Having waited for some time in order to try the effects of several
remedies to kill or stop the ravages of the grape vine bug, I beg leave
to state that I applied hellebore thoroughly, in both liquid and dry
state, without any effect. I then mixed two table-spoonfuls of carbolic
acid to one bucket of rain-water, (a strong dose,) and sprinkled the
vines well, but this had no effect. I then put two table-spoonfuls of
white hellebore to one bucket full of soap suds, producing no effect. I
also caught the bug and covered him with hellebore, putting him under a
glass, after two days he was as lively as ever. I now find the only plan
to exterminate them is hand-picking in the morning when the dew is on
the leaf; by doing so I have nearly got rid of them. I now find a small
brown slug on the leaves, eating holes in them, this is evidently the
offspring of the bug; I also pick them off, thus preventing the breeding
for next year. My vines, from being mere bare poles, are now bringing
forth buds and leaves, but of course no fruit this year. I should much
wish to hear if any remedy has been found. I find the wild ones in the
woods are also infested with the slug. The slug when full grown is about
one-eighth of an inch long, brown, and when crushed, full of a yellow
liquid; they are on the inside and outside of leaves.
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