[ 300 ] 



XXV. Observations on a Disease to which Grapes are liable, 

 and on the Means of preventing it. By Mr. Daniel 

 Judd, F. H. JS. 



Read November 16, 1824. 



There is a disease to which Grapes grown under glass are 

 liable, which though so destructive, that when it does take 

 place it generally ruins the crop, yet I have never met with 

 any observations upon it, or directions how to prevent it. 



It is well known that after the berries are formed upon the 

 bunch, they advance pretty rapidly in size until the period 

 when the seeds are forming, when for a time their in- 

 crease seems suspended. Immediately after this it some- 

 times happens that the foot-stalks suddenly turn brown and 

 shrink, and the berries ceasing to increase in size, shrivel, 

 acquire an unpleasant taste, and ultimately fall off. By 

 many gardeners this disease is attributed to . the badness of 

 the border on which the Vines are planted, but it will be 

 found that it arises from a totally different cause. 



At the formation of the seeds, the skins of the berries as 

 well as of the foot-stalks are remarkably tender, and conse- 

 quently easily affected by the surrounding atmosphere. If 

 fresh air is not given early in the morning, before the internal 

 air becomes heated, a vapour rises in the house which is per- 

 ceptible by its condensing on the glass and walls, and on any 

 iron-work that may be in the house. If under these circum- 

 stances the bunches of fruit are carefully examined, the 



