THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 83 



Vol. 17, pages 47 and 48, J. W. B. says, want of food is 

 the sole cause, and " this deficiency of nutriment might arise 

 from various causes, but, undoubtedly, the principal one is a 

 bad border ; under which head, I include not only poor hun- 

 gry soils, that are incapable of supporting a plant in vigor, 

 but those deep and narrow pits of rich earth in which vines 

 are generally planted, and even borders of proper dimensions, 

 if the subsoil is wet and the drainage imperfect. Depend 

 upon it, the most essential condition in vine culture is a bor- 

 der so constructed as to insure a ready passage of superabun- 

 dant moisture in the wettest seasons. The young fibrous 

 roots of vines are exceedingly tender, and soon rot when 

 soddened in cold wet soil ; consequently, the plant, being 

 thus deprived of its mouths, may starve in the midst of plenty. 

 According to the extent of the injury to the roots, so will the 

 fruit suffer. On the same principle, (deficient nutrition,) 

 over-cropping will produce the same result, even when the 

 roots are in a healthy state." 



Any quantity of extracts might be added to these, but the 

 above are sufficient to show the extent of the disease, and the 

 principal reasons assigned for its cause by practical men. 

 The Frontignans and Muscats are more subject to the evil 

 than any other varieties, and the cause in these cases un- 

 doubtedly often may be, injury to the roots from too much 

 moisture ; for these vines will not succeed in any situation 

 but where the roots can be kept dry, at the approach of the 

 period for the maturation of the fruit. Nor will they suc- 

 ceed thus situated, unless they have a free circulation of hot 

 air around their tops ; and, when the fruit is ripe, this circu- 

 lation of air must be continued, and attention given to keeping 

 it as dry as possible, otherwise the fruit will soon decay. 



In conclusion, it may be, in my opinion, thus summed up, 

 that shanking or shrivelUng is a disease peculiar to the 

 grape in its culture under glass structures, caused by a 

 deficiency of nourishment, which deficiency is occasioned 

 principally by a defective atmosphere in the house, causing 



