76 THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 



they are not checked in the flow of the sap, as the vine is, 

 under glass, in a cold grapery, -which is now suffering from a 

 change in the temperatujieDf 40° in the daytime, and 10° or 

 15° in the night. ^-^"^^ 



The Catawba grape, a native variety, is so subject to 

 shanking under glass, that, were it desirable to cultivate it 

 there, it would not be practicable. 



If the grapery, though not intended to be forced, is pro- 

 vided with a furnace and flue, or the Polmaise system of 

 heating is introduced into the house, to be used when occasion 

 may reqmre it, (and there is nothing to be apprehended from 

 this evil excepting when the grapes are changing color and tak- 

 ing their last swell,) there will be no danger of any serious loss 

 of fruit, provided every other care is given to the house and crop 

 as directed. But where the house is not provided with the 

 means of artificial heat, promoting a free circulation of air in 

 bright days, by throwing open freely the doors and windows, 

 and keeping as low a temperature as possible in warm weather, 

 is the safest mode of procedure. The desire to ripen the fruit 

 early, causes the house to be kept warmer than prudence dic- 

 tates. In our climate, we are not always subject to tliis pest ; 

 when the month of September is dry and clear, we escape 

 altogether. 



Every conceivable reason has been assigned as the cause 

 of shanking and shrivelling of grapes, by different gardeners, 

 and as frequently a certain remedy has been recommended ; 

 stiU, the evil exists. The term shanking is used when the 

 stem of the bunch is affected, and shrivelling when only the 

 footstalk of the berries is attacked. As this is the worst ene- 

 my the cultivator of this fruit has to contend with, I shall, in 

 their own words, give the opinions of some practical people, 

 extracted principally from Loudon's Magazine : — 



Vol. 10, page 19, a writer thinks it caused by too great 

 heat at night. 



Page 267, an experienced grape-grower thinks it caused 

 by damp, and recommends a good fire in the daytime, and to 



