THE GRAPE VINE. 135 



over the house were more or less blackened. As the 

 berries grew the rusting became more apparent. What- 

 ever else will produce rust, sulphuring hot pipes while the 

 grapes are young will produce it. There is no cure for it 

 after it is produced that I know of. The best thing to 

 do when it occurs before the grapes are thinned, is not 

 to be in a hurry to thin, and to remove the bunches and 

 berries most affected. 



Excrescence on the under sides of the leaves. — This 

 consists of a mass of watery-like excrescences resembling 

 small green boils or blisters, thickly set on the under 

 sides of the leaves. They are produced by a warm 

 atmosphere too highly charged with moisture in conjunc- 

 tion with too little ventilation. I have seen some very 

 inveterate cases of it this very damp sunless season 

 (1872), and, as Editor of the 'Gardener,' have had 

 numerous examples of it sent for inspection. It can be 

 prevented by not allowing too much moisture in the air, 

 and arrested in its progress by the same means ; but once 

 the excrescences are formed, I do not know of a cure. 



Scalding. — This affection seems peculiar to certain 

 varieties of grapes, and to Lady Downes's seedling in par- 

 ticular, just as it approaches the stoning stage. I have 

 frequently had berries sent to me so affected. One side 

 of the berry looks as if it had been suddenly scalded 

 with hot water, and the part affected collapses and 

 decays. It is caused by heat, and the only way to 

 prevent it is to keep the vinery well ventilated and cool 

 by opening both the top and bottom lights. When the 

 grapes begin to swell after stoning, there is no further 

 fear of its appearing. 



