There can be no doubt 
that the insects will die in time when they can obtain no food ; 
but care must be exercised that every portion of root is re¬ 
moved, or the insect will continue to live as long as any 
nourishment can be obtained. The soil in the border should 
be turned over several times and a little hot lime mixed with 
it, and the pest will, I feel confident from my experience in 
the subject, soon disappear. 
When the soil is removed from a large border and subjected 
to a burning process, much labour is entailed and some diffi¬ 
culty experienced in burning it, especially if it has been in the 
border for a long time, unless a quantity of wood can be 
obtained. The burning process I do not consider necessary if 
plenty of hot lime and some salt can be mixed with the soil. 
The border here was cleared and the soil carted to the farm 
for top-dressing. Some weeks after I examined the heap of soil 
and could not find a trace of the Phylloxera. The drainage was 
removed and placed in a heap in close proximity to a drain, 
the whole being covered with salt, and then thoroughly washed 
with a good force of water from a hose. This being done the 
heap was again covered with salt, and remained in that condition 
until early autumn. The brick and stonework of the house 
inside was first well washed with water and then with pure 
paraffin ; at the end of a week it was again washed with salt 
and boiling water (for this latter excellent suggestion I was 
indebted to Mr. D. Thomson), the final washing being with 
No. 48.—Yon. II., Third Series. 
No. 1704 .—Vol. LXV., Old Series. 
