varieties of grape are favorable to the development of one form, and others to the development of the other. On the Vitis cordifolia and its descendants-notably the Clinton grape-galls seem to be formed with ease, but the root louse is absent. The reverse is true of all European grapes and such species as the Catawba and Delaware in our own country; on these the root louse is common, but the leaves are rarely infested.

The Clinton vine, then, has no lice upon its roots save those harmless ones which attach themselves to hibernate, having descended in autumn from the leaves. On the other hand the Delaware and Catawba rarely exhibit gall-disfigured leaves. but frequently the vines seem weak, the leaves turn yellow and wither, and the fruit does not form. These are the symptoms which indicate the work of root-lice, working silently, but fatally, under ground.

THE SPREADING OF THE INSECTS.

Gall-lice, being wingless, can spread only by crawling, or by means of the leaves being blown from place to place. Root-lice crawl from vine to vine by means of the interlacing roots under ground; but it is not until the winged form appears that the greatest spreading occurs. These winged females do not fly strongly, but their large wings enable the wind to carry them indefinite distances.

VARIETIES OF GRAPES AND THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY.

According to Prof. Cook, the following are exempt from the root-louse: Concord. Hartford, Prolific, and Isabella; the following liable to attack: Delaware, Crevelling, Rebecca, Diana, Eumelan, and Allen's Hybrid; the following very delicate and liable to great damage: Catawba and Iona. To the latter class I would add the Salem.

NATURAL ENEMIES.

The name of these is legion, including lady-bird, soldier-bugs, mites, lace-winged flies, a species of Thrips, and several others. Together with changes in temperature, rains, dry weather, hard winters, etc., they keep the pest in a certain degree of subjection.

REMEDIES.

Gall-infested leaves should be gathered and burned, and the grape vines should be given high culture. This strengthens them and helps them to withstand attack. The gall louse form is, however, not nearly so destructive as the root-louse form, and remedies for the later are of the deepest importance. They may be enumerated and discussed in order.

(1.) Selecting hardy varieties. This is the course commonly pursued in America, and especially in the West. The Concord grape is found to be so hardy and generaily satisfactory a form that it is, in many parts of the country, grown to the exclusion of more delicate, but finely-flavored varieties. Nebraska viticulturists, however, often desire to grow the choicer forms, and it is important to know how to defend them.

(2.) Grafting on a hardy stock. This is the next thing to growing the hardy variety itself, and is deemed very efficacious. A Delaware or Catawba grafted upon Clinton or Concord root will enjoy greater immunity from root-lice than could be brought about by any number of prophylactic remedies. In grafting, the split graft is not to be recommended, and most viticulturists use the arch or crown grait with better success.

(3.) Submersion. Where practicable, thirty days under water will be found to settle the phylloxera. This may be done in the late fall or early spring, and in France, where it has been extensively tried, it has been found that it must not be practiced during the growing season, for that would be disastrous to the vines themselves.

(4.) Sanding and salting the soil. In neither of these devices is there a practicable remedy, for so much sand and salt are necessary that the expense and trouble are far too great. The phylloxera does not like sand, and where plenty of it is applied vines are comparatively safe. The trouble is in applying enough. Moreover, no barrier is opposed to the winged form, and the wingless form working under ground is scarcely inconvenienced.

(5.) Tarred cloths, plaster, etc., around the vine. These applications are made in hopes of shutting off the emergence of the lice when about to migrate. They will easily find, however, some other way to leave the ground than by the part immediately around the main stem. Furthermore, the underground form is unrestrained.

(6.) Insecticides. Of these, coal-tar and crude carbolic acid have been highly recommended. The best way of applying is to sprinkle the ground with sawdust, previously saturated with the insecticide. This process may be repeated from time to time as the odor evaporates. Soot used in the same way is of some value, and does not injure the vines.

(7.) The best of insecticides for phylloxera is carbon bi-sulphide, made in chemical works by passing the vapor of sulphur over red-hot charcoal and condensing into liquid the gas thus formed. It is an exceedingly volatile and poisonous fluid, the fumes being disastrous if inhaled. Therefore, it must be handled with care. The originrl method of applying with a syringe which punched a hole in the ground, is not to be recommended. Flooding a vineyard with the material is excessively expensive, and a modified manner of application has been devised which meets all requirements. The carbon bi-sulphide is mixed with potash or soda, thus rendering it soluble in water, and it is then diluted in the proportion of one part of the dry powder to about eight thousand of water.

According to Prof. Hilgard, to whom I am indebted for most of the facts concerning this insecticide, about one pound of the mixture (dry) to seven vines is found effective. The expense will amount to from ten to fifteen dollars per acre.

In applying carbon bi-sulphide, the French commission mentions the following necessary precautions:

(a) Application in early spring, or late autumn. This minimizes possible bad effects upon the delicate rootlets which are most abundant in the rapidly-growing season.

b. Application in sufficient quantity at one and the same time. This is so that it shall penetrate the ground as far as possible.

(c) The co-operation of manures. Wood ashes, containing, as they do, plenty of potash, are cheap and valuable.

To these Prof. Hilgard adds the consideration of thorough tillage, which is certainly of importance.

I have observed great numbers of wild grapes-Vitis cordifolia-covered with galls in Lancaster county; in Saline county, near Crete, and near Beatrice, in Gage county. This summer, 1887, while rowing on Oak creek, near Valparaiso, in Saunders county, I, in company with Mr. Charles S. Allen, noticed that hundreds of vines, drooping from trees along the bank, were affected.

In the vicinity of Lincoln I have seen occasional vines troubled with root-rot, and farmers from the southern part of the state occasionally complain that their vines are yellowing and lying from no appreciable cause. In a majority of cases this is due to the presence of phylloxcra, though a species of root-borer may be also present.

The presence of the lice upon our wild grapes indicates to the thoughtful horticulturist that they will be ready for him if he attempts the cultivation of choice varieties. To be sure, vineyards of Delaware, Salem, or Catawba grapes are rare in Nebraska, but with vigilance and care they might be made a source of great profit. Energetic farmers would do well to make occasional experiments, and it is probable, if they do not fail in watchfulness, that they will be well repaid.

THE ACHEMON HAWK-MOTH-(Philampclus achemon DRURY.)
ORDER LEPIDOPTERA, FAMILY SPHINGIDE.

Harr. Ins. Inj. to Vegetation; Riley 2d Mo. Report.

During the summer months one often finds large green or brown worms upon the grape-vines or upon the Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). They eat voraciously, destroying the foliage and sometimes killing the plant. In the hot part of the day they are not so active, and curl themselves up upon the leaf-petioles or upon the smaller stems; but early in the day and in the evening. they are found crawling over the leaves and nipping the edges with their strong jaws. The presence of these large larvæ is most readily detected by observing their peculiar sub-conical and fluted pellets of excrement underneath the food plant. These are of a dark green color and are usually found of different sizes, marking the iapid growth of the worm. In September, the pellets attain their maximum size, and indicate the maturity of the larvæ.

These worms are the undeveloped stage of either of two large moths-the Philampelus satellitia or the P. achemon, but since the latter species is by far the more common in Nebraska, it will be best to describe it more fully than the other. The two are remarkably similar in all stages. and from an economic point of view-if one takes the country as a whole-may be considered. of equal importance.

The larva of P. achemon, when first born, is, in all cases, green, with a slender, recurved, red,

fulvous horn or spine arising from the top of the eleventh segment of the body. As growth and consequent moults take place, this horn disappears and in its place there is seen a lenticular tubercle, black, yellow, red, or orange in color, and very shiny. When full grown the larva is about three and one-fourth to three and three eighths inches in length. Its skin is of a satiny texture, and commonly of an umber brown or pale green ground color, marked with numerous dots sprinkled indiscriminately, and with six scalloped cream-colored spots on each side of the body. There are but two of these larger spots on any ring, and each is nicked by a red breathing pore. The cream-colored spots are more than twice as long as broad, and serve to distinguish the chemon from the satellitia species. In the latter the spots are broader, shaped in outline almost exactly like the toy torpedoes, prevalent on the fourth of July. The achemon species is further marked with a brownish wavy line along the back, and there are similar lines. above the lateral scalloped spots. The prolegs are either brown or pale green.

This insect is single-brooded. The larvæ reach maturity about the middle of September and then crawl from their food-plants and burrow into the earth. It is a mistake to suppose, as. some do, that they go beneath the reach of frost. for this is not true. Freezing does not seem to be fatal to them, and they rarely penetrate the carth to a greater depth than eight inches.

6

(Fig. 19.)

Phil. achemon, Pupa.

The chrysalis is dark, shining brown, about the shade of a chestnut, and is. roughened a little along the back, The wing-sheaths and eyes are plainly visible. It remains below ground during the winter. Towards the close. of June, or more generally early in July, it works its way up to the sur face, and the imprisoned moth bursts. forth. This is three and one-half inches across the outstretched wings, and is well represented in the accompanying figure. In color it is brownish-gray, faintly streaked with darker and lighter shades and with two darker brown spots on the inner mar gin of each fore wing. The hind wings are of a handsome crimson-pink, and are marked with a dark streak across the middle, behind which are about eight brown spots and a border of smoky gray. As will be observed by consulting the figure, the wings have a decidedly differ ent contour from those of butterflies and most night-flying moths. They are narrower and more bird-like in outline. This peculiarity is pretty general throughout the family, and, when combined with the scimeter-like or falcate outline of the fore wings, may be considered as diagnostic. But very few lepidoptera of this family are diurnal. For the most part they confine their flights to the morning or evening twilight, and are consequently crepuscular. They are often seen hovering over petunias or thistles, and, from the rapidity with which they move their wings and their keen and timid nature, many people mistake them for humming-birds, which they certainly much resemble. The best way to capture them for study is to rear the larva by hand, as will be explained further on.

In point of damage done the achemon hawk moth is comparatively insignificant. The large size of the worm lays it open to attack; and since, except in unusually favorable seasons, there are rarely more than a dozen eggs laid upon a single vine, little damage need be expected from it. Hand-picking may be resorted to, if necessary, and is always efficacious. The pellets of ex crement are a sure indication of the presence of the worm, and it cannot escape a careful search

Since the achemon hawk moth has no parasites, it is a little difficult to understand why it is not more abundant every where than it is. Birds spy out the young larvæ, but it certainly, on account of its protective coloring, so like that of the plant upon which it feeds, enjoys as much

immunity as other larvæ which have not the additional safeguard of an intolerable taste. My own belief is, that when young the worm is extremely sensitive to changes of temperature, and then a cold rain will kill great numbers of them. Observations which I have made seem to bear this out, but I do not know that they have been confirmed by others.

GRAPE FLEA BEETLE-(Graptodera chalybea ILLIGER.)

ORDER COLEOPTERA, FAMILY CHRYSOMELIDE.

Riley, 3d Mo. Rep.; Am. Entomologist, vols. 2 and 3; J. Henry Comstock, Rep. of Entomologist of U. S. Dept. of Ag., 1879; Thomas and LeBaron, 4th and 6th Ills. Reps.; Harris, Insects Injurious to Vegetation.

DESCRIPTION AND HABITS.

This little beetle is variously colored,specimens ranging from bronzegreen to Prussian blue. It is commonly a little less than a quarter of an inch in length, and has the thighs of the hind legs much swollen by the strong muscles which enable it to make the leaps-so characteristic, that from this jumping habit it receives its name.

The beetles appear in the middle of April and in May, and lay their small orange-colored eggs upon the grape leaves. A second brood appears in mid-summer. The larvae, which hatch in from four to eight days, are long, brown, with black head and six black legs. It is their habit to eat the leaves, upon which they feed, full of holes, besides chewing around the margins. The pupa is deep yellow in color, and the duration of this stage, which takes place under ground, is about three weeks. The last brood of beetles hibernates in some secluded spot and comes forth the following spring. At this time it is their habit to bore into the young buds and destroy them, thus doing a great deal of damage.

THE FOOD PLANTS.

Although this beetle is commonly confined to grape vines, wild or cultivated, it is not upon these that the greatest injury has been done in

Nebraska during the past season. It seems to have devoted itself largely to seedling apples, pears, quince, and plum trees. In the early summer Mr. Stephens sent me specimens from Crete, Saline county, and wrote that they were doing great damage to his nursery. From his letter I inferred that the insect was new to him. In July Mr. S. Barnard, of Table Rock, Secretary of the Horticultural Society, wrote me as follows:

"A small bright green fly, or bug, which can either fly or hop, has damaged apple grafts and yearling trees. I do not know its name. The insects commenced work as soon as the buds developed, and destroyed a great many grafts. There are a few still to be found. They never appeared until this spring, and seem to be largely upon the increase."

From this description it is not difficult to recognize some species of flea beetle. Upon specimens being sent me, I found that it was the well-known grape vine species.

Mr. Masters, of Lancaster county, also reports the insect as working on apple and plum trees.

When leaving its normal food plant, the grape, the flea beetle seems to choose young and tender plants. In time, however, it may accustom itself to the full-grown trees, and thus add one more to the pests which swarm in our orchards.

REMEDIES.

(7.) The most evident preventive remedy is to keep the vineyards and nurseries thoroughly clean. This is always to be emphasized, for, as lice do not often annoy a thoroughbred horse or cow, so insects of other habits do not pick out by preference the clean and well cultivated garden or orchard for their depredations. Neglect is a wonderful encouragement to insects, (b.) When jumping about in the summer the beetles are far too spry to be caught and destroyed, as one may destroy a sleepy potato beetle. In winter, however, when hibernating in the dead leaves or grass, they may be burned, and thus destroyed.

(c) Lime blown upon the vines or seedlings by a common sand-blower is recommended by Prof. Riley, and is effective. It must be used with moderation.

(d.) Prof. Comstock recommends the use of a sheet, saturated with kerosene, carried through the vineyard. Into this the beetles may be jarred, and the oil will kill them. However, the larvæ stick more closely to the leaves than the mature insects, and many of them will escape; otherwise the remedy is a good one.

(e.) Soap suds are declared by many to be a specific if sprinkled copiously over the plants affected. A common garden hose with sprinkler would be efficient in applying the liquid. (f) Lye has been mentioned as a good remedy, but it is dangerous to the vines as well as to the beetles, and must be used in rather weak solution. It is probably not as good as the suds, (9.) London purple was suggested by Prof, Bessey, and, if used in suspension, it proves very effective. It should be applied when the beetles first appear, and again when the second brood has matured, Common garden sprinklers may be used, or, in other cases, the hose. Which of the two the vine-grower will find most convenient will depend upon the height of the trellis which he uses.

Prof. Riley states that the insects are most troublesome where alder abounds in the woods, This is because the alder bushes furnish them food, and they are thus enabled to escape all common plans of extermination. The alder must not be confused with the universal elder bushes which are in every thicket of eastern Nebraska. It is an entirely different plant, and is by no means common in this state.

Among the various remedies given above, the London purple and sheet remedies are the most promising. With attention and clean cultivation, there is no reason why this beetle should do much damage. It is of fair size, working in plain sight, and by no means proof against poisons, thus exposing itself to any who care to destroy it. Compared with an insect like the phylloxera, it is insignificant, and a little attention should be all that is necessary.

Kemedies prescribed for the vine should do for apple seedlings. Here, however, the rows are so close together that a sheet could not be carried, and a white umbrella, soaked in petroleum, may be substituted. If the trees are very small, the London purple may be used, mixed with plaster or flour as a powder.

THE PLUM CURCULIO-(Conotrachelus nenuphar HERBST.)

ORDER COLEOPTERA, FAMILY CURCULIONIDE.

Harris, Ins. Inj. to Veg.; Riley, Mo. Reps., Vols. 1 and 3; A. J. Cook, Inj. Ins. of Mich.; Thomas, Ill. Rep., Vol. 6; Mich. Hort. Soc., 1886; Io. Hort. Reps., 1875, '76, '78, 81, and '82; Entomol ogy, Thomas Say.

HISTORICAL.

The plum curculio is an indigenous insect, and one of the most destructive. According to Dr. Harris, the earliest report of it is in the writings of Dr. James Tilton, of Wilmington, Del., and mention of it may be found in Willich's Encyclopedia. Phila., 1809. Later, the distin guished entomologist, Thomas Say, investigated its habits, calling attention to the fact that it depredates on the plum, peach, and other stone fruits. In New York Dr. Fitch refers to i' presence, and in his Missouri reports Prof. Riley has given a full and accurate account of its 1 f history. For Iowa, Prof. Herbert Osborn and others have noticed its habits and have suggested remedies.

Since the first reference to this insect, it has been recognized as exceedingly destructive. and great pains have been taken in the hope of defending orchards from its depredations. These efforts have not always been successful, but, on the whole, the insect is now under fair con trol.

In Nebraska Prof. Aughey, in his "Physical Geography of Nebraska," refers to it as doing great damage to the wild plums, and it is in connection with these that most interest attaches to the curculio. There are innumerable thickets of the wild plum-Prunus americana and Prunus chicasa-in the state, and when near farms or villages they are drawn upon for their