1877. ] 
VINES AND VINE-CULTURE.-CHAPTER XI. 
7 
ing, acting cither singly or in combination; yet when a case of shanking appears, 
it may be very difficult to trace it to its true origin, or to apply a remedy. Many 
of the above-named causes may be avoided by good management, as indeed 
they all should ; but where the roots are at fault, either through being in a 
too rich or a too wet sour border, the only remedy that can be adopted is to 
take them up carefully ; remake the border thoroughly, taking care, if in a 
low or damp locality, to use a greater proportion of porous materials than before, 
so as to secure good drainage; and replant them. 
Adventitious^ or Air-Boots .—These are so called from their being pro¬ 
duced on the stem of the 
vine, and their being sus¬ 
pended in the air like so 
many threads, as repre¬ 
sented by the accompany¬ 
ing figure. They are of 
the same character as the 
true roots, and only re¬ 
quire to be brought into 
contact with the soil to be¬ 
come such. These air-roots 
are sometimes produced in 
great profusion from every 
part of the stem, frequently 
attaining a foot or more 
in length, and so give the 
vine a strange appearance. 
There is no particular harm 
in them per se, but their 
presence betokens a want 
of proper action on the part 
of the true roots run¬ 
ning naturally in the 
soil. They are a sign 
of bad health, and are 
frequently the precur¬ 
sors of shanking. They 
give evidence that the ' adventitious roots op Vines. 
proper roots are not in a condition to supply the great demands of a large 
expanse of foliage, &c., and that, aided by a warm, moist atmosphere 
within the house. Nature is trying to supply this want. Close warmth 
and moisture will induce the formation of such roots from vine-stems at 
any time. But if the true roots in a border are in a perfectly congenial 
condition, no air gr adventitious roots will bo produced in any ordinarily well- 
