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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