60 AIR-ROOTS ON THE VINE. 



skin. Some writers say this is not a disease. If it is not 

 such, strictly speaking, it is at least organised matter in 

 the wrong place ; and I am confident it seriously im- 

 pedes the important functions of perspiration, digestion, 

 and respiration ; so that if not in itself a disease, it 

 leads to functional derangement, which is nearly the 

 same thing. As has been remarked while treating of 

 the effects of sulphur, these green warts are more 

 easily affected by the particles thereof floating in the 

 atmosphere of the vinery than any other portion of the 

 vine, except the embryo berries. 



I can undertake to produce or prevent this disease 

 shall I call it ? at any time betwixt the first expansion 

 of the foliage and the stoning of the fruit. A close, 

 warm atmosphere, saturated with moisture, will produce 

 it ; whereas a free circulation of air, moderately charged 

 with moisture, will prevent its appearance. I have seen 

 instances where the .leaves were so affected by it that 

 they all cupped themselves up round the edges, the fruit 

 did not swell to much more than half its natural size, 

 and the general progress of the vine was retarded. 



AIR-ROOTS ON THE VINE. 



Though this cannot be called a disease, it is a state of 

 things that is not desirable. It proceeds from one of 

 two causes, or both combined. Either the atmosphere 

 is kept too moist, or the border is too cold, and probably 

 wet, for the natural roots to make progress in at the 

 time ; and to supply the demands of a large expanse of 

 foliage these roots are thrown out. 



If the natural roots were in a border that, in texture, 



