422 Causes of the Must on Grapes. 



Before I close this communication, I should mention that the 

 plants beneath the vines are liable to be very much drawn in 

 the spring; therefore, if it is convenient, they should be re- 

 moved to a cold-pit, there to remain until the weather will 

 permit their being placed in their summer quarters. 



Middlesex, June, 1842. 



Art. XIII. On the Causes of the Rust on Grapes. By X. 



Having this season witnessed the rust on grapes more than I 

 ever did before, perhaps a few remarks thereon may not be 

 without their use. Much has been said on the subject, but I 

 cannot convince myself that either the accidental touching of the 

 berries with the hair, or with perspiring hands in thinning, has 

 so much to do with it as is generally supposed. 



A neighbour of mine having two graperies has nearly the 

 whole of a good crop of fruit more or less affected with rust, the 

 cause of which, in my opinion, is his over-partiality to moisture; 

 the atmosphere being constantly saturated. It is generally un- 

 derstood that a moist heat, at certain stages of the growth of the 

 vine, and at particular times of the day, is highly beneficial. My 

 own practice is, on no account to use the syringe after the 

 bloom has begun to expand, and ever after that has taken place 

 to take care that the temperature is not much raised by sun heat 

 in the morning previously to giving air, as in my opinion the rust 

 in a great measure owes its origin to the action of the sun upon 

 the moisture which has been condensed on the fruit. 



Another reason, I think, may also be assigned. Most gar- 

 deners are aware that, in thinning the berries (and more parti- 

 cularly if they are large), the fluid contained in the stalk of the 

 berries causes a chemical action on the scissors, the result of 

 which is a black moisture on their points; and if this moisture 

 is not frequently rubbed off, it accumulates all over the blades ; 

 and I make no doubt that scissors in this state touching any of 

 the berries will cause them to rust. In examining the bunch so 

 affected, it is frequently found that berries which the hair could 

 not come in contact with are as badly rusted as those which are 

 more exposed. I, of course, do not approve of touching them 

 with the hands or hair, but I cannot but believe that rust is the 

 result of one or both of the above-mentioned causes. 



Hertfordshire, June 7. 1842. 



Art. XIV. On the Instinct of Bees. By J. Wig h ton. 



The instinct of bees, like that of some other insects, is great, 

 but in some cases this seems to be exaggerated. Huber, for 



