On the west shore of Canandaigua Lake, Vine Valley and Naples, are to be found extensive vineyards, where are grown hundreds of tons of grapes annually. On visiting the owner of one of these vineyards he was very anxious to show me what he supposed to be a new discovery. First he drew attention to an odd plant here and there among his Catawbas, the fruit of which was ripe, while the others were about three weeks backward. I suggested digging to see how the roots looked, which was done. We did not find any Phylloxera, as they had taken all the bark off and moved on, leaving the roots cankered, dead or dying. We then examined an older plantation of Catawbas, on which the fruit was ripe also. This the owner attributed to the fact that he had let grass and weeds grow, instead of keeping the ground plowed and clean, as is the system generally. It was quite evident the vines were deteriorating rapidly; two-thirds of them were dead. We went to digging again, and sure enough there we found Phylloxera, giving its own color to the roots, it was so numerous. All we afterwards examined were more or less attacked. In going over a plantation set out last spring many were dead, most of them just alive. The ground was in good condition. I was asked what I thought was the matter.

It seemed to me that the young plants got infected from pieces of roots from an old plantation which stood there lately, which would indicate that the ground would require a good rest before planting with vines again.

I have been greatly troubled with the Phylloxera on the foreign grape vines here in the houses, and must confess it has the best of me as yet. However, I have not lost hope; and if all who are fighting it would publish their efforts it might be conquered. I have tried hellebore dissolved in water, strong enough to kill earthworms; also salt of the same strength, and tobacco water made by steeping the stems, and using it as strong as is customary. All of these were applied at the rate of twenty gallons to the cubic yard. Holes were made a few inches apart, with a round stick to let it get down. The vines were not injured, but it did not kill or drive away the pest. Only one kind was used on a vine. I then tried crude petroleum, and it killed the vine. Well, I presume you would like to know what next. I took away the soil from the roots for some distance, gave them a good wetting, and sprinkled air-slacked lime and soot, equal parts, on and around them, and filled in with fresh soil. The vines made a good growth last summer, and had some fruit. Some of the bunches were seventeen inches long, and well proportioned.

I was so well satisfied with the last experiment that I have treated another house the same way.

[In connection with these very timely suggestions of Mr. Rhind it may be as well to note that suctorial insects cannot be successfully destroyed by the poisons which destroy those feeding in the usual way. The potato beetle dies from Paris green, because it eats the poison with the leaves it feeds on; but we may cover an aphis with Paris green when feeding on a plant without doing the insect any injury, because it sucks the juice from the interior of the plant. Whatever is employed against the Phylloxera must be that which will destroy it in some other way.

It may also be noted that though the Phylloxera is a fearful scourge to the grape grower, it is often charged with trouble which properly belongs to fungus. During the last two years we have seen many cases where this mistake has been made. We have noted at least two distinct forms of fungus operating on grape vine roots, the effect of which in interfering with the healthy growth of the vine, is precisely the same as when it has been attacked by Phylloxera. In the one case the young growing fibres are attacked, usually in spots. Sometimes entirely girdling the young growth. The brownish and destroyed tissue can be seen with a good eye, or better, by a pocket lens.

The other fungus parasite covers the surface of the older as well as young roots with a blackish, warty excrescence. It is more often seen on vines one or two years transplanted, and in such cases the vines do not grow to any extent, and frequently dwindle away altogether. - Ed. G. M.]