187G. ] 
VINES AND VINE-CULTUHE.—CHAPTEE 
2G1 
or with, the hair of the head, is one. It is well, therefore, not to touch 
or handle the berries in any way; they are easily bruised and spoiled ; but this 
is not the chief cause of rust. Cold draughts of air are also suspected. Avoid, 
therefore, cold draughts or currents of air whilst the Grapes are young; they 
are very injurious, even if rust is not caused by them. Rust is most common 
in early houses, where a good deal of firing is required, and especially in those 
where the old-fashioned flues are still in use. An extra-heated flue, with the 
inevitable dry parched air, and the fumes of sulphur, will cause rust to a cer¬ 
tainty ; and so also will sulphur, when applied to hot pipes, as is frequently done 
in order to destroy red-spider. It is good judgment, therefore, to avoid the use 
of sulphur, whilst the berries are so young and tender. Later on, the skin 
becomes more hardened, and is not so easily injured. 
Spot .—In som§ cases this appears to be constitutional, or at all events, some 
Spot on Grapes. 
varieties of Grapes are much more subject to this evil than others. It may be 
noted that where it is regarded as “ constitutional,” the connection between the 
affected parts and the seeds and axis of the berry may be traced. In other cases, it 
is more superficial, and apparently accidental, or the result of bad health. It is 
sudden in its action, and sometimes very injurious. Muscats are, perhaps, more 
subject to spot than any other class of Grapes. On its first appearance, which 
is when the Grapes are young, tender, and swelling fast, a small, irregular whitish 
mark is seen on the side of the berry, as if it had been bruised in some way; the 
pulp beneath dries up, and a sort of contraction occurs, the berry soon assuming 
a one-sided, irfegular form, as it is represented in the accompanying illustration. 
In cases where the berries are much affected, they should be cut out. As to the 
cause, it is at times difi&cult thoroughly to ascertain its origin. By some it is believed 
to be caused by sudden chills, such as having the house very close and moist, and 
