THE GRAPE-VINE FLEA-BEETLE.
BY HENRY BONNYCASTLE, CAMPBELLFORD, ONT.
I am in trouble with my grape-vines. I have a small vineyard of about thirty vines, well trellised, some of them 1½ inches in diameter. They all started their buds properly this Spring, but since then one-half of them have remained in the same state, the buds turning yellow and looking sickly; I found a lot of small dark blue bugs on the buds, they appear to eat into the heart of the bud, and are difficult to catch. I made a solution of soap suds, putting one table spoonful of hellebore into one pailful, and watering the vines with a rose on the watering pot. I apply every Spring around each vine old rotted horse manure, raking in wood ashes, and keep the ground in clean order. Would you be kind enough to advise me what to do? It is very disheartening to lose the vines after so many years of care and labor. The vines are Delaware, Adirondac, Salem, Concord, Hartford, Israella, Martha (white), Eumelan, and Clinton. The Adirondac, Delaware, and Salem are most affected. I am trying to catch the bugs by hand, but find it damages the buds doing so. I intend sprinkling with soap suds until hearing from you.
I am glad to report the Burnet vine is coming on well. The monthly pamphlet of the Association is a very great improvement, and sincerely trust it will succeed.
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