408 ON THE DISEASE CALLED “ SHRIVELLING ” OF GRAPES. 
days, that I liave seen the leaves of thje vines vibrate in the breeze. A 
little air was also kept on through the night; but, notwithstanding 
every precaution taken, and every preventative resorted to, the disease 
continued to increase, until every bunch on the vine was more or less 
affected, and until maturation was complete in those which were left. 
It is worthy of remark, that this vine was taken up in the autumn of 
1832, and replanted in one of Mr. Mearns’ “ chambered borders:” 
this border was covered with glass, and a current of warm air passed 
(from the house) under and around the sides of it. Now this border 
was not cropped with vegetables, neither could it be saturated with 
water, unless it was manually applied ; and other grapes ripened well 
in the same atmosphere, and therefore it stands aloof from all the 
causes yet assigned: the vine was also in exuberant health. Now 
what could cause the disease here ? It would be rash for me to assign 
any reason; but it almost leads one to conjecture that there is a matur¬ 
ing principle inherent in the vine, and that this vine had not been 
planted a sufficient time to get that maturing principle properly 
organised or secreted, before it was called upon to mature a crop; and 
this conjecture is strengthened from the circumstance of vines always 
ripening a moderate crop better than they do a large one, and of old 
vines always producing fruit in a higher state of maturity than young 
ones do, in consequence, as I humbly imagine, of the maturing principle 
being more abundant in the old vine. 
So far, then, I have concentrated the opinions of practical gardeners, 
as far as I have been able to obtain them : and I have also, as concisely 
as possible, described the circumstances under which I have seen the 
disease occur. I could add more, probably, without enhancing the 
value of this long paper; but I shall conclude, for the present, with 
expressing a hope that such of the readers of this paper as can throw 
any light on this subject, whether practical, theoretical, or amateur 
gardeners, will do so at their earliest convenience : for in doing so they 
will not only be conferring a great boon on their brethren of the nine¬ 
teenth century, but they will also be conferring a benefit on gardeners 
even to the end of time. 
I or writing the above I may, perhaps, be thought presumptuous by 
some who know me, and especially by those who take fc long practice ” 
as the only standard of ability for such an undertaking; but for that 
I care but little, as I am conscious the subject I have taken up is one 
of great importance, and one which ought not to be allowed to repose 
unnoticed and unknown, because these long-experienced gentlemen do 
not please, or are not prepared to elucidate the subject.—I am, Sif, 
Yours very respectfully, Wm. Port Ayres. 
Middlesex , September 30th, 1835. 
