THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE. 107 



By this simple mode of management, I have so far con- 

 quered the disease, that, instead of losing half the bunches, 

 I now only lose a few berries here and there in some 

 of the bunches, and a few at the points of some of them, 

 but not any of any consequence. I never expect to get 

 entirely rid of it, as the great fault lies in the forma- 

 tion .of the border. We consider the vine to be a gross 

 feeder, and therefore think that it is impossible to make 

 the border too rich, but this is certainly a great error." 



Vol. 17, page 45. By Hobert Wilson, Gardener. 

 " There has been so much discussion on the shrivelling 

 of grapes, that I make bold to give my humble opinion 

 also, more especially as I consider our friend W. H, (vol. 

 for 1840, page 598,) not altogether correct in thinking 

 that the shrivelling proceeds from the border being too 

 rich and stimulating. Crowded foliage will be injurious, 

 as far as preventing free access to light and air. !N"or do 

 I acquiesce with our learned friend Dr. Lindley, in sup- 

 posing that it proceeds from the roots being too cold for 

 the internal atmosphere. I had vines under my care at 

 Edgerston, in Eoxburgshire, in the spring of 1837, when 

 the thermometer stood at 13° out of doors, and the inter- 

 nal atmosphere was 72°. The vines were planted on the 

 outside of the house, with their stems wrapped np with 

 moss, and the border mulched. They were planted in a 

 compost of strong hazelly loam, formed from the sward 

 of a pasture thoroughly decomposed, and one fourth ve- 

 getable mould of decayed tree leaves, one sixth of good 

 rotten horse and butcher's grub dung, and a little sheep 

 dung, with a moderate quantity of powdered bones and 

 lime rubbish. The borders were frequently watered with 



