account of winter injury but yielding good crops farther south.
Canes variable in length, intermediate in number and thickness,
covered with considerable blue bloom; tendrils intermittent, bifid
to trifid. Leaves large, not uniform in color; lower surface
grayish-green, slightly pubescent; stamens upright. Fruit ripens
soon after Concord, matures evenly, keeps and ships well. Clusters
medium to large, frequently single-shouldered, strongly compact.
Berries below medium to small, roundish, frequently compressed on
account of compactness of cluster, attractive black, covered with
abundant blue bloom, persistent. Skin thin, tough. Flesh medium
juicy, fine-grained, tender, spicy, somewhat tart from skin to
center, good in quality. Seeds separate very easily from the pulp,
not numerous, long, intermediate in size, sometimes with enlarged
neck.
JAMES.
(Rotundifolia.)
=1.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1889=:136. =2.= _Bush. Cat._,
=1894=:178. =3.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._, =1899=:30. =4.= _Ga. Sta.
Bul._, =53=:45. 1901. =5.= _N. C. Sta. Bul._, =187=:61. 1903. =6.=
_S. C. Sta. Bul._, =132=:16, 18. 1907.
James is the only variety of Rotundifolia possible to illustrate in this
work. The accompanying color-plate, while not wholly satisfactory, yet
shows characteristic fruit and foliage somewhat reduced in size. James
is one of the largest of the Rotundifolia grapes and probably the best
general purpose variety of this species. It cannot be grown north of
Maryland.
The variety was originated by J. Van Lindley of Pitt County, North
Carolina. It was introduced about 1890 and was placed on the grape list
of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1899. It is not
known in the North but is cultivated more or less throughout the habitat
of _Vitis rotundifolia_ in the South.
The following description of the variety is a compilation:
Vine vigorous, healthy, productive. Flowers open very late; stamens
reflexed. Fruit ripens late, hangs on the vines for three weeks,
keeps well. Clusters small, containing from four to twelve berries,
irregular, loose. Berries large, three-fourths to one and
one-quarter inches in diameter, roundish, black or blue-black. Skin
very thin. Pulp juicy, sweet, good to best in quality.
JANESVILLE.
(Labrusca, Riparia.)
=1.= _Rec. of Hort._, =1868=:45. =2.= _Horticulturist_, =24=:52,
203. 1869. _fig._ =3.= _Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1879=:65. =4.=
_Wis. Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1881-2=:141. =5.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._,
=1883=:26. =6.= _Rural N. Y._, =45=:622. 1886. =7.= _Wis. Sta. An.
Rpt._, =5=:161. 1888. =8.= _Mass. Hatch Sta. Bul._, =2=:20. 1888.
=9.= _Wis. Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1889=:117. =10.= _N. Y. Sta. An.
Rpt._, =10=:496. 1891. =11.= _Bush. Cat._, =1894=:143. =12.= _Del.
Sta. An. Rpt._, =7=:135, 138. 1895. =13.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._,
=17=:531, 545, 547, 555. 1898.
Endowed with a constitution which enables it to withstand a degree of
cold to which most other varieties of grapes would succumb, Janesville
has made a place for itself in far northern localities. Moreover, it
ripens very early, being one of the first to color though not ripe until
some time after fully colored; and earliness is another requisite for a
northern location. The vine, too, is generally healthy, vigorous and
productive. But the fruit is worthless where better sorts can be grown.
The clusters and berries are small, or of only medium size, while the
grapes are pulpy, tough, seedy, with a thick skin and a disagreeable
acid taste. Janesville has so many good vine characters that it may be
of value for breeding purposes. It is fit for cultivation only in
northern localities where better grapes cannot be grown or where fruit
for a cheap red wine is wanted.
[Illustration: JANESVILLE]
Janesville was grown by F. W. Loudon, of Janesville, Wisconsin, from
seed secured at the Rock County Fair in 1858. It fruited for the first
time in 1861 and was introduced several years later by C. H. Greenman of
Milton, Wisconsin, who had bought the variety from the originator for
$1000. It was named by the Wisconsin Horticultural Society in 1868.
Janesville was placed on the grape list in the American Pomological
Society fruit catalog in 1883 and is still retained. It is said by many
to be a cross of Hartford and Clinton but this is a surmise and nothing
is positively known as to its parentage. Its botanical characters are
plainly those of a Labrusca-Riparia cross but with what admixture of the
two species cannot be told. The early blooming season, and sometimes
intermittent tendrils, indicate _Vitis riparia_, while foliage and
fruit show both this species and _Vitis labrusca_.
Vine vigorous to very vigorous, healthy, hardy, productive to very
productive. Canes spiny, intermediate in length, numerous, medium
to below in size, dark brown; nodes flattened; internodes long to
medium; diaphragm thick; pith intermediate in size; shoots thinly
pubescent; tendrils intermittent to continuous, long, bifid to
trifid.
Leaf-buds medium to below in size, short, thick, conical,
prominent, open early. Young leaves tinged on under side and
faintly along margin of upper side with rose carmine. Leaves small
to medium, somewhat thin; upper surface variable in color, glossy
and smooth; lower surface pale green, slightly pubescent; veins
indistinct; leaf usually not lobed with terminus acute; petiolar
sinus intermediate in depth, narrow, often closed and overlapping;
basal and lateral sinuses lacking; teeth shallow, of average width.
Flowers fertile, open very early; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens slightly earlier than Concord although it colors much
earlier, keeps well. Clusters medium to small, short, of average
breadth, cylindrical to tapering, usually single-shouldered,
compact; peduncle short, slender; pedicel short, slender, covered
with small scattering warts; brush dark wine color. Berries
intermediate in size, roundish to slightly oval, dull black,
covered with rather heavy blue bloom, usually persistent, firm.
Skin thick, medium to nearly tough, adheres slightly to the pulp,
contains considerable dark wine-colored pigment, astringent. Flesh
pale reddish-green, translucent, juicy, very tough, rather coarse,
vinous, sweet next the skin but quite acid at the center, fair in
quality. Seeds adhere to the pulp, one to six, average three, above
medium in size, broad, often angular, rather blunt, dark brown;
raphe obscure; chalaza large, ovate, moderately distinct.
JEFFERSON.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
=1.= _Gar. Mon._, =21=:362. 1879. =2.= _Ib._, =22=:142, 176, 191.
1880. =3.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1881=:33, 44. =4.= Downing,
=1881=:167 app. =5.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._, =1881=:24. =6.= _Am.
Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1885=:83, 103, 105. =7.= _Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt._,
=1885-6=:171. =8.= _Gar. and For._, =3=:178, 290. 1890. =9.= _Bush.
Cat._, =1894=:143. _fig._ =10.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:531,
548, 552. 1898. =11.= _Va. Sta. Bul._, =94=:137. 1898. =12.= _Kan.
Sta. Bul._, =110=:239. 1902.
Jefferson is the offspring of Concord crossed with Iona, resembling in
vigor, productiveness and healthiness the Concord, though not equal to
it; and in color and quality of fruit the Iona. It falls considerably
short of being an Iona fruit on a Concord vine, however, which would
have made it one of the most valuable of American grapes. The vine
produces its fruit two weeks later than Concord and is not nearly as
hardy, faults that debar it from taking high rank as a commercial grape
in New York. In its botanical characters and in immunity from diseases
it is almost identical with Concord. Fortunately the vines yield readily
to "laying down" for winter protection so that even in commercial
plantations it is not difficult to cover the vines and so prevent winter
injury.
The fruit of Jefferson is handsomer than that of Iona and of almost
equal quality. The accompanying color-plate shows the large,
well-formed, compact bunch, with berries of uniform size and color,
which, taken together, make it one of the most attractive of red grapes.
The flesh is firm, yet tender and juicy with a rich, vinous flavor and a
delicate aroma which persists even after the berries have dried into
raisins. The fruit ships and keeps well, the berries adhering to the
cluster and the fruit retaining its freshness into late winter. The vine
characters, with the exceptions of late bearing and tenderness to cold,
are in the main good.
Jefferson is widely distributed and is well known by viticulturists in
eastern America. It is not particular as to localities, if the season be
long and the climate temperate, and thrives in nearly all grape soils
though it does not flourish in a soil strongly impregnated with lime.
This variety is deserving greater recognition as a commercial grape than
it now receives. In a discriminating market it should command a
sufficiently high price to make it a profitable variety to grow in this
State despite its need of protection. Few grapes, and probably no red
grape, are more desirable inhabitants of the garden than Jefferson; it
not only furnishes an abundance of the best long-keeping fruit, but is
also very ornamental throughout the season.
This variety is one of J. H. Ricketts'[196] grapes from seed of
Concord pollinated with Iona. It fruited for the first time in 1874
and was introduced about 1880. In 1881 it was placed on the grape list
of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog and has never been
removed. Of all the remarkable seedlings raised by Ricketts the
Jefferson is best known and most widely disseminated. The variety won
for its originator the Wilder silver medal and as grown by him seldom
failed to take premiums at exhibitions where shown. It is greatly to be
regretted that the variety does not have all of the characters requisite
to adapt it to culture in commercial vineyards.
Vine normally vigorous, healthy, not always hardy, medium in
productiveness. Canes short, numerous, about medium in thickness,
light to dark brown; nodes enlarged, roundish; internodes short;
diaphragm thick; pith medium to below in size; shoots heavily
pubescent; tendrils intermittent, medium to short, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds small, short, slender, pointed to conical, open very
late. Young leaves tinged on under side and along margin of upper
side with rose carmine. Leaves healthy, above medium to small, of
average thickness; upper surface light green, medium to rugose on
older leaves; lower surface very pale green, strongly pubescent;
veins distinct; leaf usually not lobed with terminus acute;
petiolar sinus of mean depth, narrow to wide, sometimes closed and
overlapping; basal sinus usually absent; lateral sinus shallow,
often a mere notch; teeth regular, shallow, of average width.
Flowers nearly fully self-fertile, open late; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens late, usually about with Catawba, keeps and ships
well. Clusters large to medium, intermediate in length and width,
cylindrical to slightly tapering, usually single-shouldered, but
sometimes double-shouldered, medium to compact; peduncle short,
slender; pedicel medium to short, slender, covered with a few,
small, inconspicuous warts, enlarged at point of attachment to
fruit; brush rather long, slender, pale yellowish-green. Berries
medium in size, oval to nearly roundish, light and dark red,
glossy, covered with a moderate amount of lilac bloom, persistent,
very firm. Skin somewhat thick, tough, nearly free from pulp,
contains no pigment, slightly astringent. Flesh light
yellowish-green, translucent, very juicy, coarse-grained, tender,
vinous, sweet at skin to agreeably tart at center, good to best in
quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, one to four, average
three, intermediate in size, broad, medium to short, blunt, usually
plump, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of medium size, slightly
above center, circular to pear-shaped, distinct.
JESSICA.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
=1.= _Gar. Mon._, =24=:339. 1882. =2.= _W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt._,
=29=:19. 1884. =3.= _Can. Cen. Exp. Farms Rpt._, =1891=:135. =4.=
_Col. Sta. Bul._, =29=:22. 1894. =5.= _Bush. Cat._, =1894=:144.
=6.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:531, 548, 552. 1898. =7.= _Mich.
Sta. Bul._, =169=:171. 1899. =8.= _Ont. Fr. Exp. Stas. Rpt._,
=8=:10, _fig._, 48. 1901. =9.= _Can. Hort._, =24=:447. 1901. _fig._
Jessica is an early, hardy green grape from Canada. In flavor it is very
good for so early a variety, being sweet, rich yet sprightly and almost
free from foxiness. But the fruit lacks in attractiveness and keeping
quality, and shells badly when overripe. The clusters and berries are
small, and the color is too green and the cluster too loose for a good
grape. Jessica may be commended for earliness and hardiness and is
therefore desirable, if at all, in northern regions.
William H. Read of Port Dalhousie, Ontario, grew Jessica from seed
planted some time between 1870 and 1880. It was introduced in 1884 by D.
W. Beadle of St. Catharines, Ontario. Jessica has been quite thoroughly
tested in different parts of the United States but has never become
popular and is to be found only in varietal vineyards. The parentage of
the variety is unknown but it is generally considered to be of mixed
Labrusca and Vinifera blood, the tendrils, foliage, fruit characters and
the weaknesses of the grape all showing a Vinifera hybrid.
Vine medium in vigor, usually healthy, hardy, variable in
productiveness. Canes medium to long, numerous, thickish,
moderately dark brown with red tinge changing to ash-gray on some
canes; tendrils continuous to intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves
small to medium, intermediate in thickness; upper surface medium to
dark green, glossy, often somewhat rugose; lower surface pale
green, very pubescent; veins indistinct. Flowers nearly fertile,
open in mid-season; stamens upright.
[Illustration: JEWELL]
Fruit ripens among the earliest of the white grapes, keeps only
fairly well. Clusters medium to small, not long, slender, tapering,
usually single-shouldered, intermediate in compactness. Berries
small to medium, roundish, light green, often tinged with yellow,
covered with thin grayish-white bloom, rather persistent unless
overripe, moderately soft. Skin rather thin, of average toughness,
adheres but slightly to the pulp, contains no pigment, faintly
astringent. Flesh pale green, almost transparent, juicy, tender,
soft, sprightly, sweet, good to above in flavor and quality. Seeds
adhere somewhat to the pulp, about average in size and length,
medium to broad, notched, brownish; raphe buried in a narrow
groove; chalaza small, above center, circular, nearly distinct.
JEWEL.
(Labrusca, Bourquiniana, Vinifera.)
=1.= _Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1883=:78. =2.= _Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt._,
=1885=:280. =3.= _Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1885-6=:128. =4.= _Kan.
Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1886=:187. =5.= _Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt._,
=1886-7=:205. =6.= _Rural N. Y._, =46=:607. 1887. _fig._ =7.= _Am.
Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1887=:98. =8.= _Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt._,
=1888-9=:107. =9.= _Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1889=:373. =10.= _N. Y.
Sta. An. Rpt._, =11=:627. 1893. =11.= _Bush. Cat._, =1894=:144.
=12.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:531, 548, 555. 1898. =13.= _Mo.
Sta. Bul._, =46=:39, 42, 46, 51, 76. 1899.
BURR'S EARLY (1, 2). _Burr No. 1_ (4). _Jewell_ (2).
Jewel has much to recommend it, yet it has been grown since 1874 without
having become widely distributed or well known. Its strong characters
are earliness and high quality, though as compared with Delaware, its
parent, it is not lacking in vigor, health, or hardiness, the vine
characters that contribute most to a desirable variety. For a grape of
this parentage, it is remarkably free from fungal diseases. In form and
size of bunch and berry it closely resembles Delaware but is a deep
black in color. The flesh characters and flavor are much like those of
Delaware, the pulp being tender, yet firm, and the flavor having the
same rich, sprightly, vinous taste found in the parent, though it can
hardly be said to equal the Delaware in the characters which make high
quality. The seeds are few and small. The skin is thin but tough, and
the fruit, considering the tenderness of the flesh, ships remarkably
well. It keeps long and does not shell, and though an early grape, will
hang until frost if the robins, one of the worst pests of the
grape-grower, can be kept from them.
Jewel is a most excellent little grape, almost worthy the place among
black grapes that Delaware has among red ones. In particular it is
recommended for its earliness and for those localities to the North
where standard varieties, as Concord, do not ripen. Our list of early
grapes is large, but most of them are poor in quality, while Jewel is
deserving in this respect to stand well toward the head of the list.
John Burr of Leavenworth, Kansas, grew Jewel from seed of Delaware
planted about 1874. The blossoms being open to cross-pollination, the
male parent is unknown. It was introduced in 1887 by Stayman & Black of
Leavenworth. Jewel has been quite widely tested in varietal vineyards
but has never become popular and in the East, in particular, is hardly
known.
Vine medium to vigorous, healthy, hardy except in exposed
locations, medium to productive. Canes intermediate in length and
number, slender, light to dark reddish-brown; nodes enlarged,
flattened; internodes medium to short; diaphragm thickish; pith
medium to below in size; shoots thinly pubescent; tendrils
continuous, of average length, bifid.
Leaf-buds of medium size, short, thick, conical, open early. Young
leaves heavily tinged on under side and along margin of upper side
with rose-carmine. Leaves scant, intermediate in size, thick; upper
surface light green, dull, medium to rugose; lower surface tinged
with bronze, heavily pubescent; veins well defined; lobes three
when present, with terminus acute; petiolar sinus of average depth,
narrow to medium; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus
shallow, wide; teeth shallow, of ordinary width. Flowers sterile,
open in mid-season or somewhat earlier; stamens reflexed.
Fruit ripens about with Moore Early, keeps and ships well. Clusters
medium to small, slender to medium, tapering to cylindrical,
single-shouldered, medium to compact; peduncle inferior in length,
of average size; pedicel short to medium, slender; brush short,
wine-colored. Berries medium in size, roundish to oval, dark
purplish-black, dull, covered with heavy, blue bloom, persistent,
moderately firm. Skin inclined to thin, tough, adheres to the pulp,
contains dark, wine-colored pigment, not astringent. Flesh pale
green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, usually tender, sprightly,
vinous, sweet from skin to center, not foxy, good to very good in
quality. Seeds do not separate readily from the pulp, one to four,
average two, intermediate in size and breadth, frequently
one-sided, blunt, light brown; raphe hidden in a deep groove;
chalaza small, above center, circular to oval, distinct.
KENSINGTON.
(Vinifera, Riparia, Labrusca.)
=1.= _Can. Cen. Exp. Farms Rpt._, =1891=:135. =2.= _Bush. Cat._,
1894:144. =3.= _Can. Cen. Exp. Farms Rpt._, =1897=:63. =4.= _N. Y.
Sta. An. Rpt._, =18=:395. 1899.
Kensington is chiefly interesting as a cross between Riparia and
Vinifera, though it has several very meritorious fruit and vine
characters.
[Illustration: KENSINGTON]
It resembles Clinton, its Riparia parent, in vigor, hardiness, growth,
and productiveness of vine and in the botanical characters of vine and
foliage; but the fruit has many of the characters of the European
parent, Buckland Sweetwater. The grape is a handsome yellowish-green
with large oval berries in a somewhat loose cluster of medium size. As
it grows on the grounds of this Station, the clusters contain many
undeveloped berries and are not as uniform in size and shape as might be
desirable. While the quality is not equal to that of Buckland
Sweetwater, it is much better than Clinton, ranking among good to best
grapes. The flesh is tender and juicy, though slightly stringy, with a
rich, sweet, vinous flavor. The seeds are markedly those of Vinifera.
The hardiness of the vine and the high quality of the fruit should make
Kensington a favorite green grape in northern gardens. It is doubtful if
its good characters are sufficient in number or degree to make it of
value for commercial vineyards.
This variety was produced by William Saunders of London, Ontario, from
seed of Clinton pollinated by Buckland Sweetwater. It was sent out for
testing sometime between 1870 and 1880 and since that time has been
carefully tried at the Canadian Experiment Station and this Station, and
with very favorable results. For some reason it seems not to have been
very generally introduced into cultivation and nurserymen scarcely
handle it though it ought to be found in gardens and in northern
vineyards at least.
Vine vigorous, hardy, usually productive but sometimes an uncertain
bearer, somewhat susceptible to attacks of mildew and leaf-hoppers.
Canes medium to long, of average number, somewhat slender, light
brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes short to medium;
diaphragm intermediate in thickness; pith of medium size; shoots
thinly pubescent; tendrils persistent, intermittent to continuous,
rather long, bifid to sometimes trifid.
Leaf-buds medium to below in size, variable in length, slender,
conical to pointed, open very late. Young leaves tinged with faint
rose-carmine on lower side only; upper side heavily pubescent,
prevailing color pale green with faintest trace of carmine. Leaves
small to medium, thin; upper surface light green, glossy, smooth to
medium; lower surface pale green, pubescent, somewhat hairy; lobes
none to three with terminus obtuse to acute; petiolar sinus of
average depth, moderately narrow; basal sinus shallow when present;
lateral sinus shallow, usually a notch; teeth deep and wide.
Flowers strongly self-fertile, open medium early; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens about with Concord, does not keep very long in good
condition. Clusters medium to large, intermediate in length and
breadth, cylindrical to tapering, often heavily single-shouldered,
sometimes double-shouldered, loose to medium, frequently with many
undeveloped berries; peduncle long to medium, slender; pedicel long
and slender, covered with numerous small, inconspicuous warts, wide
at point of attachment to fruit; brush short, pale green. Berries
variable in size, distinctly oval, attractive green changing to
yellowish-green as the fruit matures, glossy, covered with thin
gray bloom, persistent, moderately firm. Skin thin, somewhat tough,
adheres to the pulp, contains no pigment, faintly astringent. Flesh
greenish, transparent, juicy, tender, stringy, vinous, sweet, good
in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp when fully ripe but
frequently leave some flesh attached to the seed, two to four,
average three, heavily wrinkled, large and long, broad to medium,
somewhat sharp pointed, yellowish-brown; raphe buried in a shallow
groove; chalaza of average size, above center, very irregular in
shape, rather distinct.
KING.
(Labrusca?)
=1.= _Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1905=:602. =2.= _Ib._, =1906=:215.
King has not fruited on the grounds of this Station, but one of the
authors of this work was a committeeman from the Michigan Horticultural
Society to name and describe the variety as it grew on the grounds of
the originator. The following was the estimate of it made at that time:
"The King is more vigorous and prolific than the Concord, time of
ripening and length of season the same, clusters are one-fourth larger,
grapes are more persistent in pedicels, pulp is more tender, flavor
nearly the same, but more sprightly, seeds fewer in number, wood harder
and of shorter joints and the pedicels are larger."
This variety was found growing in the Concord vineyard of W. K. Munson,
Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1892. The vine was set for a Concord, and is
either a bud-sport of that variety or is some other sort that became
accidentally mixed with the Concord vines. Mr. Munson believes it to be
the former. King is thought by some to be Eaton on account of its close
resemblance to that variety but the grape-growers who have examined it,
generally hold it to be distinct. It is in all respects a typical black
offspring of Concord, whether superior remains to be determined. It has
been widely disseminated and its place in viticulture should soon be
known. In seeking the origin of the grapes described in this work, an
effort has been made to determine whether any could be said with
certainty to have arisen from bud-sports. King is the best authenticated
bud-sport among the grapes here listed and yet there is, as the above
history shows, some doubt as to its having originated in this way.
[Illustration: LADY]
The description of King given below was made from vines and fruit from
Ellwanger & Barry's vineyards, Rochester, New York.
Vine vigorous to very vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes medium to
above in length, intermediate in number and thickness, medium to
dark reddish-brown; tendrils continuous to intermittent, trifid to
bifid. Leaves unusually large, thick; upper surface medium green,
dull, of average smoothness; lower surface grayish-white changing
to slight bronze, considerably pubescent; veins fairly distinct.
Fruit ripens between Worden and Concord, appears to keep well.
Clusters large to above medium, above average length, broad to
medium, irregularly tapering to slightly cylindrical, usually
single-shouldered, compact to medium. Berries unusually large
averaging slightly below McPike in size, roundish, reddish-black to
black as the fruit fully matures, covered with heavy blue bloom,
persistent, firm. Skin medium to thick, tough, adheres considerably
to the pulp, contains a moderate amount of reddish pigment,
astringent. Flesh pale green, very juicy, somewhat tough, stringy
and with some foxiness, sweet at skin to agreeably tart at center,
good in quality. Seeds adherent, not numerous, above average in
size, short, broad, slightly notched if at all, blunt to medium,
plump, light brown; raphe hidden in a shallow groove; chalaza
large, at center or above, obscure.
LADY.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
=1.= _Horticulturist_, =29=:48. 1874. =2.= _Ib._, =30=:84, _fig._,
367. 1875. =3.= _Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1875=:295, 411. _fig._
=4.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =18=:40, 135, 136, 143, 162. 1881. =5.=
_Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._, =1881=:24. =6.= _N. J. Hort. Soc. Rpt._,
=1881=:12. =7.= _Bush. Cat._, =1883=:114. =8.= _Ill. Hort. Soc.
Rpt._, =1883=:81. =10.= _Rural N. Y._, =45=:234, 622. 1886. =12.=
_Gar. and For._, =3=:178, 214, 490, 599. 1890. =13.= _Ill. Sta.
Bul._, =28=:264. 1893. =14.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:532, 548,
552. 1898.
Lady is generally accredited with being the highest in quality of all
the seedlings of Concord and, added to its high quality, it is early,
fairly vigorous, hardy, and nearly as free from fungal diseases as its
parent. It is not, however, without faults, one of which, a thin, tender
skin which cracks badly, wholly debars it from ever making a commercial
variety for other than nearby markets. The vine is much like that of
Concord, though not as vigorous nor as productive, but ripening its
fruit fully two weeks earlier. The fruit is much superior to Concord in
quality, being richer, sweeter, and having less foxiness. It hangs on
the vines well but deteriorates rapidly after picking. The term
"ironclad" used by grape-growers to express hardiness and freedom from
diseases, is probably as applicable to Lady as to any other of our
Labrusca grapes. The foliage is dense and of a deep glossy green color,
neither scalding under a hot sun, nor freezing until heavy frosts,
making it an attractive ornament in the garden. It is deservedly popular
as an amateur grape and should be planted more for nearby markets. It
may be expected to succeed wherever Concord is grown, and because of its
early ripening is especially adapted to northern latitudes where Concord
does not always mature. Though it ripens early it starts its buds late
and blossoms late, thereby often escaping late spring frosts.
When Lady was first heard of, it was in the hands of a Mr. Imlay of
Muskingum County, Ohio. He had received it as a premium from an
agricultural paper with others, all represented to be pure Concord
seedlings. This was during the Civil War. Later the variety was sold to
George W. Campbell of Delaware, Ohio, who introduced it in 1874. Lady
was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit
catalog in 1881 where it is still retained. The Lady is another example
of a green seedling of Concord which excels its parent in quality. Among
several of such seedlings, this variety is one of the highest in
quality.
Vine weak to moderately vigorous, hardy, medium in productiveness,
healthy. Canes short, medium in number, slender, dark
reddish-brown; nodes of fair size, flattened; internodes short;
diaphragm thick; pith intermediate in size; shoots pubescent;
tendrils intermittent, of average length, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds small, short, pointed to conical. Leaves medium to below
in size, of average thickness; upper surface light green, glossy,
medium to somewhat rugose; lower surface pale green; pubescent;
veins rather indistinct; lobes none to five, with terminal lobe
acuminate; petiolar sinus shallow to medium, wide; basal sinus of
average width; lateral sinus variable in depth and width; teeth
medium to shallow, intermediate in width. Flowers fertile, open in
mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens with Winchell, does not keep well. Clusters not
uniform, small to above medium, short, slender, cylindrical,
sometimes single-shouldered, compact to straggling; peduncle medium
to short, of average size; pedicel intermediate in length, thick
and smooth, wide at point of attachment to fruit; brush slender,
long, greenish-white. Berries variable in size, large to below
medium, roundish, light green, often with tinge of yellow, glossy,
covered with thin gray bloom, persistent, firm. Skin covered with
small, scattering, dark dots, inclined to crack, thin, tender,
adheres slightly to the pulp, contains no pigment, slightly
astringent. Flesh greenish-white, translucent, juicy, tender,
aromatic, agreeably sweet from skin to center, very good in
quality. Seeds separate from the pulp rather easily, few in
number, intermediate in size and length, medium to broad, blunt,
light brown; raphe obscure; chalaza large, above center, circular
to oval, not distinct.
[Illustration: LADY WASHINGTON]
LADY WASHINGTON.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
=1.= _Gar. Mon._, =19=:336. 1877. =2.= _Ib._, =20=:47. 1878. =3.=
_Ib._, =21=:147. 1879. =4.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1881=:33, 46.
=5.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._, =1881=:24. =6.= _Gar. Mon._, =26=:14,
334. 1884. =7.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =5=:167, 168. 1886. =8.=
_Ib._, =9=:331. 1890. =9.= _Ala. Sta. Bul._, =10=:11. 1890. =10.=
_Kan. Sta. Bul._, =28=:164. 1891. =11.= _Col. Sta. Bul._, =29=:22.
1894. =12.= _Bush. Cat._, =1894=:147. =13.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._,
=17=:532, 541, 544, 545, 547, 552. 1898.
Were there not so many really fine green grapes, and were they sought
for by grape-buyers, more might be said commendatory of Lady Washington.
It is in many respects a most excellent grape but it falls short in
quality for a green grape and does not excel greatly in vine characters;
it cannot therefore be highly recommended to grape-growers except to
give variety in the vineyard and for locations where it does
preeminently well. The fruit makes an excellent appearance, keeps well
and ships well, and is fairly tender, juicy and sweet, with a delicate
aroma. The vine is very luxuriant,--too much so,--hardy for a grape with
Vinifera blood, and healthy, though slightly susceptible to mildew. As
an exhibition grape few green varieties show better when grown with all
possible care and in a favorable location, for the variety is somewhat
capricious as to soils and locations. It appears to be a desirable
variety for home use. In the West and Southwest it is said to succeed
better than most others of Ricketts' grapes.
Lady Washington is another of J. H. Ricketts' fine seedlings, this
variety having come from seed of Concord fertilized by Allen's Hybrid.
It was introduced in 1878, placed on the grape list of the American
Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1881, and is still retained there.
The vine characters of Lady Washington are mostly those of _Vitis
labrusca_ but the fruit plainly shows the admixture of Vinifera.
Vine usually more vigorous than Concord, sometimes sustains winter
injury, productive, susceptible to mildew. Canes long, few, thick,
moderately dark brown; nodes greatly enlarged, variable in shape;
internodes medium to long; diaphragm thick; pith large to medium;
shoots strongly pubescent; tendrils continuous, long, bifid to
trifid.
Leaf-buds large to medium, short, thick, open late. Young leaves
lightly tinged on under side and along margin of upper side with
light rose-carmine. Leaves medium to large, rather thick; upper
surface dark green, older leaves strongly rugose, glossy; lower
surface pale green, strongly pubescent; veins distinct; leaf not
lobed, with terminus acute; petiolar sinus medium to deep, narrow,
frequently closed and overlapping; basal sinus usually none;
lateral sinus shallow, often a mere notch; teeth shallow to medium,
rather narrow. Flowers fully self-fertile, open in mid-season;
stamens upright.
Fruit ripens after mid-season, keeps and ships well. Clusters large
to medium, broad to medium, irregularly cylindrical,
single-shouldered to frequently double-shouldered, loose to medium;
peduncle long, slender to medium; pedicel inclined to short, not
thick, covered with numerous conspicuous warts, distinctly enlarged
at point of attachment to fruit; brush very short, greenish.
Berries variable in size, roundish to oblate, dark green changing
to yellowish-amber, glossy, covered with thin gray bloom,
persistent, of medium firmness. Skin thin, tender, adheres
considerably to the pulp, contains no pigment, not astringent.
Flesh pale green, transparent, juicy and tender, somewhat stringy,
aromatic, sweet, ranks above Concord in quality. Seeds separate
fairly well from the pulp, one to four, average three, intermediate
in size and length, broad to medium, brown with yellowish tinge;
raphe obscure; chalaza intermediate in size, above center,
irregularly circular, obscure.
LENOIR.
(Bourquiniana.)
=1.= _Amer. Farmer_, =11=:237, 412. 1829-30. =2.= Downing,
=1845=:256. =3.= _U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt._, =1847=:469. =4.=
_Horticulturist_, =12=:460. 1857. =5.= _Ib._, =14=:487. 1859. =6.=
_U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt._, =1859=:35. =7.= _Gar. Mon._, =5=:74. 1863.
=8.= _Ib._, =5=:73. 1863. =9.= Fuller, =1867=:226. =10.= _U. S. D.
A. Rpt._, =1887=:652. =11.= =Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.=, =1889=:24. =12.=
_Bush. Cat._, =1894=:148. _fig._ =13.= Husmann, =1895=:83, 183.
=14.= Ib., =1895=:121, 122. =15.= _Tex. Farm and Ranch_, Feb. 8,
=1896=:10, 11. =16.= _Tex. Sta. Bul._, =48=:1150, 1159. 1898. =17.=
_U. S. D. A. Yr. Bk._, =1898=:557. =18.= _Kan. Sta. Bul._,
=110=:246. 1902. =19.= _Traité gen. de vit._, =6=:374. 1903.
_Alabama_ (19). _Archer?_ (8). _Black Souvignon_ (7) but incorr.
_Black El Paso_ (15). _Black July_ (7). _Black Lenoir_ (19). BLACK
SPANISH (14). _Black Spanish_ (8, 12, 15, 19). _Blue French_ (15,
19). _Blue Grape_ of the South (7). _Burgundy_ (12, 15, 19). _Cigar
Box Grape_ (19). _Clarence_ (?2, 7). _Devereaux_ of "Gardening for
the South" (4). _Devereaux_ (19). _Devereux_ (5, 7,?9). _Early
Black_ (4). EL PASO (6). _El Paso_ (12, 19). _Harris?_ (7, 9). JACK
(8). _Jack_ (12, 15, 19). _Jacques_ (12, 15, 16, 19). JACQUEZ (19).
_Jacquez_ (15). _Jac_ (19). _Jacquet_ (19). _July Sherry_ (4).
_Lenoir_ (14, 19). _Long?_ (9). _Longworth's Ohio_ (19).
_Louisville Seedling?_ (9). _MacCandless_ (19). _Ohio_ (8, 19).
_Ohio Cigar Box?_ (9). _Oldhouse?_ (7). _Pungo_ of N. C.? (7).
_Segar Box_ (8, 19). _Sherry of the South_ (7). _Springstein_ (7).
_St. Genevieve?_ (9). _Sumpter_ (?2, 4, 7). _Thurmond_ (4, 5,
7,?9). _Warren_ (8). _Wylie?_ (9).
Lenoir is a southern grape, too tender and too late in ripening for even
the Middle States. This variety has been largely used in France, both as
a resistant stock and as a direct producer, but for some years has been
losing favor for either purpose. It has also been grown more or less in
California as a resistant stock. It is highly valued for its dark red
wine, is considered a very good table grape, is very resistant to
phylloxera, and withstands drouths well.
The origin of Lenoir is unknown. It was in cultivation in the South as
long ago as the early part of the last century. Nicholas Herbemont[197]
states in 1829 that its name was given it from a man named Lenoir who
cultivated it near Stateburg, South Carolina, in the vicinity of the
Santee River. There are traditions of its being imported from Europe, of
its being found by Lenoir alongside a hedge, and so on, but none of them
seem in any way authoritative. All that can be said is that Lenoir
originated probably in one of the Carolinas or Georgia some time in the
Eighteenth Century. This variety was tried at an early day in the
northern and middle states, by Longworth at Cincinnati, by the Germans
in Missouri, and in other places. On account of its being only
semi-hardy and somewhat susceptible to rot, its cultivation was soon
abandoned. It was early introduced into Texas and cultivated in the
vicinity of El Paso, from which it derived one of its synonyms. It was
placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit
catalog in 1889 and is still retained. Lenoir differs from Herbemont,
with which it is often confused, in having wood of a darker color,
larger and darker leaves and slight differences in the fruit.
The following description is taken from various accounts of the variety:
Vine vigorous, thrifty, semi-hardy, usually quite productive. Canes
rather numerous with some bloom at the nodes; tendrils
intermittent. Leaves from two to seven-lobed, usually five, and of
a characteristic bluish-green color above and a more pale green
below. Clusters quite variable, medium to very large, tapering,
usually shouldered. Berries small to medium, round, of a dark
bluish-purple, nearly black, with lilac bloom. Skin rather thick,
tough. Flesh slightly juicy, tender, subacidly sweet, very rich in
coloring matter.
LINDLEY.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
=1.= _U. S. D. A. Rpt._, =1862=:215. =2.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._,
=1867=:44. =3.= _Horticulturist_, =24=:126, 312. 1869. =4.= _Mich.
Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1881=:221. =5.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1881=:40.
=6.= _Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1882=:75. =7.= _Bush. Cat._,
=1883=:117. _fig._ =8.= _Gar. and For._, =5=:547. 1892. =9.= _N. Y.
Sta. An. Rpt._, =9=:329. 1890. =10.= _Ill. Sta. Bul._, =28=:260.
1893. =11.= _Can. Hort._, =17=:254, 405. 1894. =12.= _Va. Sta.
Bul._, =94=:137. 1898. =13.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:532, 541,
543, 545, 546, 548, 552, 558. 1898. =14.= _Miss. Sta. Bul._,
=56=:15. 1899. =15.= _Mich. Sta. Bul._, =169=:172. 1899. =16.=
_Tex. Sta. Bul._, =56=:223, 271. 1900. =17.= _Can. Hort._, =26=:51,
96, 298, _fig._, 299. 1903.
ROGERS' NO. 9 (1, 2). _Rogers' No. 9_ (3, 7, 9, 11, 17).
To Lindley, less productive than several others of its class, but when
cross-fertilized usually bearing a crop of excellent grapes, is due much
of the popularity of Rogers' hybrids. By common consent it is the best
of the red grapes originated by Rogers in his crosses between Labrusca
and Vinifera. Unfortunately the color-plate does not do the variety
justice. Both berry and bunch should be shown a little larger, even for
average-sized specimens.
When well grown Lindley is a very handsome grape. The bunches are of
only medium size and are somewhat loose but the berries are well-formed,
of uniform size, and of an attractive dark red color. The flesh is firm,
fine-grained, juicy and tender without pulpiness and with a peculiarly
rich aromatic flavor. The skin is thick and rather tough but is not
objectionable in fully ripe fruit. The fruit keeps well and ships well
and the berries neither crack nor shatter. The vine is vigorous,
comparatively hardy for a Vinifera hybrid, fairly healthy, but as with
most of its kind, susceptible to mildew. The chief defects of Lindley
are its self-sterility and precariousness in bearing, and its lack of
adaptation to many soils. Lindley has long been a favorite grape in the
garden and should continue to be such, and might well be grown in
commercial plantations as a fancy product.
For an account of the origin and parentage of Lindley see "Rogers'
Hybrids." _Rogers' No. 9_, or Lindley, is first mentioned separately
from the others of Rogers' hybrids about 1862. In 1869 Rogers gave this
grape the name Lindley in honor of John Lindley, the English botanist.
The variety has been used by a number of breeders, Munson in particular,
as a parent for improved pure-bred or cross-bred offspring. Lindley was
placed on the American Pomological Society fruit catalog list in 1867
and has not been removed.
[Illustration: LINDLEY]
Vine vigorous to rank, usually hardy but sometimes injured in
exposed locations, not a heavy yielder, somewhat susceptible to
mildew, often subject to attacks of leaf-hoppers. Canes very long,
intermediate in number, of medium thickness, dark reddish-brown,
covered with thin blue bloom; nodes enlarged, usually flattened;
internodes medium to long, thick; pith of medium size; shoots
pubescent; tendrils continuous, medium to long, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds large, of average length, above medium in thickness,
obtuse to conical, open in mid-season. Young leaves heavily tinged
on upper and under sides with mahogany-red. Leaves medium to
large, thickish; upper surface light green, dull, slightly rugose;
lower surface grayish-white, pubescent; obscurely three-lobed with
terminus acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, often closed and
overlapping; teeth shallow, intermediate in width. Flowers sterile,
open in mid-season; stamens reflexed.
Fruit ripens in mid-season, keeps and ships well. Clusters medium
in size, long, inclined to broad, tapering to nearly cylindrical,
frequently single-shouldered, the shoulder being connected to the
bunch by a rather long stem, somewhat loose; peduncle medium to
long, thick; pedicel short to medium, slender, nearly smooth,
strongly enlarged at point of attachment to fruit; brush short,
stubby, pale green. Berries large to medium, roundish to slightly
oval, dark brick-red, covered with lilac or faint blue bloom, do
not usually drop from the pedicel, of average firmness. Skin
variable in thickness, tough, adheres considerably to the pulp,
contains no pigment, strongly astringent. Flesh very pale green,
translucent, juicy, fine-grained, nearly tender, vinous, sweet at
skin to tart at center, good to best in quality. Seeds do not
separate easily from the pulp unless fully ripe, two to five,
average three, intermediate in size and length, distinctly notched,
brownish; raphe buried in a deep, broad groove; chalaza small,
nearly central, oval to pear-shaped. Must 80°.
LOUISIANA.
(Bourquiniana.)
=1.= Husmann, =1866=:110. =2.= _Am. Jour. Hort._, =3=:301. 1868.
=3.= _Grape Cult._, =1=:22, 42, 100, 244, 326. 1869. =4.= _Bush.
Cat._, =1883=:118. =5.= Husmann, =1895=:183. =6.= _Texas Farm and
Ranch_, Feb. 8, =1896=:10, 11. =7.= _Ga. Sta. Bul._, =53=:46. 1901.
_Amoreaux_ (6). _Burgunder_ (1). _Clevener?_ (6). _Red Elben_ (6).
_Rulander_ (6). _St. Genevieve_ (6). (N. B. Reference number 6 is
to a red grape. Louisiana is black.)
The grape here discussed is of cultural value in the South and is of
interest from the standpoint of grape-breeding and, historically, to
northern grape-growers. Louisiana first came to notice in Missouri. It
was received about 1860 or before by Frederick Muench of Marthasville,
Warren County, Missouri, from a Mr. Theard of New Orleans, Louisiana,
under the name White and Red Burgundy. Both supposed varieties proved to
be alike. Theard informed Muench that the varieties had been imported
from France about the first of the century by his (Theard's) father.
There has been much difference of opinion as to whether this imputed
origin is correct or not. Munson classes it with the Devereaux section
of the Bourquiniana. It is undoubtedly closely related to Herbemont,
Lenoir, and others of that class.
The variety has been much confused with Rulander and some are of the
opinion that the two varieties are identical. Those who cultivated it
earliest and most extensively were, however, of the opinion that they
were very similar but distinct. The vine is too tender in the North for
cultivation and there are complaints from some sections in the South of
the fruit rotting badly.
The following description is taken from various sources:
Vine very vigorous, stocky, short-jointed; leaves cordate, not
lobed. Cluster medium to small, shouldered, compact. Berry small,
round, black with blue bloom, without pulp, juicy, spicy, sweet.
LUCILE.
(Labrusca.)
=1.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =18=:395. 1899. =2.= _Rural N. Y._,
=60=:167. 1901. =3.= _Ga. Sta. Bul._, =53=:46. 1901. =4.=
Budd-Hansen, =2=:384. 1902.
Lucile is of interest and of value because of its truly remarkable vine
characters. In vigor, health, hardiness and productiveness it is not
surpassed by any of the cultivated native grapes. It is probably a
seedling of Wyoming but the vine is much more vigorous than even that
variety, which is considered a very strong grower. Yet with all of its
great growth Lucile ripens its wood almost perfectly. It is very
productive, as much so as any other of our native grapes, often bearing
four bunches to the shoot, its crops exceeding those of Concord. It has
never been known to winterkill in the grape regions of New York and is
probably as hardy as any other of our Labruscas. Its fruit and foliage
are very nearly immune to the fungal diseases of the grape.
Unfortunately the fruit characters of Lucile are not as desirable as the
vine characters. The size, form, and color of bunches and berries are
all good, making a very attractive fruit, but it has an obnoxious, foxy
taste and odor objectionable to those who know good grapes though even
in flavor it is better than its supposed parent and is on a par with
some of the other varieties of its season. A further objection to the
berries is that they are both pulpy and seedy. It is earlier than
Concord, coming about with Worden or preceding it a few days. For so
early a variety the fruit keeps very well and in spite of its somewhat
thin skin ships very well. It is not at all capricious as to soils,
seemingly thriving in all good grape soils.
[Illustration: LUCILE]
Lucile may be recommended where an extra hardy grape is desired, for
localities where the season is short, and as a variety for breeding
purposes, should it prove capable of transmitting its vine characters,
and for those who do not object to foxiness of taste and aroma in
grapes.
J. A. Putnam of Fredonia, Chautauqua County, New York, is the producer
of Lucile. The vine fruited for the first time in 1890, it being then
two years old, and was introduced by Lewis Roesch of Fredonia in 1899.
It is supposed to be a seedling of Wyoming which it resembles very much
in both fruit and vine characters and surpasses in both. It is a typical
red Labrusca in all of its characters.
Vine vigorous, hardy, very productive, yielding as good or better
crops than Concord. Canes medium to long, rather numerous,
intermediate in thickness, light brown; nodes strongly enlarged,
usually flattened; internodes medium to short; diaphragm moderately
thick; pith about medium in size; shoots slightly pubescent;
tendrils continuous, of average length, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds below medium to small, short, moderately thick, pointed
to conical, open in mid-season. Young leaves heavily tinged on
lower side and along margin of upper side with bright carmine.
Leaves healthy, medium to large, of average thickness, firm; upper
surface light green, glossy, moderately smooth; lower surface pale
green or with tinge of bronze, pubescent; veins distinct; leaf
usually not lobed, with terminus acute; petiolar sinus shallow,
narrow to medium, sometimes closed and overlapping; basal sinus
usually absent; lateral sinus a mere notch when present; teeth very
shallow, of average width. Flowers fertile, open early; stamens
upright.
Fruit ripens earlier than Concord or in some seasons about with
Worden, keeps fairly well. Clusters medium to large, above average
length, slender, cylindrical to tapering, usually
single-shouldered, very compact; peduncle intermediate in length,
large; pedicel short, thick, covered with few, small, inconspicuous
warts; brush light brown. Berries large to medium, roundish to
somewhat oval when strongly compacted, dark red, duller than
Wyoming, covered with thin lilac bloom, persistent, firm. Skin
medium to thin, somewhat tender, contains a small amount of light
red pigment and some astringency. Flesh pale green, translucent,
juicy, rather tough, sometimes stringy, foxy, sweet next the skin
to slightly tart at center, fair to good in quality, not equal to
Concord but superior to Wyoming. Seeds separate with difficulty
from the pulp, one to four, average three, small, broad, short to
medium, blunt, dark brown; raphe obscure; chalaza intermediate in
size, slightly above center, oval, distinct.
LUTIE.
(Labrusca.)
=1.= _Gar. Mon._, =26=:307. 1884. =2.= _Ib._, =27=:304. 1885. =3.=
_Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1885=:85. =4.= _Ib._, =1889=:120, 136. =5.=
_N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =13=:605. 1894. =6.= _Bush. Cat._,
=1894=:150. =7.= _Tenn. Sta. Bul._, Vol. =9=:192. 1896. =8.= _N. Y.
Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:532, 545, 547, 555. 1898. =9.= _Mich. Sta.
Bul._, =169=:172. 1899. =10.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._, =1899=:29.
=11.= _Kan. Sta. Bul._, =110=:236. 1902.
As with the preceding variety, Lutie is chiefly valuable for its vine
characters. It is vigorous, hardy, healthy, and fruitful, though
scarcely equaling Lucile in any of these characters. Pomologists differ
widely as to the merits of the fruit, some claiming high qualities for
it and others declaring that it is no better than the average wild
Labrusca. The difference in opinion is partly due to a peculiarity of
the fruit. If eaten fresh from the vines, the quality, while far from
being of the best, is not wholly bad, but after being picked for several
days it develops so much foxiness of flavor and aroma that it is
scarcely edible. As Lutie grows on the Station grounds its fruit has
little merit, though somewhat attractive in appearance, and the variety
can be recommended only for vigor, hardiness, resistance to disease and
fruitfulness. It is given the prominence of an illustration in _The
Grapes of New York_ out of respect for the opinions of others rather
than for its merits as it grows here. It makes a better showing in other
grape regions.
Lutie is a chance seedling found on the grounds of Dr. L. C. Chisholm of
Spring Hill, near Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. It was
introduced in 1885 by Messrs. Coleman, Webber and Newson of Nashville.
Lutie was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society
fruit catalog in 1899 where it has since been retained. Its gross
characters are much the same as those of Dracut Amber, Lucile, Wyoming,
and Woodruff, all typical red Labruscas and worthy of cultivation only
where better-flavored varieties cannot be grown.
Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes short, of average
number, slender, dark reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, roundish;
internodes short; diaphragm thin; pith inclined to small; shoots
pubescent; tendrils continuous, short to medium, bifid.
[Illustration: LUTIE]
Leaf-buds small, short to medium, slender, open in mid-season.
Young leaves tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side
with bright carmine. Leaves medium to small, of average thickness;
upper surface dark green, often rugose; lower surface bronze to
whitish-green, pubescent; veins somewhat distinct; leaf usually not
lobed, with terminus acute to acuminate; petiolar sinus moderately
deep, medium to sometimes wide; basal sinus lacking; lateral sinus
rather shallow and narrow when present; teeth shallow, narrow.
Flowers fertile, open somewhat early; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens earlier than Concord, some seasons about with Worden,
does not keep nor ship well. Clusters medium to small, short and
broad, blunt at end, cylindrical to sometimes conical, usually not
shouldered, compact; peduncle intermediate in length, rather thick;
pedicel short, of average thickness, covered with small,
scattering, inconspicuous warts; brush slender, of average length,
pale green. Berries large to below medium, roundish, light to dark
red, dull, covered with thin, whitish or lilac bloom, drop badly
from pedicel, nearly firm. Skin intermediate in thickness somewhat
tender, adheres to the pulp, contains no pigment, astringent. Flesh
pale green, translucent, moderately juicy, somewhat tough, strongly
foxy, sweet next the skin to slightly tart at center, fair to
possibly good in quality. Seeds adhere to the pulp unless the fruit
is fully ripe, one to four, average two, usually above medium size,
broad, often rather short and blunt, dark brown; raphe buried in a
small, rather indistinct groove; chalaza large, at center or
slightly above, irregularly circular, rather distinct.
McPIKE.
(Labrusca.)
=1.= _Rural N. Y._, =55=:622, _fig._, 627. 1896. =2.= _Am. Pom.
Soc. Rpt._, =1897=:13. =3.= _Nat. Nurs._, =7=:119. 1899. =4.=
_Ib._, =8=:93. 1900. =5.= _Rural N. Y._, =60=:170, 226, 290, 614,
710. 1901.
McPike is noteworthy chiefly because of the large size of the berries,
though the bunches, too, average large. The accompanying illustration
shows the size of the berry accurately but the bunch, as shown here, is
too small.[198]
McPike in vine and fruit characters is very similar to its parent,
Worden, differing in having fewer but larger berries per bunch, grapes
not as high in flavor, and fewer and smaller seeds. Because of a thin,
tender skin the berries crack somewhat, shell more or less, and the
vines are less productive than those of Worden. The faults just named
seem to debar it pretty effectually from becoming a commercial grape in
New York and it is not high enough in quality and is lacking in too many
other fruit characters to make it of value for the amateur. It should
be said, however, that the variety has not been largely tested in New
York and further experience with it is needed to fully determine its
value in this State.
This variety was originated by H. G. McPike of Mount Lookout Park,
Alton, Illinois, from seed of Worden planted in 1890. It was introduced
in 1897 by Silas Wilson of Atlantic, Iowa. McPike is a typical black
descendant of Concord, bearing a strong resemblance in its gross
characters to Eaton, Hosford, Chautauqua, King, and its parent, Worden.
Vine vigorous to medium, hardy, productive to very productive.
Canes intermediate in length, number and thickness, dull dark
reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes very short;
diaphragm thick to medium; pith large; shoots thinly pubescent;
tendrils continuous, of average length, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds about average size, short, thick to medium, obtuse to
conical, compressed. Leaves large, thick; upper surface light
green, dull, medium to slightly rugose; lower surface grayish-white
to bronze, heavily pubescent; veins fairly distinct; leaf not
lobed, with terminus acute to obtuse; petiolar sinus deep to
medium, rather wide; basal and lateral sinuses lacking; teeth
intermediate in depth and width. Flowers fertile or nearly so.
Fruit ripens about with Concord or earlier, appears to keep well.
Clusters variable in size, medium to short, rather broad,
irregularly tapering with slight tendency to cylindrical, often
blunt at ends, usually not shouldered, two to three bunches per
shoot, of average compactness; peduncle medium to above in length,
thick; pedicel long to medium, thick, quite brittle, nearly smooth;
brush long, slender, greenish with brown tinge. Berries unusually
large, roundish, purplish-black to black, covered with blue bloom,
firm. Skin of medium thickness, variable in toughness, sometimes
cracks, adheres considerably to the pulp, contains a large amount
of purplish-red pigment, astringent. Flesh pale green, translucent,
very juicy, rather tender, stringy, vinous, nearly sweet at skin to
rather acid at center, fair to good in quality. Seeds moderately
adherent to the pulp, one to four, average two, medium to below in
size, short, broad, blunt, rather plump, light brown; raphe buried
in a wide, shallow groove; chalaza rather large, at center or
slightly above, somewhat obscure.
MAGNATE.
(Labrusca, Vinifera?)
=1.= _Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1891=:130. =2.= _Ib._, =1892=:270.
=3.= _Bush. Cat._, =1894=:151. =4.= _Va. Sta. Bul._, =94=:141.
1898. =5.= _Ga. Sta. Bul._, =53=:46. 1901.
[Illustration: McPIKE]
Magnate is a green seedling of Concord and, like several others of
Concord's light-colored offspring, as Lady and Martha, it is better in
quality than the parent though the flesh characters are not as good.
It does not compare favorably with the best green grapes of its season,
either in appearance or quality and is not recommended for New York.
The variety was originated by either John Burr, or Dr. Stayman of
Leavenworth, Kansas, from seed of Concord. It was introduced by Stayman
& Black in 1891 but has not been widely grown. It is better known in the
West than in the East.
Vine medium to vigorous, hardy except in severe winters, medium to
productive. Canes intermediate in length, number and size; tendrils
continuous, bifid to trifid. Leaves not always healthy, large to
medium, variable in color; lower surface grayish-white, pubescent.
Flowers nearly fertile, open in mid-season or earlier; stamens
upright. Fruit ripens about with Concord, keeps well. Clusters
medium to large, sometimes rather broad, occasionally with a
medium-sized single shoulder, usually compact and with many
abortive fruits. Berries variable in size, roundish, pale green
with trace of yellow, covered with a medium amount of gray bloom,
persistent. Flesh pale green, slightly tough, vinous, somewhat
musky, nearly sweet at skin to acid at center, fair to good in
quality. Seeds below medium to small, short, broad, plump.
MANITO.
(Labrusca, Vinifera, Bourquiniana, Lincecumii, Rupestris.)
=1.= _Tex. Sta. Bul._, =56=:279. 1900. =2.= _Ga. Sta. Bul._,
=53=:46. 1901. =3.= _Rural N. Y._, =60=:614. 1901. =4.= _Ib._,
=62=:790. 1903. =5.= _Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1904=:305. =6.= _Can.
Cen. Exp. Farms Rpt._, =1905=:107.
Manito is one of Munson's grapes recommended for both the North and the
South. It is remarkable in having for its immediate ancestors five
species, Lincecumii, Rupestris, Labrusca, Vinifera, and Bourquiniana. As
Manito grows at this Station, its vine characters are all good and the
fruit is passably so. According to the originator, the variety endures
extremes of climate very well and has stood the cold of the New York
winter and the heat of summer without any perceptible injury. The fruit
is not sufficiently handsome nor of high enough quality to recommend the
variety highly for this State, but it keeps well, ships well, is said to
make good wine, and is worthy a trial in experimental vineyards at
least. A point of merit is earliness, as it ripens just before Moore
Early.
The variety was produced from seed of America pollinated by Brilliant.
The seed of Manito was planted in 1895 and the variety was introduced by
the originator in 1899.
Vine medium to vigorous, hardy, medium to productive. Canes long,
rather numerous and thick, dark reddish-brown, surface covered with
blue bloom, nodes enlarged, often flattened; internodes
intermediate in length; diaphragm thick; pith large to medium;
shoots thinly pubescent; tendrils medium to above in length, bifid
to trifid.
Leaf-buds large, of average length, thickish, conical to obtuse,
open very late. Young leaves tinged on under side and along margin
of upper side with rose-carmine. Leaves medium to below, of average
thickness; upper surface dark green, glossy, smooth to medium;
lower surface duller than upper surface, thinly pubescent; veins
moderately distinct; lobes usually three in number, with terminal
lobe variable; petiolar sinus medium to deep, inclined to narrow;
basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus shallow, narrow, often a
mere notch; teeth of average depth, wide. Flowers semi-fertile,
open in mid-season or later; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens about with Moore Early, keeps and ships well. Clusters
large to below medium, often quite long, slender to medium,
cylindrical, sometimes with enlarged end, usually not shouldered,
loose; peduncle intermediate in length, slender; pedicel short,
slender, nearly smooth; brush light green with faint reddish tinge.
Berries intermediate in size, roundish to slightly oval, dull
purplish-black, covered with a medium amount of blue bloom,
persistent, moderately firm. Skin thin, tender, adheres
considerably to the pulp, contains a large amount of wine-colored
pigment, slightly astringent. Flesh pale green, with slight pink
tinge, translucent, moderately juicy, tender and almost melting,
not very aromatic, sweet next the skin to agreeably tart at center,
good in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, one to four,
average two, surface often rough and warty, intermediate in size,
length and breadth, darkish brown; raphe obscure; chalaza of fair
size, oval to rather pear-shaped, often indistinct.
MARIE LOUISE.
(Labrusca, Vinifera?)
=1.= _U. S. D. A. Rpt._, =1887=:634. =2.= _Bush. Cat._, =1894=:151.
=3.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =15=:295. 1896. =4.= _Ib._, =17=:532,
548, 555. 1898. =5.= _Va. Sta. Bul._, =94=:141. 1898. =6.= _Ga.
Sta. Bul._, =53=:46. 1901.
The parentage of Marie Louise is unknown but it seems to be a typical
green seedling of Concord and, as tested at this Station, is of no
especial merit. It is surpassed by Diamond, Lady, Martha, and nearly a
score of other green grapes.
The vine characters here are not satisfactory. It is only moderately
productive and for some years has been affected with chlorosis.
[Illustration: MANITO]
Marie Louise was originated by Theophile Huber of Illinois City,
Illinois, about 1880. Besides the characters of the variety, the work of
the originator would indicate that it is a Concord seedling. There are
no records of its ever having been widely disseminated.
Vine intermediate in vigor, not hardy nor productive. Canes short,
not numerous, dark brown; tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves small
to medium, intermediate in thickness and smoothness; lower surface
tinged with bronze, heavily pubescent. Flowers nearly fertile, open
in mid-season; stamens upright. Fruit ripens about with Worden,
does not keep well. Clusters small to medium, short, slender,
cylindrical, usually with a small single shoulder, rather loose.
Berries small to medium, roundish to oval, pale green with tinge of
yellow, covered with thin gray bloom, shatter badly, not very firm.
Skin thin, of medium toughness. Flesh pale green, tender,
sprightly, somewhat vinous, sweet at skin to tart at center, good
to very good in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, not
numerous, small, short and broad, plump.
(I) MARION.
(Riparia, Labrusca.)
=1.= _Horticulturist_, =13=:13. 1858. =2.= _Mag. Hort._, =26=:100.
1860. =3.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1860=:83. =4.= Fuller,
=1867=:244. =5.= _Bush. Cat._, =1883=:120. =6.= _Kan. Sta. Bul._,
=14=:89. 1890. =7.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =10=:497. 1891. =8.=
_Ill. Sta. Bul._, =28=:255. 1893. =9.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._,
=17=:532, 545, 546, 548, 555, 559. 1898.
_Black German_ (2). MARION PORT (2, 4).
Marion is an old variety of unknown parentage but so closely resembling
Clinton in both botanical and horticultural characters as to be clearly
of the type of that variety. In many grape regions it is held that this
variety surpasses Clinton as both a table and a wine grape. The growth
of Marion is vigorous, the vine is hardy but hardly sufficiently
productive, and is susceptible to mildew and to leaf-hoppers. The fruit
is pleasantly sweet and spicy though not of high enough quality for a
table grape, but making, according to the following, from a French
authority, a very good dark red wine.[199]
"With regard to intense coloring, without any foxy taste, nothing equals
the wine made of the Marion grape; one-twentieth part is sufficient to
give to water even a superior wine color; the somewhat violet shade is
easily transformed into a lively red by adding some acid wine or a very
small quantity of tartaric acid."
The fruit colors early in the season but ripens very late, hanging well
on the vines and improving with a light touch of frost. Marion is not
much grown in New York as a wine grape, though it might prove of value
because of its coloring properties for the making of some wines.
This variety was brought to notice by a Mr. Shepherd of Marion, Ohio,
over fifty years ago. It was first known as Black German but this name
was changed to Marion Port. At about the same time, Nicholas Longworth
received a variety resembling the Isabella from Marion, Ohio, probably
also from Shepherd, which he disseminated under the name Marion. Owing
to the similarity of the names, the two varieties became badly confused.
The true Marion, which many believed to be identical with York Madeira,
was soon dropped from cultivation and the Marion Port assumed the name
of Marion. Shepherd did not know where the Marion Port had originated
but stated that it had come originally from Pennsylvania. It is quite
possible that it is some old variety reintroduced under this name. The
species of the variety is usually given as Riparia but as the tendrils
are often continuous, there is evidently an admixture of Labrusca blood.
Vine vigorous, usually hardy, medium to productive, susceptible to
injury from leaf-hoppers. Canes very long, intermediate in number
and thickness, dark reddish-brown, surface covered with blue bloom;
nodes slightly enlarged, flattened; internodes very long to medium;
diaphragm thin; pith of average size; shoots glabrous, younger
shoots tinged with reddish-purple; tendrils continuous, sometimes
intermittent, long, bifid.
Leaf-buds nearly medium in size and thickness, short, conical,
often strongly compressed, open early; young leaves tinged on under
side and along margin of upper side with carmine. Leaves unusually
large, of average thickness; upper surface dark green, glossy;
lower surface pale green, somewhat cobwebby to nearly smooth; veins
well defined; leaf not lobed with terminus acuminate; petiolar
sinus very deep, narrow, often closed and overlapping; basal and
lateral sinuses lacking; teeth shallow, rather wide. Flowers
sterile, open very early; stamens reflexed.
[Illustration: MARION]
Fruit ripens in mid-season, keeps fairly well. Clusters medium to
below, short and slender, cylindrical to tapering,
single-shouldered, compact; peduncle short, intermediate in
thickness; pedicel short, slender, covered with few, inconspicuous
warts; brush very short, wine-colored. Berries medium to small,
roundish, black, slightly glossy, covered with abundant blue bloom,
persistent, firm. Skin medium to thin, rather tough, adheres
slightly to the pulp, contains much dark wine-colored pigment,
slightly astringent. Flesh dark green, translucent, juicy,
fine-grained, tough, sprightly, spicy, agreeably tart but free from
astringency, no more than fair in quality. Seeds adhere somewhat to
the pulp, one to five, average four, above medium in size, broad,
short, usually not notched, very plump, brownish; raphe buried in a
narrow, shallow groove; chalaza small, nearly central, oval,
obscure.
(II) MARION.
(Labrusca, Vinifera?)
=1.= _U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt._, =1856=:433. =2.= Downing, =1857=:341.
=3.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1860=:83. =4.= _Mag. Hort._, =26=:100.
1860. =5.= (?) _Gar. Mon._, =3=:52. 1861. =6.= Fuller, =1867=:244.
=7.= _Rural N. Y._, =53=:793. 1894.
GERMAN GRAPE (7).
This variety much resembles Isabella and was said by some to be
identical with it. It is probably the same as York Maderia. Downing[200]
discusses it as follows:
"Origin unknown. Sent to Mr. Longworth from Marion, Ohio, and by him
disseminated. It much resembles the Isabella in shape and size of berry
and form of bunch, but more uniform in its ripening and more delicate in
flavor, ripening about the same time. Growth healthy, making firm and
short-jointed wood, with strong, red tendrils; a good bearer.
"Bunches large, regular, seldom shouldered. Berries large, round,
inclining to oval, dark purple with a bloom, juice abundant, pulp thin,
not sufficiently tested for wine, a promising variety."
MARTHA.
(Labrusca, Vinifera?)
=1.= _Mag. Hort._, =30=:26. 1864. =2.= _U. S. D. A. Rpt._,
=1865=:196. =3.= Fuller, =1867=:227. =4.= _Mag. Hort._, =34=:236.
1868. =5.= _Grape Cult._, =1=:10, 14, 15, 42, 129, _fig._, 130.
1869. =6.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._, =1869=:42. =7.= _Bush. Cat._,
=1883=:119. _fig._ =8.= _Kan. Sta. Bul._, =14=:89. 1890. =9.= _Ill.
Sta. Bul._, =28=:265. 1893. =10.= _Mo. Sta. Bul._, =46=:40, 42, 44,
46. 1899. =11.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =18=:396. 1899.
_Miller No. 1_ (2, 5).
Martha was at one time the most popular of the green grapes but the
introduction of many other green varieties of superior fruit and vine
characters has gradually reduced its popularity until it is now but
little grown. It is a seedling of Concord and resembles its parent
greatly, differing from it chiefly in the following particulars: Fruit
green, a week or more earlier, bunch and berries smaller, quality far
better, being sweeter, more delicate, and with less foxiness and less
pulp. About the only difference in the vines is a lighter shade of green
in Martha and less robustness, with blossoms opening a few days earlier
than Concord. Martha is often sold in the markets as Niagara, though the
resemblance between the two is not strong, the Niagara being larger in
bunch and berry and not as high in quality. One of the defects of
Martha, and the chief cause of its going out of favor, is that it does
not keep nor ship well. A very good white wine is made from Martha. The
variety is still being planted in some parts of the South, but is
generally abandoned in the North.
Samuel Miller, then of Calmdale, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, grew
Martha from seed of Concord sent him by E. W. Bull. The variety was
introduced about 1868 by J. Knox of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. It was
placed on the American Pomological Society fruit catalog list in 1869
and dropped from that list in 1899.
Vine variable in vigor, hardy, intermediate in productiveness,
somewhat susceptible to attacks of mildew in unfavorable seasons.
Canes medium to long, of average number and size, rather dark
reddish-brown, surface covered with thin bloom, slightly roughened;
tendrils continuous to intermittent, bifid. Leaves large to medium,
rather thick; upper surface light green, intermediate in
smoothness; lower surface light bronze, heavily pubescent; veins
well defined. Flowers self-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens
upright.
Fruit ripens somewhat earlier than Concord, does not keep nor ship
well. Clusters medium in size, often below average length,
intermediate in width, tapering to cylindrical, usually
single-shouldered, inclined to be loose. Berries medium in size,
roundish, light green with tinge of yellow, covered with thin gray
bloom, persistent, medium in firmness. Skin thin, very tender, does
not usually crack, adheres considerably to the pulp, contains no
pigment, with scarcely any astringency. Flesh pale yellowish-green,
juicy, moderately tough, fine-grained, slightly foxy, sweet at skin
to somewhat tart at center, mild, good to very good in quality but
not as good as Lady. Seeds few in number, rather adherent,
intermediate in size and length, broad, rather blunt, dark brown;
raphe obscure; chalaza small, slightly above center, oval,
frequently shows as a mere depression. Must 85°-90°.
[Illustration: MASSASOIT]
MASSASOIT.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
=1.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1862=:148, 152. =2.= _Horticulturist_,
=18=:99. 1863. =3.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._, =1867=:44. =4.=
_Horticulturist_, =24=:126. 1869. =5.= _Grape Cult._, =1=:180, 326.
1869. =6.= _Ind. Sta. Bul._, =33=:34. 1890. =7.= _Gar. and For._,
=3=:214, 255, 490. 1890. =8.= _Kan. Sta. Bul._, =28=:164. 1891.
=9.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =10=:497. 1891. =10.= _Bush. Cat._,
=1894=:154. =11.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:533, 548, 555. 1898.
ROGERS' NO. 3 (1, 2, 3). _Rogers' No. 3_ (4, 5, 6, 10).
Massasoit is distinguished as being the earliest of Rogers' hybrids
though it is not, as some viticulturists say, as early as Hartford,
ripening rather with Delaware or a little later. It has the peculiarity
or defect of being at its best before full maturity, and of developing
after ripening a degree of foxiness which impairs its quality. In shape
and size of berry, and sometimes in bunch, there is a striking
resemblance to Isabella, another suggestion of Vinifera in the latter
sort, but the color is that of Catawba. The texture of the fruit is
especially good, firm but tender and juicy, while the flavor, as with
all of Rogers' grapes, is rich and sweet, though in the case of
Massasoit, hardly as good as others of these hybrids. The vine is
vigorous, hardy and productive but very subject to mildew and rot.
Massasoit is well worth a place in the home vineyard, and as an early
grape, of fine quality for the local market.
For an account of the early history and parentage of Massasoit the
reader is referred to Rogers' Hybrids. The variety attracted
considerable attention even while it was known only as _Rogers' No. 3_
and was placed on the American Pomological Society's list of recommended
sorts as early as 1867. In 1869 it was named by Rogers after Massasoit,
the Indian chief who was so intimately connected with the early history
of Massachusetts.
Vine vigorous to very vigorous, hardy in all but unusually cold
winters, often very productive, very subject to rot and mildew.
Canes long, intermediate in number, thick, inclined to dark brown
with slight reddish tinge; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes
long to medium; diaphragm of average thickness; pith large; shoots
thinly pubescent; tendrils continuous, long, trifid to bifid.
Leaf-buds large to medium, long, unusually thick, obtuse to
conical, heavily coated with brownish pubescence. Young leaves
tinged on upper and under sides with rose-carmine. Leaves variable
in size, medium to thin, upper surface light green, dull, smooth
to medium; lower surface pale green, slightly pubescent; veins well
defined; lobes three to sometimes obscurely five with terminus
acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow to medium; basal sinus shallow,
narrow, often obscure; teeth very shallow, of average width.
Flowers sterile, open moderately late; stamens reflexed.
Fruit ripens about with Delaware, keeps well. Clusters variable in
size, of medium length, often rather broad, cylindrical to
tapering, frequently single-shouldered, variable in compactness;
peduncle short to medium, thick; pedicel of average length, slender
to medium, covered with few, indistinct warts, enlarged at point of
attachment to fruit; brush of fair length, pale green. Berries
large to medium, roundish to oval, dark brownish-red, dull, covered
with lilac bloom, very persistent, moderately firm. Skin thin,
tender, adheres considerably to the pulp, contains no pigment,
astringent. Flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained,
somewhat soft, stringy, foxy, sweet next the skin but acid at
center, good to very good in quality, somewhat resembling Salem.
Seeds slightly adherent, one to five, average three, large to
medium, somewhat broad, distinctly notched, above medium in length,
plump, blunt; raphe buried in a deep, broad groove; chalaza small,
slightly above center, circular to nearly oval, often showing only
as a depression.
MAXATAWNEY.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
=1.= _Horticulturist_, =15=:134, 191, 538. 1860. =2.= _Gar. Mon._,
=3=:341. 1861. _col. pl._ =3.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1862=:135,
152. =4.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._, =1862=:90. =5.= _Grape Cult._,
=1=:10, 42, 141, 149, 296, 368. 1869. =6.= _Ib._, =2=:76, 85,
_fig._, 86, 297. 1870. =7.= _Bush Cat._, =1883=:120, 121. _fig._
=8.= _Ala. Sta. Bul._, =10=:11. 1890. =9.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._,
=11=:630. 1892. =10.= _Tenn. Sta. Bul._, Vol. =9=:184. 1896. =11.=
_N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:533, 548, 556. 1898.
At one time very popular, grape-growers now seldom hear of Maxatawney.
At best it is not a northern grape, ripening its fruit in New York only
occasionally, and is much subject to fungal diseases. It is an
interesting variety historically as being one of the first good green
grapes and as showing almost unmistakable Vinifera characters, probably
another example of the fortuitous hybridization which gave us so many
valuable varieties before artificial hybridization of Vinifera with
native grapes had been tried.
In 1843, a man living in Eagleville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,
received several bunches of grapes from a friend in Maxatawney, Berks
County, Pennsylvania. The seeds of these grapes were planted and the
following spring one seed grew. This was the original vine of what was
later named Maxatawney. It attracted no more than local attention until
about 1860 when, through the efforts of Peter Crans of Philadelphia, it
received several favorable notices in the horticultural press and
cuttings were disseminated for testing. The man who had originated the
variety, for fear of being besieged by amateur grape cultivators, never
allowed his name to become known. Maxatawney was placed on the American
Pomological Society list of sorts recommended for cultivation in 1862,
but was dropped in 1897. From the first it has been recognized that
Maxatawney shows Vinifera blood. Some have even gone so far as to say
that it is a derivative, in part, from Malaga. It does not appear,
however, that such preciseness is justified. The vine shows the
continuous tendrils and the thick, pubescent leaf of Labrusca. In the
lobing of the leaves, the susceptibility to mildew, the oval berries,
the vinous flavor, and the appearance of occasional seeds, one can
detect the characters of Vinifera.
Vine medium to vigorous, not always hardy, variable in
productiveness. Canes medium to above in length, of average number,
slender to medium; tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves medium to
large, dark green, thick; lower surface grayish-white with tinge of
bronze, heavily pubescent. Flowers sterile or nearly so, some
blossoms imperfectly self-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens
upright. Fruit ripens after Concord, in some seasons fully as late
as Catawba, keeps fairly well. Clusters small to above medium,
often short and slender, cylindrical, occasionally with a small
single shoulder, rather open to fairly compact. Berries variable in
size, oval, not uniform in color, pale red or dull greenish with
amber tinge, covered with thin gray bloom, persistent. Skin medium
in thickness, often very tough, astringent. Flesh slightly tender,
foxy, sweet at skin to tart at center, good to very good in
quality. Seeds few, separate easily from the pulp, large, of medium
length, very broad, blunt. Must 76°.
MERRIMAC.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
=1.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1860=:86. =2.= _Gar. Mon._, =6=:23,
140, 276, 277. _fig._ 1864. =3.= _Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt._,
=1865=:40. =4.= _N. Y. Ag. Soc. Rpt._, =1865=:339. _fig._ =5.= _Am.
Pom. Soc. Cat._, =1867=:44. =6.= Fuller, =1867=:229, 230. =7.=
_Horticulturist_, =24=:126. 1869. =8.= _Am. Jour. Hort._, =5=:263.
1869. =9.= _Grape Cult._, =1=:181, 239, 327. 1869. =10.= _Mich.
Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1875=:397. _fig._ =11.= _Bush. Cat._, =1883=:121.
=12.= _Mich. Sta. Bul._, =7=:133. 1885. =13.= _Ark. Sta. Bul._,
=39=:32. 1896. =14.= _Tenn. Sta. Bul._, Vol. =9=:184. 1896. =15.=
_Tex. Sta. Bul._, =48=:1150, 1159. 1898. =16.= _N. Y. Sta. An.
Rpt._, =17=:533. 541, 544, 548, 556. 1898.
ROGERS' NO. 19 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). _Rogers' No. 19_ (7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 13).
Merrimac is accredited by some grape-growers as the best black grape
among Rogers' hybrids, but an analysis of the characters of the several
black varieties produced by Rogers seems to show that it is surpassed at
least by Wilder and Herbert and possibly by Barry. The attributes of
Merrimac are so nearly those given for the several others of these
grapes hitherto described, that there need be no general discussion of
it here other than to state its chief points of difference. It is
stronger in growth, slightly more productive, possibly hardier, and more
exempt from fungal diseases than the average of Rogers' hybrids. Its
season is about that of Concord, a little earlier than that of most of
its kindred hybrids. It is not as high in quality, and its flesh, skin
and seed characters are such that it is not as pleasant to eat as the
black varieties named above. Merrimac is worthy a place in collections
and in the gardens for the sake of variety.
For a full account of the parentage and details of the origin of the
variety see "Rogers' Hybrids." Merrimac was first known as No. 19, and
was considered by those to whom Rogers sent his grapes of peculiar
excellence, and was granted a premium by the Essex Agricultural Society
in 1859. In 1867, Merrimac, with five others of Rogers' numbered
varieties, was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological
Society fruit catalog, where it is still retained. In 1869, Rogers gave
this variety the name Merrimac after the historic New England river.
Vine vigorous, usually hardy but subject to injury in severe
seasons, moderately productive to productive. Canes intermediate in
length and number, medium to slender, dark brown, surface slightly
roughened; nodes somewhat enlarged, usually flattened; internodes
medium to short; diaphragm thick; pith of average thickness; shoots
nearly glabrous; tendrils intermittent, short, bifid.
Leaf-buds intermediate in size, short to medium, thick, obtuse to
conical, open in mid-season. Young leaves tinged on lower side and
along margin of upper side with rose-carmine. Leaves large to
medium, thin; upper surface very light green, glossy, nearly
smooth; lower surface pale green, slightly pubescent and cobwebby;
veins distinct; lobes usually three with terminal lobe obtuse;
petiolar sinus medium to deep, narrow, sometimes closed and
overlapping; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus shallow,
narrow; teeth shallow to medium, of average width. Flowers sterile,
open in mid-season; stamens reflexed.
[Illustration: MERRIMAC]
Fruit ripens with or later than Concord, ships and keeps well.
Clusters variable in size, intermediate in length, often broad,
tapering to cylindrical, variable in compactness; peduncle short to
medium, of average thickness; pedicel intermediate in length,
slender, covered with numerous, small, inconspicuous warts; brush
wine-colored. Berries large to medium, roundish, black, glossy,
covered with abundant blue bloom, persistent, firm. Skin thick,
tough, adheres slightly to the pulp, contains a small amount of
wine-colored pigment, astringent. Flesh light green, translucent,
juicy, moderately fine-grained, medium tender, stringy, with little
or no aroma, good in quality. Seeds rather adherent, one to five,
average four, somewhat large and broad, long to medium, frequently
with enlarged neck, brownish; raphe sometimes shows as a narrow
cord; chalaza of average size, plainly above center, distinct.
MILLS.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
=1.= _Horticulturist_, =30=:93. 1875. =2.= _Rural N. Y._, =47=:144,
146. _fig._ 1888. =3.= _Can. Hort._, =11=:102, 103. _fig._ 1888.
=4.= _Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1888-9=:107. =5.= _Kan. Sta. Bul._,
=14=:89. 1890. =6.= _Ib._, =28=:160. 1891. =7.= _N. Y. Sta. An.
Rpt._, =12=:621. 1893. =8.= _Rural N. Y._, =53=:6. 1894. =9.=
_Bush. Cat._, =1894=:155. =10.= _Rural N. Y._, =54=:715, 779, 795.
1895. =11.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._, =1897=:19. =12.= _N. Y. Sta. An.
Rpt._, =17=:533, 548, 556, 559. 1898. =13.= _Mich. Sta. Bul._,
=169=:173. 1899. =14.= _Ga. Sta. Bul._, =53=:46, 51. 1901.
Probably none of the commonly cultivated grapes varies more under
different cultural conditions than Mills. It is chiefly from this fact
that viticulturists are so diverse in their opinions of it, some
claiming that it is among our best grapes and others pronouncing it
almost worthless. Mills grown in the vineyards of this Station is one of
the half dozen best out of 270 varieties in its fruit characters. The
bunches and berries are large and well-formed, the berries being a
handsome black with bluish bloom and adhering so firmly to the stem that
the fruit may be left until April without shelling. The berries are firm
and solid, with the skin adherent to the pulp almost as in the
Viniferas, and with the same texture of flesh as in Black Hamburg. The
flesh, despite the solidity, is juicy and parts readily from the seeds.
Its flavor is rich, sweet, vinous, with a trace of muskiness. The grapes
are hardly surpassed in keeping quality and seldom if ever crack or
shatter. The season is a little earlier than Concord.
But when we have described its fruit characters, practically all that
can be is said in its favor. The vines are of only medium vigor, are not
hardy, are fruitful only under the most favorable conditions, and are
very subject to mildew. In New York neither wood nor roots ripen well in
the average season and the variety is a most difficult one for
nurserymen to handle. That it succeeds only on certain soils is known
but data are not at hand to determine what conditions of soil suit it
best. The soil on which the vines of this Station are growing is a
rather heavy, rich clay and Mills makes a very fair growth here. The
variety is of doubtful commercial value, unless it be for a special
market, but for the garden or the amateur viticulturist it is
undoubtedly one of the best if adapted to the soil and location. It is
possible that the commercial grower may be able to graft it to advantage
on some variety with better vine characters.
William H. Mills of Hamilton, Ontario, produced the Mills grape about
1870 from seed of Muscat Hamburg fertilized by Creveling. It was not
introduced to the public, however, until 1888, when it was offered for
sale by Ellwanger & Barry of Rochester, New York. Mills was placed on
the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1897
but was dropped from the list two years later. The variety has been
widely tested but as yet has not become of commercial importance in any
of the grape regions of the country.
Vine medium to above in vigor, not hardy, productive unless injured
by the winter, somewhat subject to mildew. Canes long, of medium
size, rather thick, light brown; nodes slightly enlarged and
flattened, internodes medium to large; diaphragm rather thick; pith
quite large; shoots slightly pubescent; tendrils intermittent, of
average length, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds small to medium, short, somewhat slender, conical to
pointed, open very late. Young leaves tinged with carmine slightly
on under side and along margin of upper side, which is heavily
coated with whitish pubescence. Leaves medium to large, thick;
upper surface dark green, dull, medium to rugose; lower surface
pale green, cobwebby; lobes three to five with terminus acute to
acuminate; petiolar sinus intermediate in depth and width; basal
and lateral sinuses quite deep and wide; teeth deep, of average
width. Flowers nearly fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens somewhat later than Concord, an unusually good shipper
and keeper. Clusters large to medium, long, slender to medium,
cylindrical to slightly tapering, often single-shouldered but
sometimes double-shouldered, compact; peduncle short, thick;
pedicel intermediate in length, medium to slender, covered with
numerous, small warts, much enlarged at point of attachment to
fruit; brush moderately long, wine-colored. Berries large, oval to
roundish, very dark red to jet-black when fully ripe, covered with
abundant blue bloom, very persistent, firm. Skin thick and somewhat
tough, strongly adherent to the pulp, not astringent. Flesh light
green, translucent, juicy, not tough but meaty, with a rich,
sprightly flavor, vinous, sweet, very good to best. Seeds separate
easily from the pulp, one to three, average two, medium to large,
variable in length and bluntness, brownish, frequently with
enlarged neck; raphe obscure; chalaza small, above center,
irregularly oval to pear-shaped, distinct.
[Illustration: MILLS]
MISSOURI RIESLING.[201]
(Riparia, Labrusca.)
=1.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1881=:33, 149. =2.= _Ill. Hort. Soc.
Rpt._, =1883=:76. =3.= _Bush. Cat._, =1883=:103, 132. =4.= _Am.
Pom. Soc. Cat._, =1889=:24. =5.= _Gar. and For._, =3=:290, 599.
1890. =6.= _Kan. Sta. Bul._, =14=:89. 1890. =7.= _Ill. Sta. Bul._,
=28=:265. 1893. =8.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =13=:605. 1894. =9.=
_Bush. Cat._, =1894=:5, 156. =10.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:533,
548, 556, 1898. =11.= _Ala. Sta. Bul._, =110=:86. 1900.
RIESLING (3). _Grein's No. 1_ (3, 9).
Unfortunately the Southern Riparia seedlings, Missouri Riesling, Elvira,
Noah, Grein Golden, and others, do not attain perfection in New York.
The vines are sufficiently hardy, vigorous, productive, and healthy, as
a rule, but the fruit is lacking in quality and not acceptable for table
use nor wholly desirable in wine-making. It is only in the long seasons
and under the sunny skies of the South that the varieties of this group
of Riparias are well grown. As one of these grapes, Missouri Riesling is
not adapted to New York; as it grows here it is not of high quality and
does not mature. The variety is illustrated and described not because of
intrinsic value in this region but as of interest as representing a
somewhat distinct and important group of native grapes. It is a
beautiful fruit when well grown and has many good qualities as a wine
grape, and should it prove adapted to some favored nook or corner of the
State, its culture would probably prove profitable.
Missouri Riesling was originated by Nicholas Grein about 1870, probably
from seed of Taylor. Grein planted seeds of the European Riesling and of
Taylor at the same time and he always supposed that none of the Taylor
seeds grew and that the Missouri Riesling was a seedling of the Riesling
of Germany. Since the Missouri Riesling is evidently of Riparia-Labrusca
lineage and shows no Vinifera whatever, it is to be presumed that
Grein's labels were confused. It was placed on the grape list of the
American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1889 and is still retained
there.
Vine variable in vigor, usually hardy, medium to productive. Canes
very long, numerous, thick, dark brown; nodes enlarged, not
flattened; internodes long; diaphragm below average thickness;
pith medium to above in size; shoots pubescent; tendrils
continuous, long, trifid to bifid.
Leaf-buds medium in size, short, thick, obtuse to conical, open in
mid-season. Young leaves slightly tinged on under side only with
faint brownish-carmine. Leaves large, thick to medium; upper
surface dark green, glossy, nearly smooth; lower surface pale
green, thinly pubescent; veins distinct; lobes usually five with
terminal lobe acuminate; petiolar sinus deep, narrow to medium;
basal sinus shallow and wide; lateral sinus deep, above average
width; teeth deep to medium, wide. Flowers fertile to semi-fertile,
open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit usually ripens later than Concord and a little before
Catawba, does not keep nor ship well. Clusters variable in size,
medium to short, of average width, sometimes cylindrical,
frequently single-shouldered, variable in compactness; peduncle
medium to long, slender; pedicel above average length, covered with
few small warts; brush green with tinge of yellow. Berries
intermediate in size, roundish to oval, pale or yellowish-green
changing to light red or with tinge of pink when fully ripe, not
glossy, covered with thin gray bloom, persistent, firm. Skin
sprinkled with small brown dots, thin, tough, adheres to the pulp,
contains no pigment, slightly astringent. Flesh pale green,
translucent, moderately juicy, tender, fine-grained, lacking
somewhat in aroma, sweet at skin to agreeably tart at center, mild,
of fair quality. Seeds adherent, one to four, average two, with
surface somewhat roughened, intermediate in size and breadth,
medium to long, not blunt, dark brown; raphe obscure; chalaza of
fair size, above center, ovate, very distinct.
MONROE.
(Labrusca, Bourquiniana?)
=1.= _Gar. Mon._, =22=:176. 1880. =2.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._,
=1881=:40, 43. =3.= _Bush. Cat._, =1883=:122. =4.= _N. Y. Sta. An.
Rpt._, =9=:327. 1890. =5.= _Bush. Cat._, =1894=:156. =6.= _Va. Sta.
Bul._, =94=:135. 1898. =7.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:533, 546,
547, 552. 1898. =8.= _Mich. Sta. Bul._, =169=:173. 1899.
It is now about thirty years since Monroe was offered to the
grape-growers of this State, and as a New York seedling, yet it can now
scarcely be found under cultivation. It has failed because it is lacking
in quality and because its vine characters are not sufficiently good to
attract either the commercial or the amateur grape-grower.
[Illustration: MISSOURI RIESLING]
This variety was raised by Ellwanger & Barry of Rochester, New York,
from mixed seed of Delaware, Diana, Concord, and Rebecca, and was first
fruited in 1867. Patrick Barry at one time stated that it was a cross of
Delaware and Concord. This, while evidently a surmise, appears quite
probable. It was tested by the originators for many years and was
finally introduced in 1880 but was dropped some years ago from the list
of recommended sorts in Ellwanger & Barry's catalog.
Vine vigorous to medium, hardy, variable in productiveness,
somewhat susceptible to attacks of mildew and rot. Canes medium to
long, often numerous, medium to slender, covered with considerable
blue bloom; tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves intermediate in size
and color; lower surface pale green, thinly pubescent. Flowers
fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright. Fruit ripens soon
after Hartford, keeps well. Clusters above medium to medium in size
and length, often broad and cylindrical, rather blunt at ends,
usually single-shouldered, the shoulder being attached to the bunch
by a long stem, nearly compact, sometimes with a number of abortive
fruits. Berries medium to above in size, roundish, black or
purplish-black, covered with heavy blue bloom, persistent. Skin
thick, tough, adheres considerably to the pulp, contains a large
amount of purplish-red pigment, not astringent. Flesh pale green
with a tinge of yellow, rather transparent, tender and almost
melting, nearly sweet, lacks character, no more than fair in
quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, intermediate in
length, size, and width.
MONTEFIORE.
(Riparia, Labrusca.)
=1.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1881=:44. =2.= _Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt._,
=1883=:44, 182. =3.= _Ib._, =1884=:216. =4.= _Kan. Sta. Bul._,
=14=:89. 1890. =5.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =11=:630. 1892. =6.=
_Ill. Sta. Bul._, =28=:256. 1893. =7.= _Col. Sta. Bul._, =29=:19.
1894. =8.= _Bush. Cat._, =1894=:156. _fig._ =9.= Husmann,
=1895=:36. =10.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:533, 548, 556. 1898.
_Rommel's Taylor Seedling No. 14_ (8). _Taylor's Seedling No. 14_
(1).
Montefiore, named in honor of the Jewish philanthropist, Moses
Montefiore, is one of Rommel's seedlings of Taylor. The variety has been
largely grown in Missouri and the Southwest as a claret wine grape but
is almost unknown in New York and the East. Montefiore is reported as
succeeding in the Lake District of Ohio and, with the exception that it
is somewhat uncertain in bearing and not always productive on the
grounds of this Station, it has grown well in this section of New York.
While Montefiore is essentially a wine grape, yet it is pleasing in
taste and texture of fruit and is far better in quality than many of the
coarser Labruscas so commonly cultivated. It keeps and ships well and
presents an attractive appearance as a table grape. Were it not that the
variety has been under cultivation for thirty years or more and
therefore probably tested and discarded in New York, we should recommend
it for extensive trial, especially as a red wine grape.
Jacob Rommel[202] of Morrison, Missouri, produced this variety from seed
of Taylor said to have been fertilized with Ives. It was exhibited by
Rommel at the American Pomological Society meeting in 1879, where it
attracted the attention of Isadore Bush, of Bush & Son & Meissner, who
named it Montefiore and introduced it the following year.
Vine medium to vigorous, hardy, an uncertain bearer. Canes long, of
average number, thick, dark brown with slight reddish tinge,
surface covered with thin blue bloom; nodes enlarged, flattened;
internodes long to medium; diaphragm thick; pith medium to above in
size; shoots thinly pubescent; tendrils continuous, long, bifid.
Leaf-buds of average size, short, thick, conical to obtuse, open in
mid-season. Young leaves tinged on under side and along margin of
upper side with light brownish-carmine. Leaves intermediate in
size, thick to medium; upper surface light green, dull, smooth to
medium; lower surface grayish-white, pubescent; veins well defined;
lobes three when present with terminus acute to acuminate; petiolar
sinus of average depth, medium to wide; basal sinus lacking;
lateral sinus very shallow and narrow when present; teeth deep to
medium, intermediate in width. Flowers self-sterile to imperfectly
self-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens about with Concord or later, keeps well. Clusters
medium to small, rather short, of average width, tapering to
cylindrical, frequently single-shouldered, the shoulder being
connected to the bunch by a long stem, compact; peduncle medium to
short, intermediate in size; pedicel short, slender, nearly smooth;
brush of fair length, tinged with red. Berries medium to small,
oval to roundish, often compressed, black, glossy, covered with
abundant blue bloom, persistent, firm. Skin medium to thin, tough,
adheres slightly to the pulp, with wine-colored pigment,
astringent. Flesh medium green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained,
tender and melting, vinous, sweet to agreeably tart, fair to good
in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, one to five,
average three, small, broad, faintly notched, short, plump,
brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza intermediate in size, slightly
above center to central, oval to nearly circular, somewhat obscure.
Must 90°.
[Illustration: MONTEFIORE]
[Illustration: MOORE EARLY]
MOORE EARLY.
(Labrusca.)
=1.= _Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1871=:43. =2.= _Ib._, =1872=:94.
=3.= _Ib._, =1873=:101. =4.= _Ib._, Pt. =2=:81, 82, 109. 1877. =5.=
_Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1881=:32, 40, 41. =6.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Cat._,
=1881=:24. =7.= _Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1886=:225. =8.= _Am. Pom.
Soc. Rpt._, =1887=:97. =9.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =9=:327. 1890.
=10.= _Can. Hort._, =15=:95. 1892. _col. pl._ =11.= _Ia. Hort. Soc.
Rpt._, =1893=:161. =12.= _Bush. Cat._, =1894=:158. _fig._ =13.=
_Col. Sta. Bul._, =29=:19. 1894. =14.= _Tenn. Sta. Bul._, Vol.
=9=:184, 195. 1896. =15.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =15=:430, 431,
432, 433. 1896. =16.= _Vt. Sta. Bul._, =62=:41. 1898. =17.= _N. Y.
Sta. An. Rpt._, =17=:533, 541, 543, 544, 545, 547, 552. 1898. =18.=
_Mich. Sta. Bul._, =169=:173. 1899. =19.= _Rural N. Y._, =66=:173.
1907.
Moore Early is the standard grape of its season in New York. It cannot
be better described than as an early Concord. It comes in season from
two to three weeks earlier than Concord and the last fruits of it are
sent to market before those of the later grape are picked. The vines are
readily recognizable from those of Concord, differing chiefly in being
less productive and more precarious bearers. To grow the variety
satisfactorily the soil must be rich, well drained and loose, must be
frequently cultivated and the vines should be carefully pruned and cared
for in every way. The bunches of Moore Early are not as large as those
of Concord and are more inclined to looseness, and the berries sometimes
shell rather badly. The berries are larger and, as with Concord, crack
under unfavorable conditions. The flesh characters and the flavor are
essentially those of Concord, though the quality, representing all of
the characters which make a fruit pleasant to the palate, is not as high
as in the older variety; it is however much higher than that of Champion
and Hartford, its chief competitors in this State and varieties which it
should replace. Moore Early is by no means an ideal grape for its season
but until something better is introduced it will probably remain the
best early commercial grape for New York.
Captain John B. Moore of Concord, Massachusetts, is said to have
originated this variety from seed of Concord. In 1871 it was exhibited
before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society with fifty other
seedlings of the same parentage. It was awarded a first class
certificate of merit by this Society in 1877, and was introduced by the
originator the same year. In 1881 Moore Early was placed on the grape
list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog where it still
remains.
Vine medium to vigorous, hardy, not a heavy yielder. Canes medium
to short, of average number, medium to below in thickness, rather
dark reddish-brown, surface slightly roughened; nodes enlarged,
flattened; internodes short to medium; diaphragm thinnish; pith
intermediate in size; shoots pubescent; tendrils continuous, of
fair length, bifid to trifid.