CHAP. Ill VILLA GAEDENING 331 



cave in, as if a severe blow had been struck. Very often this is 

 caused by deficient ventiLation early in the morning, or at least 

 that may contribute to it. If the foliage is scanty through severe 

 stoi^ping, the conditions are favourable for its spreading; and a 

 shade should be used on the glass and an extension of the lateral 

 growth permitted. These measures, if taken in time, will check 

 scalding ; but often the real cause is more deeply seated, and must 

 be sought for among the roots. 



Cracking of the berries can hardly be called a disease, yet it 

 is a great disfigiu-ement, and at the same time a great loss. Like 

 scalding, it shows itself just as the Grapes are beginning to ripen. 

 The berries of the Madresfield Court Muscat sometimes crack a 

 good deal. Too much moisture following a dry time may cause 

 the skins of the berries to burst by the sudden pressure brought 

 to bear upon the contracted cuticle. The difficulty may often be 

 overcome by giving the vines more work to do, leaving a heavier 

 crop, and allowing a larger development of leafage. Cracking may 

 be prevented by cutting a notch in the branches below the bunch 

 to check the flow of sap upwards. 



Mildew. — The spores of various kinds of fungi are probably in 

 a resting state, continually floating about in the atmosphere, and 

 when the right conditions for their propagation and growth are 

 met with, they instantly germinate. This being so, as regards 

 mildew on vines it can only obtain a footing where some mistake 

 has been made in the management of the interior of the house, and 

 is generally caused by deficient ventilation accompanied by too 

 much moisture. A stuffy stagnant condition of the atmosphere 

 furnishes a proper home for mildew ; and if, at the same time, 

 the roots are in a sluggish condition, it will grow rapidly, and 

 eradication will be exceedingly difficult. The usual remedy for 

 mildew in all its forms is sulphm'. Sometimes the fumes arising 

 from it when painted on the hot pipes will be sufficient. When 

 this foils it should be dusted on the affected parts, and allowed to 

 remain till the fungi are destroyed. The cause also must be ascer- 

 tained and removed. In the winter-dressing immediately following, 

 a good deal of sulphur may be used in the washing of the house 

 and the vines to kill any dormant spores at the moment growth 

 takes place, not waiting till the effect of their growth is seen on 

 the Grapes before applying the remedy. 



Insect Pests. — Of all vine pests the red spider is perhaps 

 the most troublesome. This is almost sure to appear in the early 

 houses unless the atmosphere is in a very even condition as to 

 moisture. Let the house be kept a little too dry, and the red 

 spider soon appears. If its presence is not noticed at once a 



