RED SPIDER. 



61 



this, in a rich, cold, damp border, is not an early process 

 with a vine. On this subject Dr Lindley remarks : 

 — " It is not by the coarse old woody roots that the 

 absorption of food is most energetically carried on, 

 but by the youngest parts, and especially by the 

 spongioles." 



I have thus described what I think the primary 

 cause of shanking in grapes — namely, the destruction 

 of the young roots in winter. I will now assign what 

 I consider the reason why early-forced grapes are less 

 subject to it than late. Early-forced vines have their 

 roots formed earlier in the season than late ones. The 

 " rest " of the plant and the ripening of the roots are 

 thus more likely to be complete before the cold rains of 

 winter set in ; and even in a rich border, more of the 

 young roots survive than in the case of those of later- 

 started vines ; though, under all circumstances as to 

 time of forcing, the rich heavy border is very unsafe 

 for supplying constant crops of good grapes. 



RED SPIDER. 



This small insect is perhaps the greatest pest the 

 vine-grower has to contend with ; and as prevention 

 is better than cure, the first step to be taken is to wash 

 every part of the vinery, the wood and glass, with a 

 brush, and warm water well dashed into every crevice, 

 and the walls with a lime-wash made from hot shell- 

 lime, with a little sulphur stirred into it. Let all loose 

 bark be removed from the vines after they are pruned, 

 scrub them well with soap and water and a brush, and 

 give them a painting over with the mixture already 

 recommended ; let the soil of the border inside the 

 house be slightly forked, and give it a watering with 



