46 Grape Culture. 



demand upon the resources of the roots. Lifting and relaying 

 in fresh compost, as described in a previous chapter, is the 

 best remedy if caused by the border. If caused by stagnant 

 atmospheres, then introduce a proper system of heating, 

 damping, and ventilation, which will soon cause the formation 

 of these unwelcome roots to disappear. 



FUNGUS ON THE ROOTS. 



Fungus on vine roots is not of infrequent occurrence, 

 although it is underground and out of sight. There is a 

 difficulty in dealing with it, especially for the want of knowledge 

 of its existence. Vigorous vines of one season may, the next, 

 have a sickly appearance ; and sometimes they will collapse 

 and die. The common cause of fungus on the roots is the 

 mixing of leaves or leaf mould with the compost, which often 

 contains bits of sticks, or even stems or bits of old vine roots 

 left in the borders when previously worked with. When 

 fungus is detected on the roots, remove all the soil containing 

 the white threads. When all this has been cleared away, 

 wash the roots with warm water and sprinkle them with 

 quicklime. Sometimes a good soaking with strong lime water 

 will destroy the fungus. When the border is made up, be very 

 careful not to introduce any sticks or decaying vegetable 

 matter. 



RED SPIDER (Tetranychus Tetarius). 



Red Spider is the most general and the most troublesome 

 of all insect pests, and one which most vine growers and 

 gardeners generally have to contend with. There are two 

 kinds of red spider. The one most common lives and multiplies 

 on the underside of the leaves. (They live on the Chlorophyl 

 grains leaf green found within the cell wall). Here it spins 

 its web, and multiplies with alarming rapidity. It is so small 

 that it can scarcely be seen without the aid of a magnifying 

 glass. The other species is found on the upper side of the 

 leaves. It is larger in size and brighter in colour than the first, 

 and easily detected by the naked eye. The experienced 



