ON THE SHANKING OP GRAPES. 
323 
very soon discarded for some other sort. The same thing happens in 
cultivating the different varieties of wheat and other cereal crops; on 
their first introduction to any locality they are profitable for a few years 
only, but in every succeeding year become weaker and weaker: some 
varieties, however, are more permanent than others. 
Nurserymen who obtain tree-seeds, whether of old or new species, 
from abroad, find their advantage in this, both in obtaining stronger 
seedlings and greater credit from their customers who plant them ; and 
from the same cause, when a nurseryman imports a new species of a 
forest tree, he is very apt, from the vigorous appearance of the seed¬ 
lings, to give the tree a higher character than it deserves. 
Agricultural seeds, such as the different sorts of clover, &c., are 
chiefly imported from the continent, and cost the British and Irish 
farmers annually a large sum of money; but this they had better 
submit to pay, than sow their own saved seed; at the same time, it 
would be a double benefit to the agriculturists were the duty on these 
seeeds taken off or reduced. 
To the Editor of the Horticultural Register. 
ON THE SHANKING OF GRAPES. 
Sir, —In your last number there is a letter from Mr. W. Denyer on 
the “ Shanking of Grapes.” I see that, with most others, he confounds 
the two diseases of shrivelling and shanking, which I feel persuaded 
are two distinct things. Mr. D., I see, inclines much to the opinion, 
that this disease proceeds from weakness ; he must excuse me when I say 
I believe in ninety-nine cases out of every hundred it does not, if at 
all. Weakness will produce withering, but not shanking, if the house 
be dry. If vines are allowed to bear more than they have strength to 
bring to perfection, of course withering will he the consequence; but 
shanking is a different thing. If a house be perfectly dry, I believe 
shanking cannot take place. Mr. D. states, “ When there is the least 
appearance of the disease, great attention should be paid to giving a 
good and regular supply of air, as the closer a house is kept, the more 
will the disease increase : ” there can be no doubt of this in a house at 
all inclined to damp, for, do what you will, it will increase. This I 
consider only tends to prove my former arguments. Mr. D. asks those 
who are of this opinion, “ Why the disease only makes its appearance 
when the grapes are changing colour? ” This I feel surprised at. I 
must here beg leave to say, in opposition to his opinion, that there is 
every reason why it should take place at this period, being a very 
critical one with the grape, and one in which the fruit is not able to 
bear the noisome atmosphere created by damp. I was last year in 
