The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-12

| stoned, n perfect antidOte was at last found
in sulphur. With the discovery of this spe-
cifc new era Of prosperity seemed to open
for French vineyards, when suddenly a new
enemy, more tenacious and rcdoubtable than
any of its predecessors now famous
phylloxera-appeared in one of the southern
departments.
Prior to 1868, the phylloxcra was COM
monty supposed TO be endemic to tho Ameri-
can Continent In fact, however, it had been
recognized in Gascony on the white cabbage.
and was afterward detected in Scotland and
Ireland. Two years later its presence was
attested on the grapevine in the neighbor-
hood Of Mines, from which point it spread
rapidly up the right bank Of the Rhone,
moving subsequently south and west until,
in 1874, 1t had covered two districts Of SOW
ereign Importance to the vine growing in
| dustry, the Bordelais and the Beaujolais.
We are told that the plant assailed by II be-
trays nothing abnormal to the eye, but
gradually, as IL depleted Of sap, langulshcs,
withers, and dies. II such q vine be then
pulled up, the roots are seen to be coated
with pullulent mass of exceedingly minute
insects. which are found, under tho micro
scope half millimeter in length, and to be
furnished with wings. We may add that the
white grape is more liable to the attack OF
these infusorla than is the red and that in no
case Is a plant infested with them totally
destroyed before the fourth year. But the
problem is to extirpate the insect, as soon
rs It's presence is discovered, without also
killing the vine With the exception of
single remedy too costly for practical appli-
cation, French science has, 50 far, proved
| 60 tlxA mi. %
appearance OF the phylloxera in vineyard
| Is the sure precursor Of ultimate decay.
But how came this pest, before unhoard o.
to invade the vineyards of France. The
Academy Of Sciences, which has given the
subject unrcmittng, although somewhat
uniruitful, study, has affirmed that the
phylloxera was imported from America, and
Mr.. RILEY an American, seems TO have
established, by "a comparison Of specimens,
its identity with species native to this
country. There is no doubt, however, that
the action OF the insect is much less de-
structive in the United States, and that the
grating Of French vines upon an American
stock has proved for the moment at least,
an effective safeguard. 1t may be on these
grounds that the committee which has
lately inspected the district OF the Gironde
pronounces the phylloxera Of European
origin. Another opinion. which appears to
be gaining ground, regards the insect not as
the direct and primordial cause OF the new
malady, but as consequence or accessory
symptom, and it is pointed out that its raw
ages are most considerable precisely in
those districts whore sulphur had been
largely used to combat the oidium or grape
vine cholera. The nature too, OF the only
specific so far discovered for the phylloxera
the treatment with sulpho-carbonato Of
potassium. recommended by committee Of
the Institute in 1874, but which, as we havo
mentioned, Is too expensive for adoption in
practico-would seem to imply an exhaus-
ton Of the soil and impoverlshment Of the
vine resulting from overcrowdng.
The truth Is, that TIE whole system OF vino
culture has been revolutionized in France
during the present century. Formerly the
slips We're set at considerable distance
from ono another, the interspaces being filed
with cereals which restored to the soil those
elements which are demanded by the vine.
These conditions gave rise to the rule that
manure should never enter a vineyard, and
the rule explains the delicate flavor-the So
called gOiu ,hl terrOir-from which the best
crus OF France acquired their reputation.
Nowadays the increased cost Of land, and
the temptation to tax It's resources to the
uttcrmost have caused the vine stocks 10 be
so closely packed that interplanting Is inn
possible, and the use Of fertilizers is neces-
sary and universal. Now tho fermentation
Of these agents, il left to itself, as In prac-
ticc would often be the case passes through
three stages before arriving at the
complete destruction Of organic matter
To tho first or saccharinc period, are
duo those combinations Of ammonia and
Of phosphorus which form the chief elements
OF termination and supply nourishmcut u
the vine. The second or acid stage begins
as soon as the manure fails to receive the
requisite quantity Of oxygen, and precisely
at this moment, according to repeated OBJ
scrvations, the disease known as the oidium
appears Upon its morbid action sulphur
has the effect Of a dlsinfectant lotion; but it
does not touch tho root OF the malady, and
tho process OF fermentation, unarrcsted
} reaches the third or putrescent stage, which
Is adapted to the development Of nfusoria
, and leaves the poisoned vine incapable Of
resisting their attacks. This theory has In
its favor tho impressive coincidence that
both the oidlum and tho phylloxera, those
Twin ScOurges OF tne mO1crn vineyard, were
totally unknown In France before the era d
} close planting and the employment OF fer
tlizlng agents.
Whatever tho causes or conditions which
may account for the sudden appearance Of
, tho phylloxcra, 1t Is plain enough that It's
extirpation 10 a matter Of vital consequence
) TO the nation. In some quarters the appre
honslons Of vine growers have boon reused
almost to panic, and the Academy of Sci
J enccs, at one OF its sessions, recommended
| the most radical measures, namely, the i'm
mediate pulling up of every vine on which
! the presence Of the insect has been certified
Such II procautiOn would entail tho ruin Of q
great many proprietors, and notable fall
/ Ing of in the vino production Of France; YET