Shriveling of Grapes. 171 



of early thinning ; it appears to me to savour of what is called 

 "jumping at conclusions." Again, he says that the cambium 

 does not begin to descend until the berries have done stoning; 

 this appears to me to be quite unwarrantable, and totally un- 

 supported by facts. I believe that the cambium, or I'eturning 

 sap, begins to return the moment the leaves are fully developed, 

 and numberless operations in gardening, I think, bear me out in 

 that opinion ; however, if wrong, I shall be glad to be set right 

 in so important a matter. 



In my opinion, shanking may be caused either by stagnation 

 at the roots, or by a sudden declension of heat, at that important 

 period for the fruit, the time of changing colour, or by both 

 causes combined. I believe that, under favourable circumstances, 

 the action of the root in the Frontignan vine is more rapid than 

 in many other kinds. It at the same rime, also, is much more 

 susceptible of injury, especially from excess of moisture, and, 

 consequent stagnation. Now, whatever arrests the vigorous and 

 free action of the roots in this vine will quickly manifest itself in 

 the fruit. The causes may be various : for instance sudden varia- 

 tions of atmosphere (not at all unfrequent in Britain) ; deluges 

 of rain, defeating for a time even the best of drainage; and last, 

 but not least, the want of abundance of heat and light on a 

 healthy and well exposed foliage at that period (important in- 

 deed) when the berries first begin to change colour. Fron- 

 tignans in pots on the back shelves of pineries seldom or never 

 shank, at least I never saw them. Radiation from the glass in 

 the nightj in capricious seasons, is not taken sufficiently into ac- 

 count ; and I venture to prophesy that the day is not far distant 

 when night coverings will be deemed indispensable, as being 

 favourable both to vegetation and economy. 



Oulton Park Gardens. Feb. 1. 1841. 



Art. XI. On the Shriveling of Grapes. By W. H. 



As the shriveling of grapes is a subject in which all grape- 

 growers must be interested, I beg leave to make a few remarks 

 in answer to your various correspondents in this month's [January, 

 1841] Magazine, hoping that they will lead to further eluci- 

 dation, as the subject seems to be still in doubt and obscurity. 



Mr. Wilson does not say when he commenced forcing; this 

 is a very material point, as borders for early forcing cannot be 

 made too rich. The vines being excited at an unnatural season, 

 there is no danger of their taking up more food than they can 

 digest, and the berries are therefore free from shriveling. The 

 leaves, also, are not half the size or thickness of vines excited in 

 the growing season, consequently they require less light to 



