1872 TJie Western Pomologist and Gardener. 91 



mnstiness in Wine Cellars. 



Altliou.ffh pure air, a uniform low temperature and moderate dampness are the requis- 

 ites of a good cellar, these properties cannot always be combined, especially in wine cel- 

 lars, which often remain closed for a long while, as for instance in vineyards, or in such 

 places where the humidity of the soil cannot be overcome ; the consequences are, that 

 fungi are formeu, which cover the exterior of the casks, and others which grow along the 

 floor and beams, and at times also such as grow on the walls and roofs of the vaults, and 

 threaten destruction to all objects with which they come in contact, besides vitiating the 

 air of the cellars. 



In such cellars, not only the casks, but also the wine contained in them, are liable to be 

 destroyed, and it is not advisable to begin the treatment of the wine before the air has 

 been thoroughly purified, so that the germs which float in the air, and which the micros- 

 cope has shown us, when converted into fungi, to be the cause of many of the diseases of 

 wine, do not obtain access to it. 



Since the careful removal of these fungi is absolutely necessary, -without enumerating 

 here all the dift'erent methods applied to a«coniplish this end, we shou'd like to recom- 

 mend a process which is at once simple and cheap, to prevent the development of musti- 

 ness and its injurious effect on wines as much as possible, and that is, to create sulphurous 

 fumes in the cellar. 



This is done by burning in crucibles, in different parts of the cellar, strips of sulphur, 

 and closing the doors as effectually as possible from the outside. 



The fumes which are thereby developed, which can have no access to the wine if the 

 casks are well bunged up, perform approximately the same service which the burning of 

 sulphur strips in a mould}' cask does for its preservation ; that is, they destroy in the air 

 of the cellar the renewed formations of the germs of mustiness and fungi. 



This process may be frequently repeated to advantage, more particularly before manipu- 

 lating wines, as for instance, drawing them off, and again before closing the cellar for any 

 length of time. 



This method will also effectually destroy all vermin which may infest the cellars. — 

 Prom tli£ Qerman of 6. Beyer. 



Crapes In Arkansas. 



A correspondent of the R?(r(i^ World writes from Van Buren, Arkansas: "There are 

 about six acres of vines bearing in the vicinity of Van Buren, planted with about twenty- 

 varieties, and as I have never seen any report from that section of country in the Orape 

 Culturid, I will try and furnish some brief notes of their habits there. Concord and 

 Clinton do well, grow very strong, and bear well ; but little subject to rot. Creveling 

 grows well, but rots considerably. Delaware seems to be at home, grows as well as Clin- 

 ton does here ; is very prolific and sure as it never rots; berries seem to be much larger 

 than here. Diana rots and mildews badly. Hartford a little subject to rot, and frequently 

 drops its berries. Herbeinont is the strongest grower of all ; I have seen two -year -old 

 vines which made two canes of fifti en to twenty - five feet long, and canes measuring an 

 inch in diameter up to half its length, with laterals from almost every joint of canes, 

 which would by itself pass for good sized canes ; it is somewhat subject to rot there. Ives 

 does well, but lona rots badly. Norton's does well, never rots nor mildews ; grows vigor- 

 ously, and bears abundantly. North Carolina Seedling is a good, healthy prower, prolific, 

 and but little subject to disease. Marion a good grower, and does well. Poeschel's Mam- 

 moth is a good grower, but liable to rot. Rogers' No. 2 and Wilder good growers, abund- 

 ant bearers, but rot some in unfavorable seasons. Agawam, To Kalon and Union Village 

 all rot badly. Black Hamburg does well in some places, and the Riesling, two years old, 

 imported from Europe, made a good growth, and appears healthy. Gutedel (Chasselas) 

 also grows strong anvl vigorous. Perkins, Isnella and Rebecca also grew strong and vig- 

 orous. I believe most of the rot is caused by improper pruning and trimming. Soil, sandy 

 loam." 



