WCP5265

[1]¹ [p. 6]

To the Editor.

Sir—Having received by last European mail several communications in the matter of the Phylloxera vastatrix and other allied species, through my cousin, Mr. Alfred R. Wallace, in answer to a letter I addressed to him a few months ago, I send you an extract from his own letter on the subject, as I know it will be of interest to a large section of the public, the vignerons, and others interested in our wine trade. Mr. Wallace says about the phylloxera—"I wrote at once to Mr. MacLachlan, and he tells me that specimens would be useless and not recognisable, as no way has yet been discovered of preserving them. He recommends a French Government report by Professor Max Cornu, giving full descriptions, and with beautiful figures, which will render any doubt as to the species impossible, and will also no doubt give much valuable information. To save time, I wrote to Sir Arthur Blyth, your Agent-General, to know if he would get the report and forward it to the South Australian Government. I enclose you his reply."