PAXTON’S 
HORTICULTURAL REGISTER, 
MARCH, 1836. 
HORTICULTURE. 
ON THE SHANKING OF GRAPES. 
Wirksworth, Derby, January 14 th, 1836. 
I have read with great pleasure and interest, the numerous 
paragraphs which have of late been written on this disease. An 
excellent paper appeared in your November number, also in your last ; 
but these throw but little light on the subject after all; indeed, I think 
till lately sufficient attention has not been directed to it. 
Very numerous are the opinions as to its origin; the favourite 
opinion seems to be that it proceeds in a great measure from weakness. 
Here I would observe that the shrivelling, or I should rather say the 
withering of grapes produced from weakness, is in my opinion a very 
different disease from shanking. Mr. Judd has made some excellent 
remarks on this subject. The shanking takes place almost as quickly 
as a tree withers when struck by lightning. A person who has closely 
watched this disease, will have observed, that he may go into his house 
and see his grapes all looking well, and he shall return in three hours 
and find the fruit struck with this vexing disease. Now did it proceed 
from weakness, the shrivelling would be more gradual. My opinion 
on this subject is very similar to Mr. Judd’s, indeed I am inclined to 
think that nothing but damp and noisome vapour could produce the 
effect; and here I would observe that most gardeners are afraid of 
giving their vines too much air. I am convinced in most cases they 
might give them much more, and with great advantage. If I may be 
allowed to use the expression, I should say the shanking in grapes was 
a very similar thing to a paralytic stroke on the human body ; its effects 
VOL. V.-NO. LVII. M 
