150 THE GRAPE. 



tion, certainly, in this case. After careful study — now foi 

 the last twenty-five years — we are led to believe, that 

 anything which arrests, or interferes with the healthful 

 action of the vine at this particular stage will be likely to 

 produce this disease. If we argue from the analogy 

 between the animal and vegetable kingdoms, we know 

 that as immediately before parturition there is a very great 

 stress upon the constitution, requiring all the strength 

 with which the animal is endowed to carry through 

 nature's action — so with plants. As proof of this, when 

 the fruit is taking its last swell, the size in many kinds 

 increases one-third in a very short time, and in some 

 instances with such rapidity that the tender skin is not 

 strong enough to withstand the inward pressure, but 

 bursts open. It is most likely that the change by chemical 

 expansion has something to do with this, and if the plant 

 is not enabled to perform all its functions uninterruptedly, 

 the stalks of the fruit, which are the conductors of the re- 

 quired fluids, do not receive a full supply of the needful 

 elements, but perish from the extraordinary demand that is 

 made upon them for the time being, for we find them only 

 afi'ected in this particular manner at the period mentioned. 

 If this argument be correct, it will be well, when there is 

 a disposition toward the disease, for all grape-growers to 

 ascertain where the deficiency is most likely to be, and 

 remedy it accordingly, without any reference to dogmati- 

 cal opinions. 



In the course of this work, an endeavor has been made 

 to explain all the necessary appliances and conveniences 

 required for successful grape culture, and as in our own 

 practice we are very little troubled in this respect, the 

 advice is given with some confidence, and a belief that if 

 fully carried out the same results will accompany the 

 operations of others. When the injury is done, the only 



