PAXTON’S 
HORTICULTURAL REGISTER, 
JANUARY, 1836. 
HORTICULTURE. 
ON THE SHRIVELLING OF GRAPES. 
Battle Abbey , Nov. 20, 1835. 
Sir,— -Various are tlie opinions as to the cause of the disease often 
seen in grapes, called shrivelling or shanking: different writers on this 
important subject attribute it to different causes. As information is 
called for, I will endeavour to pen down my views on the subject. 
The vine, like all other things belonging to the vegetable creation, 
requires time before it can be possessed of a maturing principle, or at 
least time for that principle to be well organised, so as for the whole 
vine to be brought into a regular course, that every part may act in 
strict conformity with each other. Now with regard to young vines, or 
vines that have been recently planted, if they are called upon to bear a 
crop of grapes before their roots are established, the disease of shrivelling 
is sure to follow, for it is impossible for grapes to be brought to maturity 
while the roots of the vine are out of order; for on the well-establish¬ 
ment of these (the roots) the whole strength of the vine must depend. 
It is worthy of remark that the disease first shows itself at the points 
of the bunches, and the extremities of the shoulders. Now, allow me 
to ask why it commences at these parts of the bunches first ? It appears 
to me that it is the nature of the vine to put forth all the powers of 
which it is possessed to bring its crop to maturity ; and in so doing 
its strength becomes exhausted, and consequently those berries which 
are furthest from the vine are deprived of nourishment first. As a 
proof of what I have stated to be the cause of grapes shrivelling on 
young vines, I shall bring the following circumstance before you and 
VOL, V.-NO. LY. R 
