In all that constitutes a fine table-grape, Herbert (Plate XVIII) is
as near perfection as any American variety. For a Vinifera-Labrusca
hybrid, the vine is vigorous, hardy and fruitful, ranking in these
respects above many pure-bred Labruscas. While the fruit ripens with
Concord, it keeps much later and packs and ships better. The variety
is self-sterile and must be set near other varieties. Herbert is
deserving attention from commercial growers who supply a
discriminating market, and its many good qualities give it high place
as a garden grape. The variety is one of Rogers' hybrids, named
Herbert in 1869.
Vine very vigorous, productive. Canes long, numerous, thick, dark
brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes long; tendrils
intermittent, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, round; upper
surface dark green, dull, smooth; lower surface pale green with
some pubescence; leaf entire, terminus obtuse; petiolar sinus
deep, narrow, closed, overlapping; basal and lateral sinuses
lacking; teeth shallow. Flowers self-sterile, open in mid-season;
stamens reflexed.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters large, broad, tapering, two
to three clusters per shoot, heavily single-shouldered, loose;
pedicel thick with small russet warts; brush yellowish-green.
Berries large, round-oval, flattened, dull black, covered with
thick bloom, persistent, firm; skin thick, tough, adherent,
astringent; flesh light green, translucent, juicy, tender,
fine-grained; very good. Seeds adherent, three to six, large,
broad, notched, long with swollen neck, blunt, brown with yellow
tips.
HERCULES
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Hercules is characterized by very large berries, fruit handsomely
colored and cluster large and well-formed. The flavor, while not of
the best, is good. Added to the desirable qualities of the fruit, the
vines are hardy, vigorous and productive. These good characters,
however, cannot make up for the several defects of the variety. The
grapes drop and crack badly and the pulp is tough and adheres too
firmly to the seed for a dessert grape, so that the variety is
worthless except for breeding purposes. Hercules was introduced by G.
A. Ensenberger, Bloomington, Illinois, about 1890; its parentage is
unknown.
Vine very vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes long, dark
reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes long;
tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves large; upper surface light
green, glossy, smooth; lower surface grayish-green, pubescent;
lobes one to three, terminus acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow;
basal sinus usually absent; lateral sinus shallow; teeth shallow.
Flowers self-sterile, open in mid-season; stamens reflexed.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters very large, broad,
tapering, one to three clusters per shoot, compact; brush pale
green. Berries very large, round, black, glossy with heavy bloom,
firm; skin adherent, astringent; flesh green, translucent, juicy,
very tough, coarse, stringy, foxy; fair in quality. Seeds
adherent, one to five, large, broad, deeply notched, blunt, brown.
HICKS
(Labrusca)
Hicks is a remarkably good grape and were it not that the fruit is
almost identical with that of Concord, ripening with it or a little
earlier, it would have a place in the viticulture of the country.
However, since it was introduced some years ago and has not found
great favor with growers, it seems that it cannot make headway against
Concord, with which it must compete. In many localities the vines are
more prolific than those of Concord and of stronger growth. Hicks was
introduced in 1898 by Henry Wallis, Wellston, Missouri, who states
that it is a chance seedling sent from California about 1870 to
Richard Berry, a nurseryman of St. Louis County, Missouri.
Vine very vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes medium to long,
numerous, reddish-brown, covered with thin bloom; tendrils
continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick; upper surface
dark green, glossy; lower surface white, changing to a heavy
bronze, strongly pubescent. Flowers self-fertile, open early;
stamens upright.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters large, long, broad,
tapering, often single-shouldered. Berries large, round,
purplish-black with heavy bloom, shatter when over-ripe, firm;
skin tender with dark wine-colored pigment; flesh green, juicy,
tough, fine-grained, faintly foxy; good. Seeds adherent, large,
short, broad, blunt, brown.
HIDALGO
(Vinifera, Labrusca, Bourquiniana)
The grapes of Hidalgo are rich, sweet, delicately flavored, and with
color, size and form of berry and bunch so well combined as to make
the fruits singularly handsome. The skin is thin but firm and the
variety keeps and ships well. The vines, however, are doubtfully
hardy, variable in vigor and not always fruitful. While Hidalgo may
not prove of value for the commercial vineyard, in favorable
situations it may give a supply of choice fruit for the amateur. The
parentage of Hidalgo, as given by its originator, T. V. Munson, is
Delaware, Goethe and Lindley. The variety was introduced by the
originator in 1902.
Vine variable in vigor, hardiness and productiveness. Canes thick,
dark reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; tendrils
intermittent or continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves large,
irregularly round, thick; upper surface light green, dull, rugose;
lower surface pale green, bronzed, heavily pubescent; lobes three
when present; petiolar sinus narrow, sometimes closed and
overlapping; basal sinus wanting; lateral sinus shallow, narrow;
teeth very shallow, narrow. Flowers semi-fertile, open after
mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit mid-season, keeps and ships well. Clusters large, long,
slender, cylindrical, often blunt, not shouldered, one to two
bunches per shoot, compact; pedicel long, slender with small
warts; brush yellowish-green with brown tinge. Berries large,
oval, greenish-yellow, glossy with thin bloom, persistent, firm;
skin thin, tough, adherent, astringent; flesh green, transparent,
juicy, tender, melting, aromatic, sweet; very good to best. Seeds
free, two to four, large, plump, light brown.
HIGHLAND
(Vinifera, Labrusca)
Few varieties of black grapes equal Highland in appearance and quality
of fruit. When given good care under favorable conditions, the bunches
are unusually large and handsome in appearance, sometimes attaining a
weight of two pounds, and bear beautiful bluish-black berries with the
fine flavor and tender texture of Jura Muscat, one of its parents. The
flesh is solid, firm and the fruit keeps and ships well. The vine is
vigorous, productive to a fault but is doubtfully hardy. Where the
climate is temperate and the season long enough for the vine and
fruit of Highland to develop, this is one of the choicest grapes for
the amateur. The variety originated about the close of the Civil War
with J. H. Ricketts, Newburgh, New York, from seed of Concord
fertilized by Jura Muscat.
Vine variable in vigor, productive, healthy. Canes long, numerous,
dark brown with thin bloom; nodes enlarged; internodes long;
tendrils intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves large; upper
surface dark green, dull, rugose; lower surface grayish-green,
pubescent; lobes one to five, terminal one acute; petiolar sinus
deep, variable in width; basal sinus shallow, narrow; lateral
sinus a notch; teeth deep, wide. Flowers self-fertile, open in
mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters large, long, broad, tapering,
usually single-shouldered, usually two bunches per shoot; pedicel
long, thick, smooth; brush green with yellow tinge. Berries large,
round-oval, purplish-black, dull with heavy bloom, persistent,
firm; skin tough, free; flesh green, translucent, juicy, tender,
vinous; good. Seeds free, one to six, large, long, notched, brown.
HOPKINS
(Rotundifolia)
Hopkins is named by grape-growers in the South Atlantic states as the
best early Rotundifolia grape. Its season in North Carolina begins
early in August, nearly a month before any other. It is, also, one of
the best in quality and for quality and earliness should be in every
home vineyard in the region in which it grows. Hopkins was found near
Wilmington, North Carolina, about 1845, by John Hopkins.
Vine very vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, slender,
upright. Leaves of medium size, variable, cordate, longer than
broad, thick, leathery, smooth, dark green; margins sharply
serrate. Flowers self-fertile.
Fruit very early. Clusters large, containing from four to ten
berries. Berries large, dark purple or almost black, round-oblong,
shelling badly; skin thick, tough, faintly marked with dots; pulp
white, tender, juicy with a sweet, pleasant flavor; one of the
best of the Rotundifolias in quality.
HOSFORD
(Labrusca)
Hosford is an offspring of Concord, differing from the parent chiefly
in the greater size of bunch and berry and in being less fruitful. The
variety is surpassed by Worden and Eaton, of the same type, and is
probably not worth cultivation. It is claimed by some that Hosford is
identical with Eaton but there are noticeable differences in both vine
and fruit characters. The vine looks very like that of Concord except
that the indentations along the margins of the leaves are deeper.
Hosford originated in the garden of George Hosford, Ionia, Michigan,
about 1876, as a chance seedling growing between two Concord vines.
Vines lacking in vigor, hardy, unproductive. Canes short, few in
number, slender; nodes enlarged; internodes very short; tendrils
continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves medium in size; upper surface
light green, rugose; lower surface grayish-white to bronze,
heavily pubescent; lobes faint; petiolar sinus wide; teeth small,
sharp. Flowers shallow, semi-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens
upright.
Fruit mid-season, does not keep well. Clusters large, tapering,
slightly shouldered, compact; pedicel short with small warts;
brush slender, green. Berries large, round-oval, dull black with
abundant bloom, persistent; skin thick, tender; flesh pale green,
juicy, fine-grained, tender, vinous, sweet; good. Seeds few,
large, broad, blunt, plump, brown.
HYBRID FRANC
(Vinifera, Rupestris)
Hybrid Franc is the best-known cross between Rupestris and Vinifera.
It is one of the few varieties used in Europe as a resistant stock now
recommended for a direct producer. The vines are hardy, vigorous and
very productive. The fruit is fit only for wine or grape-juice, being
too acid to eat out of hand. The coloring matter in the fruit is very
intense and might be used in giving color to grape products. The
variety is of French origin.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes numerous, thick, light
brown with blue bloom; nodes enlarged; internodes short; tendrils
intermittent, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves small, thin; upper
surface light green, glossy, smooth; lower surface green, hairy
along ribs and large veins; lobes three to five with terminal one
acute; petiolar sinus narrow, sometimes closed and overlapping;
lateral sinus a notch. Flowers semi-fertile, open early; stamens
upright.
Fruit mid-season, does not keep well. Clusters medium in size,
short, cylindrical, single-shouldered, compact; pedicel long,
slender with few small warts; brush short, wine-colored. Berries
small, oblate, black, glossy with thick bloom, persistent, firm;
skin thin, tender with very dark wine-colored pigment; flesh green
with reddish tinge, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender,
spicy, tart; fair in quality. Seeds free, one to five, small,
short, light brown.
IDEAL
(Labrusca, Vinifera, Bourquiniana)
Ideal is a handsome seedling of Delaware, from which it differs
chiefly in being larger in bunch and berry, attaining in both of these
characters nearly the size of Catawba. In Kansas and Missouri, this
variety is highly recommended, not only for the high quality of the
fruit, ranking with Delaware in quality, but because of vigorous,
healthy, productive vines. But farther north the vines are
precariously hardy and not sufficiently fruitful, healthy nor vigorous
to warrant high recommendation. Ideal originated with John Burr,
Leavenworth, Kansas, from seed of Delaware, about 1885.
Vine vigorous, doubtfully hardy, productive; tendrils
intermittent, bifid or trifid. Canes long, numerous, slender, dark
brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes long. Leaves large,
variable in color; lobes three to five; petiolar sinus deep, wide;
teeth deep, narrow; upper surface light green, dull; lower surface
pale green, pubescent.
Fruit early mid-season, keeps well. Clusters large, broad, heavily
shouldered; pedicel thick; brush green. Berries large, round,
dark red with thin bloom, usually persistent, firm; skin thick,
tough, adherent; flesh green, tender, aromatic, sweet next the
skin, acid at the center; good to very good. Seeds adherent,
large, plump, brown.
IONA
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
In flavor, the fruit of Iona (Plate XIX) has a rare combination of
sweetness and acidity, pure, delicate and vinous. The flesh is
transparent, melting, tender, juicy and of uniform consistency quite
to the center. The seeds are few and small and part readily from the
flesh. The color is a peculiar dark-red wine with a tint of amethyst,
variable and not always attractive. The bunch is large but loose, with
berries varying in size and ripening unevenly. The fruit may be kept
until late winter. The vine characters of Iona are not as good as
those of the fruit. To do well, the vine must have a soil exactly
suited to its wants, seemingly thriving best in deep, dry, sandy or
gravelly clays. Iona responds especially well when trained against
walls or buildings, attaining under such conditions rare perfection.
The vines are doubtfully hardy and in many parts of the North must
have winter protection; they are not vigorous and are inclined to
overbear, to remedy which they must have close pruning. In localities
in which mildew and rot thrive, the variety is badly attacked by these
diseases. Iona originated with C. W. Grant, Iona Island, New York,
from seed of Diana planted in 1885.
Vine weak, doubtfully hardy, unproductive. Canes short, light
brown; nodes enlarged; internodes short; tendrils intermittent,
bifid. Leaves thick; upper surface light green, dull, smooth;
lower surface grayish-green, heavily pubescent; lobes three to
five with terminal one acute; petiolar sinus of medium depth and
width; basal sinus shallow; lateral sinus shallow, wide; teeth
shallow. Flowers self-fertile, open late; stamens upright.
Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters medium in size, sometimes
double-shouldered, slender, tapering, loose; brush pale green.
Berries uniform, oval, round, dull, light and dark red with thin
bloom, persistent, firm; skin tough, adherent, slightly
astringent; flesh green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender,
melting, vinous; very good. Seeds free, one to four, small, broad,
plump, brown.
[Illustration: PLATE XXIX.--Vergennes (x2/3).]
ISABELLA
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
_Alexander, Black Cape, Christie's Improved Isabella, Conckling's
Wilding, Constantia, Dorchester, Gibb's Grape, Hensell's Long Island,
Payne's Early, Helene, Woodward_
Isabella (Plate XX) is now of little more than historical interest, it
having been one of the mainstays of American viticulture. In
appearance, the fruit of Isabella is fully as attractive as that of
any black grape, the clusters being large and well formed and the
berries glossy black with thick bloom. The flavor is good, but the
thick skin and muskiness in taste are objectionable. The grapes keep
and ship well. Isabella is surpassed in vine characters by many other
kinds, notably Concord, which has taken its place. The lustrous green,
ample foliage which remains late in the season, and the vigor of the
vine, make this variety an attractive ornamental, well adapted for
growing on arbors, porches and trellises. The origin of Isabella is
not known. It was obtained by William Prince, Flushing, Long Island,
about 1816 from Mrs. Isabella Gibbs, Brooklyn, New York.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes short, numerous with heavy
pubescence, thick, light brown; nodes enlarged, flattened;
internodes short; tendrils continuous, long, bifid or trifid.
Leaves thick; upper surface dark green, smooth, glossy; lower
surface whitish-green, heavily pubescent; lobes three when present
with terminal lobe obtuse; petiolar sinus shallow, narrow, often
closed, overlapping; basal sinus usually wanting; lateral sinus
shallow, narrow, frequently notched; teeth shallow, wide. Flowers
self-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit late, keeps and ships well. Clusters large, cylindrical,
frequently single-shouldered; pedicel slender, smooth; brush
long, yellowish-green. Berries medium to large, oval, black with
heavy bloom, persistent, soft; skin thick, tough, adherent,
astringent; flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained,
tender, meaty, some foxiness, sweet; good. Seeds one to three,
large, broad, distinctly notched, short, brown with yellow tips.
ISABELLA SEEDLING
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Isabella Seedling is an early, vigorous, productive offspring of
Isabella. In fruit characters it greatly resembles its parent, but
ripens its crop earlier and has a more compact bunch. Like that of its
parent, the fruit is of good quality and keeps remarkably well. This
seedling is now grown more than Isabella and, while not of any
considerable commercial importance, is far more deserving attention as
a market grape than some of the poorly flavored kinds more generally
grown. There are several varieties under this name. Two are mentioned
by Warder; one of Ohio and one of New York origin. The Isabella
Seedling here described originated with G. A. Ensenberger,
Bloomington, Illinois, in 1889.
Vine vigorous, healthy, hardy, productive. Canes long, thick, dark
brown, often with a red tinge, with thin bloom; nodes prominent,
flattened; internodes long; tendrils intermittent or continuous,
bifid. Leaves healthy, large, thick; upper surface green, dull;
lower surface pale green or grayish-green, occasionally with a
tinge of bronze, pubescent. Flowers self-fertile; stamens upright.
Fruit early, keeps well. Clusters large, long, slender,
cylindrical, usually single-shouldered, loose, compact. Berries
large, oval, often pear-shaped, dull black with thick bloom,
persistent, soft; skin thick with some red pigment; flesh pale
green, juicy, tender, coarse, vinous; good. Seeds numerous, free,
large, broad, notched, dark brown.
ISRAELLA
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Israella came from C. W. Grant contemporaneously with Iona and was
heralded as the earliest good grape in cultivation. For several years
after its introduction, it was widely tried but was almost everywhere
discarded because of the poor quality and unattractive appearance of
the fruit and lack of vigor, hardiness and productiveness in the vine.
Grant grew Israella from seed of Isabella planted in 1885.
Vine lacking in vigor, unproductive. Canes slender, dark brown;
nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes short; tendrils continuous,
bifid. Leaves large; upper surface light green, dull, rugose;
lower surface pale green, pubescent; lobes one to five, faint;
petiolar sinus deep, narrow; teeth shallow, sharp; stamens
upright.
Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters large, of medium length and
breadth, tapering, often single-shouldered, compact, frequently
with many abortive fruits. Berries of medium size, round-oval,
black or purplish-black with thin bloom, inclined to drop, soft;
skin thick, tough with a large amount of purplish-red pigment;
flesh pale green, juicy, stringy, mild, sweet from skin to center;
fair in quality. Seeds free, medium in size, notched, blunt, light
brown, often covered with grayish warts.
IVES
(Labrusca, AEstivalis)
_Ives' Madeira, Ives' Seedling, Kittredge_
Ives has a high reputation as a grape for making red wine, being
surpassed only by Norton for this purpose. The vine is hardy, healthy,
vigorous and fruitful. The fruit is poor in quality, colors long
before ripe, has a foxy odor, and the flesh is tough and pulpy. The
bunches are compact, with well-formed, jet-black grapes, which make
them attractive. The vine is easily propagated and is adapted to any
good grape soil, but is so rampant in growth that it is difficult to
manage. The variety is not widely cultivated. Ives was grown by Henry
Ives from seed planted in 1840 in his garden in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes long, thick,
reddish-brown with thin bloom; nodes enlarged, flattened;
internodes short; tendrils continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves
large; upper surface dark green, dull, rugose; lower surface pale
green, pubescent; lobes three to five when present with terminal
one acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, sometimes closed and
overlapping; basal sinus shallow; lateral sinus narrow; teeth
shallow.
Fruit late mid-season, keeps well. Clusters large, tapering,
frequently single-shouldered, compact, often with numerous
abortive berries; pedicel slender with numerous small warts; brush
short, slender, pale with a reddish-brown tinge. Berries oval,
jet-black with heavy bloom, very persistent, firm; skin tough,
adherent, wine-colored pigment, astringent; flesh pale green,
translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tough, foxy; good. Seeds
adherent, one to four, small, often abortive, broad, short, blunt,
plump, brown.
JAMES
(Rotundifolia)
James is one of the largest of the Rotundifolia grapes and probably
the best general-purpose variety of this species. The vine is noted
for vigor and productiveness. It cannot be grown north of Maryland. It
thrives in sandy loam soils with clay subsoil. The variety was found
by B. W. M. James, 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.
Vine vigorous, healthy, productive. Canes slender, numerous, long,
slightly trailing. Leaves of medium size, thick, smooth, leathery,
cordate, as broad as long, with a serrate margin. Flowers open
late; stamens reflexed.
Fruit ripens late, hangs on the vine for three weeks, keeps well.
Clusters small, containing from four to twelve berries, irregular,
loose. Berries large, three-fourths to one and one-fourth inches
in diameter, round, blue-black, marked with specks; skin thick,
tough. Pulp juicy, sweet; good in quality.
JANESVILLE
(Labrusca, Vulpina)
Endowed with a constitution enabling it to withstand cold to which
most other grapes succumb, Janesville has made a place for itself in
far northern localities. Moreover, the grapes ripen early, being about
the first to color although they are not ripe until some time after
coloring. The vine also is healthy, vigorous and productive. The
fruit, however, is worthless when better sorts can be grown. The
clusters and berries are small, the grapes are pulpy, tough, seedy,
have a thick skin and a disagreeable acid taste. Janesville was grown
by F. W. Loudon, Janesville, Wisconsin, from chance seed planted in
1858.
Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes spiny, numerous,
dark brown; nodes flattened; internodes long; tendrils
intermittent or continuous, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves small,
thin; upper surface glossy, smooth; lower surface pale green,
lightly pubescent; leaf usually not lobed with terminus acute;
petiolar sinus narrow, often closed and overlapping; basal and
lateral sinuses lacking; teeth shallow. Flowers self-fertile, open
very early; stamens upright.
Fruit early, keeps well. Clusters small, short, cylindrical,
usually single-shouldered, compact; pedicel short, slender,
covered with small, scattering warts; brush dark wine color.
Berries round, dull black with heavy bloom, persistent, firm; skin
thick, tough, adherent with dark wine-colored pigment, astringent;
flesh pale reddish-green, translucent, juicy, tough, coarse,
vinous, acid; fair in quality. Seeds adherent, one to six, large,
broad, angular, blunt, dark brown.
JEFFERSON
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Jefferson (Plate XXI) is an offspring of Concord crossed with Iona,
and resembles Concord in vigor, productiveness and healthiness of
vine, and Iona in color and quality of fruit. The vine produces its
fruit two weeks later than Concord and is not as hardy, faults that
debar it from taking high rank as a commercial grape. Fortunately the
vines yield readily to laying down for winter protection so that even
in commercial plantations it is not difficult to prevent winter
injury. The bunches of Jefferson are large, well-formed, compact with
berries of uniform size and color. The flesh is firm yet tender, 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. 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 all soils. The variety originated with J. H. Ricketts,
Newburgh, New York; it fruited first in 1874.
Vine vigorous, healthy, doubtfully hardy, productive. Canes short,
numerous, light to dark brown; nodes enlarged, round; internodes
short; tendrils intermittent, short, bifid or trifid. Leaves
healthy; upper surface light green, older leaves rugose; lower
surface pale green, strongly pubescent; leaf usually not lobed
with terminus acute; petiolar sinus narrow, sometimes closed and
overlapping; basal sinus usually absent; lateral sinus shallow,
often a mere notch; teeth regular, shallow. Flowers self-fertile,
open late; stamens upright.
Fruit late, keeps and ships well. Clusters large, cylindrical,
usually single-shouldered, sometimes double-shouldered, compact;
pedicel short, slender with a few inconspicuous warts; brush long,
slender, pale yellowish-green. Berries medium in size, oval, light
and dark red, glossy with thin bloom, persistent, very firm; skin
thick, tough, free, slightly astringent; flesh light green,
translucent, juicy, coarse-grained, tender, vinous; good to best.
Seeds free, one to four, broad, short, blunt, plump, brown.
JESSICA
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Jessica is an early, hardy, green grape. The fruit is sweet, rich,
sprightly and almost free from foxiness, but is unattractive and does
not keep well. The clusters and berries are small, and the clusters
are 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, Port Dalhousie, Ontario, grew Jessica from
seed planted some time between 1870 and 1880.
Vine medium in vigor, healthy, hardy, productive. Canes long,
thick, dark brown with red tinge; nodes enlarged, flattened;
internodes short; tendrils continuous or intermittent, bifid or
trifid. Leaves small; upper surface dark green, glossy, often
rugose; lower surface pale green, very pubescent; lobes three;
petiolar sinus narrow; teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers
self-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit very early. Clusters small, slender, tapering, usually
single-shouldered. Berries small, round, light green, often tinged
with yellow, covered with thin bloom, persistent, soft; skin thin,
adherent, faintly astringent; flesh pale green, transparent,
juicy, tender, soft, sprightly, sweet; good. Seeds adherent,
medium to broad, notched, brown.
JEWEL
(Labrusca, Bourquiniana, Vinifera)
The notable characters of Jewel are earliness and high quality in
fruit; although, as compared with Delaware, its parent, the vine is
vigorous, healthy and hardy. In form and size of bunch and berry,
Jewel closely resembles Delaware, but the grapes are deep black in
color. The flesh characters and flavor of the fruit 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. The
seeds are few and small. The skin is thin but tough, and the grapes
ship well, keep long, do not shell, and although early, hang until
frost. Jewel is a most excellent grape, worthy the place among black
grapes that Delaware has among red varieties. In particular, it is
recommended for earliness and for localities in the North where
standard varieties do not ripen. John Burr, Leavenworth, Kansas, grew
Jewel from seed of Delaware planted about 1874.
Vine vigorous, healthy, hardy, productive. Canes slender, light
reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes short;
tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves scant, thick; upper surface
light green, dull, rugose; lower surface tinged with bronze,
heavily pubescent; lobes three when present with terminus acute;
petiolar sinus narrow; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus
shallow, wide; teeth shallow. Flowers self-sterile, open in
mid-season; stamens reflexed.
Fruit early. Clusters small, slender, cylindrical,
single-shouldered, compact; pedicel short, slender; brush short,
wine-colored. Berries medium in size, round, dark purplish-black,
dull with heavy bloom, persistent, firm; skin thin, tough,
adherent, wine-colored pigment; flesh pale green, translucent,
juicy, fine-grained, tender, sprightly, vinous, sweet; very good.
Seeds adherent, one to four, frequently one-sided, blunt, light
brown.
KENSINGTON
(Vinifera, Vulpina)
Kensington has several very meritorious fruit and vine characters. The
vine resembles that of Clinton, its Vulpina parent, in vigor,
hardiness, growth and productiveness, but the fruit has many of the
characters of the European parent, Buckland Sweetwater. The grapes are
yellowish-green, large, oval and borne in loose clusters of medium
size. In quality the fruit of Kensington is not equal to that of
Buckland Sweetwater but is much better than that of Clinton. The flesh
is tender and juicy with a rich, sweet, vinous flavor. The hardiness
of the vine and the high quality of the fruit should make Kensington a
favorite green grape in northern gardens. This variety was grown by
William Saunders, London, Ontario. It was sent out some time between
1870 and 1880.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, slender, light
brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes short; tendrils
persistent, intermittent or continuous, long, bifid or trifid.
Leaves thin; upper surface light green, glossy, smooth; lower
surface pale green, pubescent, hairy; lobes wanting or one to
three with terminus obtuse; petiolar sinus narrow; basal sinus
shallow when present; lateral sinus shallow, usually a notch;
teeth deep and wide. Flowers self-fertile, open early, stamens
upright.
Fruit mid-season. Clusters large, cylindrical, often heavily
single-shouldered, loose, frequently with many undeveloped
berries; pedicel long and slender with small, inconspicuous warts;
brush short, pale green. Berries variable in size, oval,
yellowish-green, glossy with thin bloom, persistent, firm; skin
thin, tough, adherent, faintly astringent; flesh green,
transparent, juicy, tender, vinous, sweet; good. Seeds free, two
to four, wrinkled, large, long, broad, sharp-pointed,
yellowish-brown.
KING
(Labrusca)
King is similar to Concord, compared with which the vine is more
vigorous and prolific, time of ripening and length of season the same,
the clusters are one-fourth larger, the grapes are more persistent,
the pulp is more tender, the flavor nearly the same but more
sprightly, the seeds fewer in number, the wood harder and of shorter
joints and the pedicels larger. King was found in the Concord vineyard
of W. K. Munson, Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1892. The vine was set for
Concord and is supposed to be a bud-sport of that variety.
Vine very vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes large, dark
reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, slightly flattened; internodes
short; tendrils continuous or intermittent, trifid or bifid.
Leaves unusually large, thick; upper surface green, dull; lower
surface grayish-white changing to slight bronze, pubescent; lobes
three when present, terminal one acute; teeth shallow, narrow.
Flowers self-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters large, long, broad,
irregularly tapering, usually single-shouldered, compact. Berries
large, round, black with thin bloom, persistent, firm; skin thick,
tough, adherent, astringent; flesh pale green, very juicy, tough,
stringy and with some foxiness; good. Seeds adherent, few, large,
short, broad, lightly notched if at all, blunt, plump, light
brown.
LADY
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
The vine of Lady is much like that of Concord, its parent, although
not quite so vigorous nor productive, but ripens its fruit fully two
weeks earlier. The fruit is much superior to that of Concord in
quality, being richer, sweeter and less foxy. The grapes hang on the
vines well but deteriorate rapidly after picking. The term,
"ironclad," used by grape-growers to express hardiness and freedom
from disease, is probably as applicable to Lady as to any other of the
Labrusca grapes. The foliage is dense and of a deep glossy green,
neither scalding under a hot sun nor freezing until heavy frosts,
making it an attractive ornament in the garden. Lady is deservedly
popular as a grape for the amateur and should be planted for near-by
markets. It succeeds wherever Concord is grown, and because of its
early ripening is especially adapted to northern latitudes where
Concord does not always mature. Although the fruit ripens early, the
buds start late, often escaping late spring frosts. When Lady was
first heard of, it was in the hands of a Mr. Imlay, Muskingum County,
Ohio. George W. Campbell, Delaware, Ohio, introduced it in 1874.
Vine vigorous, hardy, medium in productiveness, healthy. Canes
short, slender, dark reddish-brown; nodes flattened; internodes
short; tendrils intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves medium in
size; upper surface light green, glossy, rugose; lower surface
pale green, pubescent; lobes one to five with terminal one
acuminate; petiolar sinus shallow, wide; lateral sinus variable in
depth and width; teeth shallow. Flowers self-fertile, open in
mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit early, does not keep well. Clusters small, short, slender,
cylindrical, sometimes single-shouldered, compact; pedicel thick,
smooth; brush slender, long, greenish-white. Berries large, round,
light green, often with a tinge of yellow, glossy with thin bloom,
persistent, firm; skin covered with small, scattering, dark dots,
thin, tender, adherent, astringent; flesh greenish-white,
translucent, juicy, tender, aromatic; very good. Seeds free, few,
broad, light brown.
LADY WASHINGTON
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Lady Washington is in many respects a most excellent grape but falls
short in quality and does not excel in vine characters. The grapes
make a good appearance, keep and ship well and are tender, juicy and
sweet. The vines are luxuriant, hardy, for a grape with Vinifera
blood, and healthy although slightly susceptible to mildew. As an
exhibition grape, few green varieties show better when grown with care
than Lady Washington. In the West and Southwest, the variety is said
to succeed better than any other Concord seedling. 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.
Vine vigorous, productive. Canes long, few, thick, dark brown;
nodes greatly enlarged, variable in shape; internodes long;
tendrils continuous, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick;
upper surface dark green, older leaves strongly rugose, glossy;
lower surface pale green, pubescent; leaf entire with terminal
acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, frequently closed and
overlapping; basal sinus usually wanting; lateral sinus shallow;
teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers self-fertile, open in mid-season;
stamens upright.
Fruit late mid-season, keeps and ships well. Clusters large,
broad, irregularly cylindrical, single-shouldered, frequently
double-shouldered, loose; pedicel short with numerous conspicuous
warts; brush very short, greenish. Berries variable in size,
round-oblate, yellow-amber, glossy with thin bloom, persistent;
skin thin, tender, adherent; flesh pale green, transparent, juicy
and tender, stringy, aromatic, sweet; very good. Seeds free, one
to four, broad, brown.
[Illustration: PLATE XXX.--Winchell (x2/3).]
LENOIR
(Bourquiniana)
_Alabama, Black El Paso, Black July, Black Spanish, Blue French,
Burgundy, Cigar Box Grape, Devereaux, Jack, Jacques, July Sherry,
Longworth's Ohio, MacCandless, Ohio, Springstein, Warren_
Lenoir is a tender southern grape which has been used largely in
France and California as a resistant stock and a direct producer. The
fruit is highly valued for its dark red wine and is very good for
table use. The vine is very resistant to phylloxera and withstands
drouth 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 states in 1829 that its name was given from a man named
Lenoir who cultivated it near Stateburg, South Carolina.
Vine vigorous, thrifty, semi-hardy, productive. Canes numerous,
with some bloom at the nodes; tendrils intermittent. Leaves from
two to seven-lobed, usually five, with characteristic bluish-green
color above and pale green below.
Clusters variable, medium to very large, tapering, usually
shouldered. Berries small, round, dark bluish-purple, nearly black
with lilac bloom; skin thick, tough; flesh juicy, tender, sweet,
very rich in coloring matter.
LIGNAN BLANC
(Vinifera)
_White July, Luglienga, Joannenc_
At Geneva, New York, Lignan Blanc ripens first of all grapes, native
or European. It is not of highest quality but is better than any other
early grape and makes a valuable addition to the home vineyard. It is
a favorite grape in Europe and is rather commonly grown in California.
This variety offers excellent material for hybridization with native
grapes.
Vine vigorous, medium productive; buds open early; opening leaves
light green, glossy, tinged with red along the edges, thinly
pubescent. Leaves medium in size, roundish, somewhat dull green,
slightly rugose; lower surface glabrous; blade thick; lobes
usually five though sometimes three; petiolar sinus medium in
depth, wide; lower lateral sinus medium in depth, narrow; upper
lateral sinus shallow, narrow; margin dentate; teeth long, narrow.
Flowers appear early for a Vinifera; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens the first of September and is a good keeper; clusters
above medium in size, tapering, medium compact; berries medium to
large, oval, yellowish-green, with thin bloom; skin thin, tender,
neutral; flesh greenish-white, firm, juicy, meaty, sweet; quality
good.
LINDLEY
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
By common consent, Lindley (Plate XXII) is the best of the red grapes
originated by Rogers in his crosses between Labrusca and Vinifera. The
bunches are of only medium size and are loose, but the berries are
well-formed, of uniform size and an attractive dark red color. The
flesh is firm, fine-grained, juicy, tender with a peculiarly rich
aromatic flavor. The skin is thick and tough but is not objectionable
in fruit fully ripe. The fruit keeps and ships well, and the berries
neither crack nor shatter. The vine is vigorous, hardy for a Vinifera
hybrid, healthy but, as with most of its kind, susceptible to mildew.
The chief defects of Lindley are self-sterility, precariousness in
bearing and lack of adaptation to many soils. Lindley is a general
favorite in the garden. In 1869 Rogers gave this grape its name in
honor of John Lindley, the English botanist.
Vine vigorous, usually hardy, susceptible to mildew. Canes very
long, dark reddish-brown with thin bloom; nodes enlarged, usually
flattened; internodes long, thick; tendrils continuous, long,
bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick; 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. Flowers
self-sterile, open in mid-season; stamens reflexed.
Fruit mid-season, keeps and ships well. Clusters long, broad,
cylindrical, frequently single-shouldered, the shoulder being
connected to the bunch by a long stem, loose; pedicel short,
slender, smooth; brush short, pale green. Berries large,
round-oval, dark-red with faint bloom; skin tough, adherent,
unpigmented, strongly astringent; flesh pale green, translucent,
juicy, fine-grained, tender, vinous; good to best. Seeds adherent,
two to five, notched, brown.
LUCILE
(Labrusca)
In vigor, health, hardiness and productiveness, Lucile (Plate XXII) is
not surpassed by any native grape. Unfortunately, the fruit characters
are not so desirable. The size, form and color of bunches and berries
are good, making a very attractive fruit, but the grapes have an
obnoxious, foxy taste and odor and are pulpy and seedy. Lucile is
earlier than Concord, the crop ripening with that of Worden or
preceding it a few days. For an early variety, the fruit keeps well
and in spite of thin skin ships well. The vine thrives in all grape
soils. Lucile may be recommended where a hardy grape is desired and
for localities in which the season is short. J. A. Putnam, Fredonia,
New York, grew Lucile. The vine fruited first in 1890. It is a
seedling of Wyoming, which it resembles in fruit and vine and
surpasses in both.
Vine vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes long, light brown;
nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes short; tendrils continuous,
bifid or trifid. Leaves large, firm; upper surface light green,
glossy, smooth; lower surface pale green, pubescent; leaf with
terminus acute; petiolar sinus shallow, narrow, sometimes closed
and overlapping; basal sinus usually absent; lateral sinus a notch
when present; teeth shallow. Flowers self-fertile, open early;
stamens upright.
Fruit early, keeps well. Clusters large, long, slender,
cylindrical, usually single-shouldered, very compact; pedicel
short, thick with few, small, inconspicuous warts; brush light
brown. Berries large, round, dark red with thin bloom, persistent,
firm; skin thin, tender, astringent; flesh pale green,
translucent, juicy, tough, stringy, foxy; fair in quality. Seeds
adherent, one to four, small, broad, short, blunt, dark brown.
LUTIE
(Labrusca)
Lutie (Plate XXIII) is chiefly valuable for its vine characters. The
vines are vigorous, hardy, healthy and fruitful, although scarcely
equaling Lucile in any of these characters. Pomologists differ widely
as to the merits of the fruit, some claiming high quality for it and
others declaring that it is no better than a wild Labrusca. The
difference of opinion is due to a peculiarity of the fruit; if eaten
fresh, the quality, while far from being of the best, is not bad, but
after being picked for several days it develops so much foxiness of
flavor and aroma that it is scarcely edible. Lutie is a seedling found
by L. C. Chisholm, Spring Hill, Tennessee. It was introduced in 1885.
Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes short, slender,
dark reddish-brown; nodes enlarged; internodes short; tendrils
continuous, short, bifid. Leaves medium in size; upper surface
dark green, rugose; lower surface bronze or whitish-green,
pubescent; leaf usually not lobed with terminus acute; petiolar
sinus deep, wide; basal sinus lacking; lateral sinus shallow and
narrow when present; teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers self-fertile,
early; stamens upright.
Fruit early, does not keep well. Clusters medium in size, short,
broad, blunt, cylindrical, usually not shouldered, compact;
pedicel short with small, scattering warts; brush slender, pale
green. Berries large, round, dark red, dull with thin bloom, drop
badly from pedicel, firm; skin tender, adherent, astringent; flesh
pale green, translucent, juicy, tough, foxy; fair in quality.
Seeds adherent, one to four, large, broad, short and blunt, dark
brown.
MALAGA
(Vinifera)
Malaga is one of the favorite table-grapes in California and also a
popular grape to ship to eastern markets. In some parts of southern
California, where the Muscats do not thrive, it is much grown, and in
the San Joaquin Valley it is rather largely used in making raisins. It
requires a long season and probably could not be grown in eastern
regions except in the most favored localities. The description is
compiled.
Vine very vigorous, healthy and productive; wood reddish-brown,
short-jointed. Leaves of medium size, smooth, leathery; light
glossy green above, lighter below; deeply lobed. Bunches very
large, long, loose, shouldered, sometimes scraggly; stem long and
flexible; berries very large, oval, yellowish-green, covered with
light bloom; skin thick; flesh firm, crisp, sweet and rich;
quality good. Season late, keeps and ships well.
McPIKE
(Labrusca)
McPike is noteworthy because of the large size of the berries and
bunches. It is very similar to its parent, Worden, differing in
having fewer but larger berries, grapes not as high in flavor and
fewer and smaller seeds. Because of the thin, tender skin, the berries
crack badly. The grapes shell more or less, and the vines are less
productive than those of Worden. The faults named debar it from
becoming a commercial grape and it is not high enough in quality to
make it of value for the amateur. This variety originated with H. G.
McPike, Alton, Illinois, from seed of Worden planted in 1890.
Vine vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes of medium length,
dull reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes very
short; tendrils continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick;
upper surface light green, dull, rugose; lower surface
grayish-white, heavily pubescent; leaf entire with terminus acute;
petiolar sinus deep; basal and lateral sinuses lacking. Flowers
nearly self-fertile.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters variable in size, broad,
irregularly tapering, usually not shouldered; pedicel long, thick,
smooth; brush long, slender, green with brown tinge. Berries
unusually large, round, purplish-black with heavy bloom, firm;
skin cracks, adherent to pulp, astringent; flesh pale green,
translucent, juicy, tender, stringy, vinous; fair to good. Seeds
adherent, one to four, short, broad, blunt, plump, light brown.
MARION
(Vulpina, Labrusca)
_Black German, Marion Port_
Marion so closely resembles Clinton in botanical and horticultural
characters as to be clearly of the same type. The vine is vigorous and
hardy, but hardly sufficiently productive, and is susceptible to
mildew and leaf-hoppers. The fruit is pleasantly sweet and spicy,
although not high enough in quality for a table-grape, but makes a
very good dark red wine. The fruit colors early but ripens late, hangs
well on the vines and improves with a touch of frost. Marion was
brought to notice by a Mr. Shepherd, Marion, Ohio, about 1850.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes very long, dark
reddish-brown, covered with bloom; nodes enlarged, flattened;
internodes very long; tendrils continuous, sometimes intermittent,
long, bifid. Leaves very large; upper surface dark green, glossy;
lower surface pale green, smooth; leaf entire, terminus acuminate;
petiolar sinus very deep, narrow, often closed and overlapping;
basal and lateral sinuses usually lacking; teeth shallow, wide.
Flowers self-sterile, open very early; stamens reflexed.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters medium in size, short,
slender, cylindrical, single-shouldered, compact; pedicel short,
slender with a few inconspicuous warts; brush very short,
wine-colored. Berries small, round, black, glossy with heavy
bloom, persistent, firm; skin thin, tough, adherent with much
wine-colored pigment, astringent; flesh dark green, translucent,
juicy, fine-grained, tough, sprightly, spicy, tart; fair in
quality. Seeds adherent, one to five, medium in size, broad,
short, very plump, brown.
MARTHA
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Martha was at one time a popular green grape, but the introduction of
superior varieties has reduced its popularity until now it is but
little grown. It is a seedling of Concord and resembles its parent,
differing chiefly as follows: fruit green, a week earlier, bunch and
berry smaller, flavor far better, being sweeter, more delicate and
less foxy. The vine of Martha is a lighter shade of green, is less
robust, and the blossoms open a few days earlier than those of
Concord. 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. The
variety is still being planted in the South but is generally abandoned
in the North. Samuel Miller, Calmdale, Pennsylvania, grew Martha from
seed of Concord; it was introduced about 1868.
Vine hardy, productive, susceptible to attacks of mildew. Canes
long, dark reddish-brown, surface with thin bloom, roughened;
nodes enlarged, slightly flattened; tendrils continuous, or
intermittent, bifid. Leaves large, thick; upper surface light
green; lower surface light bronze, heavily pubescent; lobes
wanting or faint; petiolar sinus shallow, very wide; teeth
irregular. Flowers self-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens
upright.
Fruit early mid-season. Clusters medium in size, tapering,
single-shouldered, loose; pedicel short, slender; brush very
short, green. Berries medium in size, round, light green with thin
bloom, persistent; skin thin, very tender, adherent; flesh pale
green, juicy, tough, fine-grained, slightly foxy; very good. Seeds
few in number, adherent, broad, blunt, dark brown.
MASSASOIT
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Massasoit is distinguished as the earliest of Rogers' hybrids,
ripening with Delaware. The grapes have the peculiarity of being best
before full maturity, developing, after ripening, a degree of foxiness
which impairs the quality. In shape and size of berry and bunch, there
is a striking resemblance to Isabella, but the color is that of
Catawba. The texture of the fruit is especially good, firm but tender
and juicy, while the flavor is rich and sweet. The vine is vigorous,
hardy and productive but subject to mildew and rot. Massasoit is worth
a place in the home vineyard and as an early grape of fine quality for
local markets.
Vine very vigorous, hardy, very productive, subject to rot and
mildew. Canes long, thick, dark brown with reddish tinge; nodes
enlarged, flattened; tendrils continuous, long, trifid or bifid.
Leaves variable in size; upper surface light green, dull, smooth;
lower surface pale green, pubescent; lobes three to five with
terminus acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow; basal sinus shallow,
narrow, obscure; teeth shallow. Flowers self-sterile, open late;
stamens reflexed.
Fruit early, keeps well. Clusters variable in size, broad,
cylindrical, frequently single-shouldered; pedicel slender with a
few indistinct warts; brush pale green. Berries large, round-oval,
dark brownish-red, dull with thin bloom, very persistent, firm;
skin thin, tender, adherent, astringent; flesh pale green,
translucent, juicy, fine-grained, soft, stringy, foxy; good to
very good. Seeds adherent, one to five, large, broad, distinctly
notched, plump, blunt.
MAXATAWNEY
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
While at one time very popular, grape-growers now seldom hear of
Maxatawney. It is a southern grape, ripening its fruit in the North
only occasionally. The variety is interesting historically as being
the first good green grape and as showing unmistakable Vinifera
characters, another example of the fortuitous hybridization which gave
so many valuable varieties before artificial hybridization of Vinifera
with native grapes had been tried. In 1843, a man living in
Eagleville, Pennsylvania, received several bunches of grapes from
Maxatawney. The seeds of these grapes were planted and one grew, the
resulting plant being the original vine of Maxatawney.
Vine vigorous, doubtfully hardy, variable in productiveness. Canes
medium in length, slender, reddish; nodes enlarged, flattened;
internodes short; tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves large, dark
green, thick; lower surface grayish-white with tinge of bronze,
heavily pubescent; lobes three to five; petiolar sinus narrow;
teeth shallow. Flowers self-sterile, open in mid-season; stamens
upright.
Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters small to medium, short, slender,
cylindrical, occasionally with a small, single shoulder, compact;
pedicel long, slender, warty; brush long, yellow. Berries variable
in size, oval, pale red or dull green with amber tinge, with thin
bloom, persistent; skin tough, astringent; flesh tender, foxy;
good to very good. Seeds free, few, large, very broad, blunt.
MEMORY
(Rotundifolia)
Memory is one of the best of the Rotundifolia grapes for the garden
and local markets, its fruits being especially good for dessert. As
yet, however, the variety has not been widely distributed even in
North Carolina where it originated. The vine is given credit for being
the most vigorous grower and the most productive of the grapes of its
species. Memory is probably a seedling of Thomas, which it much
resembles, having been found in a vineyard of Thomas grapes near
Whiteville, North Carolina, by T. S. Memory, about 1868.
Vine very vigorous, healthy, productive. Leaves large, longer than
broad, thick, smooth with coarsely serrate margins. Flowers
perfect.
Fruit ripens in September in North Carolina; clusters large, with
from four to twelve berries which hang unusually well for a
variety of V. Rotundifolia. Berries very large, round-oblong, deep
brownish-black, almost jet black; skin thick; flesh tender, juicy,
sweet; good to best.
MERRIMAC
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Merrimac is often accredited as the best black grape among Rogers'
hybrids, but an analysis of the characters of the several black
varieties grown by Rogers shows that it is surpassed by Wilder,
Herbert and possibly Barry. The vine is strong in growth, productive,
hardy and exempt from fungal diseases; but the grapes are not high in
quality, and flesh, skin and seed characters are such that the fruit
is not as pleasant to eat as the other black varieties named. Merrimac
is worthy a place in collections for the sake of variety. Rogers gave
this variety the name Merrimac in 1869.
Vine vigorous, usually hardy, productive. Canes slender, dark
brown, surface roughened; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes
short; tendrils intermittent, short, bifid. Leaves large, thin;
upper surface very light green, glossy, smooth; lower surface pale
green, pubescent and cobwebby; lobes three with terminal one
obtuse; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, sometimes closed and
overlapping; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus shallow,
narrow; teeth shallow. Flowers self-sterile, open in mid-season;
stamens reflexed.
Fruit mid-season, keeps and ships well. Clusters variable in size,
broad, tapering; pedicel slender, covered with numerous
inconspicuous warts; brush wine-colored. Berries large, round,
black, glossy with abundant bloom, persistent, firm; skin thick,
tough, adherent, astringent; flesh light green, translucent,
juicy, fine-grained, tender, stringy; good. Seeds adherent, one to
five, broad, long, with enlarged neck, brown.
MILLS
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
The bunches and berries of Mills are large and well-formed; the
berries are firm and solid, with the skin adherent as in Viniferas;
the flesh is juicy and parts readily from the seeds; the flavor is
rich, sweet and vinous; and the grapes are hardly surpassed in keeping
quality. But when the fruit characters of Mills have been praised,
nothing further can be said in its favor. The vines are neither
vigorous, hardy nor fruitful and are very subject to mildew; neither
wood nor roots ripen well in the North in average seasons; and the
variety is a most difficult one for nurserymen to grow. Mills is of
doubtful commercial value, but for the garden it is possible that the
grower may be able to graft it to advantage on some variety with
better vine characters. William H. Mills, Hamilton, Ontario, grew
Mills about 1870 from seed of Muscat Hamburg fertilized by Creveling.
Vine medium in vigor, hardiness and productiveness. Canes long,
thick, light brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; tendrils
intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick; upper surface
dark green, dull, rugose; lower surface pale green, cobwebby;
lobes three to five with terminus acute; petiolar sinus
intermediate in depth and width; basal and lateral sinuses deep
and wide; teeth deep. Flowers self-fertile, open in mid-season;
stamens upright.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters large, long, slender,
cylindrical, often double-shouldered, compact; pedicel slender
with numerous, small warts; brush long, wine-colored. Berries
large, oval, jet-black with abundant bloom, persistent, firm; skin
thick, tough, adherent; flesh light green, translucent, juicy,
rich, tender, sprightly, vinous, sweet; very good to best. Seeds
free, one to three, large, brown.
MISH
(Rotundifolia)
Mish is a favorite Rotundifolia in North Carolina, being planted
extensively in some parts of that state. Its outstanding characters
are vigor and productiveness in vine and high quality in the fruit.
Mish is named by many as the best all-round Rotundifolia, being of
value for dessert, wine and grape-juice. The variety was found by W.
M. Mish, about 1846, near Washington, North Carolina.
Vine very vigorous, productive, healthy, open in growth; canes
somewhat trailing. Leaves large, round, thick, smooth, leathery
with coarsely dentate margin. Flowers perfect.
Fruit late, does not ripen uniformly, keeps and ships well.
Clusters of medium size with from six to fifteen berries which
cling well to the pedicel. Berries of medium size, round-oval,
deep reddish-black with numerous conspicuous dots; skin thin,
cracking in wet weather; flesh tender, juicy, sweet, exceptionally
well flavored; very good to best.
MISSION
(Vinifera)
Of all grapes, Mission has probably played the most important part in
the vineyards of California. Grown from the earliest times at the old
missions, its source or its name has never been determined. Its
viticultural value for table and wine-press was early appreciated by
California grape-growers, and its culture rapidly spread to every
county in the state adapted to grape-growing. With vines vigorous,
healthy and productive, bearing grapes of delicious quality, Mission
is a mainstay on the Pacific slope, surpassed by few vineyard
varieties for general usefulness. The description is compiled.
Vine vigorous, healthy, productive; wood short-jointed,
grayish-brown, dull, dark. Leaf medium to large, slightly oblong,
with large, deeply-cut compound teeth; basal sinus widely opened,
primary sinuses narrow and shallow; smooth on both sides with
scattered tomentum below, bright green above, lighter below. Bunch
divided into many small, distinct lateral clusters, shouldered,
loose, sometimes very loose; berries of medium size, purple or
almost black with heavy bloom; skin thin; flesh firm, crisp,
juicy, sweet, rich and delicious. Seeds rather large and
prominent; season late.
MISSOURI RIESLING
(Vulpina, Labrusca)
Missouri Riesling attains perfection only in the South. The vines are
hardy, vigorous, productive and healthy in the North, as a rule, but
the fruit is lacking in quality. In the South, Missouri Riesling is a
beautiful fruit when well grown and has many good qualities of fruit
and vine. It originated with Nicholas Grein, Hermann, Missouri, about
1870, probably from seed of Taylor.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes very long, numerous,
thick, dark brown; nodes enlarged; internodes long; tendrils
continuous, long, trifid or bifid. Leaves large, thick; upper
surface dark green, glossy, smooth; lower surface pale green,
thinly pubescent; lobes five with terminal one acuminate; petiolar
sinus deep, narrow; basal sinus shallow, wide; lateral sinus deep,
wide; teeth deep, wide. Flowers self-fertile, open in mid-season;
stamens upright.
Fruit late, does not keep nor ship well. Clusters short,
cylindrical, single-shouldered; pedicel long with few small warts;
brush green. Berries of medium size, round, yellowish-green
changing to light red with thin bloom, persistent, firm; skin
sprinkled with small brown dots, thin, tough, adherent,
astringent; flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, tender,
fine-grained, lacking in aroma, mild; fair in quality. Seeds
adherent, one to four, surface rough, dark brown.
MONTEFIORE
(Vulpina, Labrusca)
Montefiore is extensively grown in Missouri and the Southwest but is
almost unknown in the North and East. It is reported as succeeding in
the Lake District of Ohio and, with the exception that it is uncertain
in bearing and not always productive, it grows well in sections of New
York. While it 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 commonly cultivated. It keeps and ships well
and presents an attractive appearance. Jacob Rommel, Morrison,
Missouri, grew this variety about 1875 from seed of Taylor fertilized
by Ives.
Vine vigorous and hardy. Canes long, thick, dark brown with thin
bloom; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes long; tendrils
continuous, long, bifid. Leaves thick; upper surface light green,
dull, smooth; lower surface grayish-white, pubescent; lobes three
when present with terminus acute; petiolar sinus wide; basal sinus
lacking; lateral sinus shallow when present; teeth deep. Flowers
semi-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters small, short, tapering,
single-shouldered, the shoulder being connected to the bunch by a
long stem, compact; pedicel short, slender, smooth; brush red.
Berries small, oval, often compressed, black, glossy with abundant
bloom, persistent, firm; skin thin, tough, adherent, astringent;
flesh green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, melting,
vinous, sweet; fair to good. Seeds free, one to five, small,
broad, faintly notched, short, plump, brown.
MOORE EARLY
(Labrusca)
Moore Early (Plate XXIV) is the standard grape of its season. Its
fruit cannot be described better than as an early Concord. The vines
are readily distinguishable from those of Concord, differing chiefly
in being less productive. To grow the variety satisfactorily, the soil
must be rich, well-drained and loose, must be frequently cultivated,
and the vines should be pruned severely. The bunches of Moore Early
are not as large as those of Concord and are less compact; the berries
shell rather more easily, and the skin cracks more readily. The flesh
characters and the flavor are essentially those of Concord, although
the quality is not as high as in the older variety. The quality is,
however, much higher than that of Champion and Hartford, its chief
competitors, 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 sort.
Captain John B. Moore, Concord, Massachusetts, originated this
variety from seed of Concord, planted about 1868.
Vine vigorous, hardy, unproductive. Canes short, dark
reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes short;
tendrils continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick; upper
surface dark green, dull; lower surface tinged with bronze,
heavily pubescent; leaf usually not lobed, terminus acute;
petiolar sinus wide; basal sinus lacking; lateral sinus a notch
when present; teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers fertile, open in
mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit early, does not keep well. Clusters medium in size, length,
and breadth, cylindrical, sometimes single-shouldered, loose;
pedicel short, thick, smooth; brush short, pale green. Berries
large, round, purplish-black, firm; skin tender, adherent; flesh
green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tough with slight
foxiness; fair to good. Seeds one to four, large, broad, plump,
blunt, brown with yellow tinge at tips.
MOSCATELLO
(Vinifera)
_Moscatello Nero. Black Muscat_
Beautiful in appearance and having a delicate Muscat taste and aroma,
this variety is one of the good table-grapes of the Pacific slope.
Unfortunately it ripens so late that it is hardly worth trying in the
East. The variety has the reputation of being very productive. The
description is compiled.
Vine vigorous, healthy, very productive. Leaves of medium size,
with deep upper and shallow lower sinuses; glabrous above,
slightly downy below, very hairy on the veins, with long, sharp
teeth. Bunch large to very large, long, loose, conico-cylindrical,
winged; berries very large, borne on long slender pedicels, dark
purple, almost black; skin thin but tough; flesh rather soft,
juicy; flavor sweet, rich, aromatic, musky; quality very good.
Season late, does not keep well.
MOYER
(Labrusca, Bourquiniana)
_Jordan, Moyer's Early Red_
Moyer is almost a counterpart of its parent, Delaware. Were it not
that the variety is from one to two weeks earlier than Delaware, and
somewhat hardier, hence better adapted for cold regions, it could have
no place in viticulture. Compared with Delaware, the vine is hardly as
vigorous and is less productive, but is freer from rot and mildew. The
bunches are much like those of Delaware but have the fault of setting
fruit imperfectly even when cross-pollination is assured; the berries
are a little larger, of much the same color and of like flavor, rich,
sweet, with pure vinousness and without a trace of foxiness. The fruit
keeps well, ships well and does not crack nor shell. Moyer is well
established in Canada, proving perfectly hardy wherever Concord is
grown, possibly standing even more cold. W. H. Read, Port Dalhousie,
Ontario, raised the original vine of Moyer, about 1880, from seed of
Delaware fertilized by Miller's Burgundy.
Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, unproductive. Canes numerous,
slender, dull, dark reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, flattened;
internodes short; tendrils continuous, long, bifid or trifid.
Leaves small; upper surface dark green, dull, smooth; lower
surface pale green or with faint blue tinge, heavily pubescent;
lobes two to five with terminus acute; petiolar sinus shallow;
basal sinus shallow when present; lateral sinus shallow, narrow;
teeth very shallow, narrow. Flowers self-sterile, open early;
stamens reflexed.
Fruit early, keeps well but loses color if kept too long. Clusters
small, short, slender, tapering, sometimes single-shouldered;
pedicel short with small warts; brush yellowish-green. Berries
small, oblate, dark red with faint bloom, persistent, firm; skin
tough, free, astringent; flesh translucent, juicy, tender,
fine-grained, vinous; good to very good. Seeds free, one to four,
broad, short, very blunt, brown with yellow tinge at tips.
MUSCATEL
(Vinifera)
_White Frontignan_
This old and standard sort is rather commonly grown in some of the
grape regions of California to follow Chasselas Golden. It might be
tried with some show of success in favored grape regions in the East.
The description is compiled.
Vine of medium size, vigorous, healthy; canes strong, spreading,
reddish-brown with short internodes. Leaves of medium size, thin,
five-lobed; glabrous except on the lower sides of the well-marked
ribs where a few hairs show. Bunches long, cylindrical, regular,
compact; berries round, golden-yellow becoming amber; flavor
sweet, rich, aromatic, peculiar; quality very good. Season late
mid-season, keeps and ships well.
[Illustration: PLATE XXXI.--Worden (x2/3).]
MUSCAT HAMBURG
(Vinifera)
Muscat Hamburg (Plate XXV) is an old European grape well known in some
parts of America in greenhouse graperies, since it is one of the best
for forcing. All who know the beautiful fruits of this variety grown
in forcing-houses will want to test it out of doors, where at the
Geneva, New York, Experiment Station, they have done well, many
clusters attaining a weight of a pound and a half to two pounds. The
accompanying plate, the fruit much less than half natural size, shows
what a fine grape Muscat Hamburg is. One is struck with wondering
admiration at a vine laden with these grapes growing alongside
Concord, Niagara or Delaware. The quality is delectable, the
quintessence of the flavors and aromas which make the grape a favorite
fruit. The grapes keep long and retain their form, size, color and
rich, delicate flavor almost to the end. This variety is a treasure to
the amateur; and the professional who wants another grape for local
markets should try grafting over a few vines of some native to this
sort, following the directions given in Chapter X in caring for the
vines.
Vines vigorous, tender, need protection during the winter; canes
long, numerous, slender to medium, light brown, darker at the
nodes which are enlarged and flattened. Leaves medium to large,
intermediate in thickness; upper surface light green, dull; lower
surface pale green, faintly pubescent, densely hairy.
Fruit ripens in October, ships and keeps well; clusters very
large, long, broad, tapering, single or double-shouldered. Berries
large, firm, oval, very dark purplish-red, covered with lilac
bloom, very persistent; skin thick, adheres strongly to the pulp;
flesh pale green, translucent, meaty, very juicy, tender, vinous,
musky, sweet, rich; very good to best; seeds separating easily
from the pulp, large.
MUSCAT OF ALEXANDRIA
This is possibly the leading table- and raisin-grape of the Pacific
slope. From the literature or from a visit to vineyards, one cannot
make out whether one or several varieties are grown under the name.
Probably there are several strains grown under the distinctive name
"Muscat" which applies to these sweet, light yellow, musky grapes.
This is one of the standard sorts to force indoors but requires too
long a season for out of doors in the East. The following description
is compiled:
Vine short, straggling, bushy, sometimes forming a bush rather
than a vine, very productive; wood gray with dark spots,
short-jointed. Leaf round, five-lobed; bright green above, lighter
green below. Bunches long and loose, shouldered; berry oblong,
light yellow and transparent when fully mature, covered with white
bloom; flesh firm, crisp; flavor sweet and very musky; quality
good. Season late, the laterals producing a second and sometimes
even a third crop.
NIAGARA
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Niagara (Plate XXVI) is the leading American green grape, holding the
rank among grapes of this color that Concord maintains among black
varieties. It is, however, a less valuable grape than Concord, and it
is doubtful whether it should be ranked much higher than several other
green grapes. In vigor and productiveness, when the two grapes are on
equal footing as to adaptability, Niagara and Concord rank the same.
In hardiness of root and vine, Niagara falls short of Concord; it
cannot be relied on without winter protection where the thermometer
falls below zero. Niagara has much of the foxiness of the wild
Labrusca, distasteful to many palates. Both bunches and berries of
Niagara are larger than those of Concord and are better formed, making
a handsomer fruit if the colors are liked equally well. The fruit
shells as badly as that of Concord and does not keep longer. Both vine
and fruit of Niagara are more susceptible to fungal diseases than
those of Concord, especially to black-rot, which proves a veritable
scourge with this variety in unfavorable seasons. Niagara was produced
by C. L. Hoag and B. W. Clark, Lockport, New York, from seed of
Concord fertilized by Cassady planted in 1868.
Vine vigorous, lacking in hardiness, very productive. Canes long,
thick, reddish-brown deepening in color at the nodes which are
enlarged and slightly flattened; internodes long, thick; tendrils
continuous, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick; upper
surface glossy, dark green, smooth; lower surface pale green,
pubescent; lobes three to five with terminus acute; petiolar sinus
of medium depth and width; basal sinus shallow, wide, often
toothed; lateral sinus wide, frequently toothed; teeth shallow,
variable in width. Flowers self-fertile, open in mid-season;
stamens upright.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters large, long, broad,
tapering, frequently single-shouldered, compact; pedicel thick
with a few, small, inconspicuous warts; brush pale green, long.
Berries large, oval, pale yellowish-green with thin bloom,
persistent, firm; skin thin, tender, adherent, astringent; flesh
light green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, foxy; good.
Seeds free, one to six, deeply notched, brown.
NOAH
(Vulpina, Labrusca)
Noah is little grown at present outside of Missouri, where it is still
planted somewhat. Noah and Elvira are often confused but there are
very marked differences. The clusters of Elvira are smaller, the
berries are more foxy in taste, and the skins are more tender and
crack more readily than do those of Noah. The large, dark, glossy
green leaves make the vines of this variety very handsome. As with
Elvira and other varieties of this group, Noah is of little value in
the North. It originated with Otto Wasserzieher, Nauvoo, Illinois,
from seed of Taylor planted in 1869.
Vine vigorous, doubtfully hardy, productive. Canes long, thick,
dark brown, surface roughened; nodes enlarged, flattened; tendrils
continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves large; upper surface dark
green, glossy, smooth; lower surface pale green, thinly pubescent;
leaf usually not lobed with terminus acuminate; petiolar sinus
deep, wide; basal sinus lacking; lateral sinus very shallow when
present; teeth shallow, wide. Flowers semi-fertile, open early;
stamens upright.
Fruit late mid-season, does not ship nor keep well. Clusters
variable in size, cylindrical, single-shouldered, compact; pedicel
short with a few small warts; brush short, brown. Berries small,
round, light green tinged with yellow, dull with thin bloom, firm;
skin adherent to pulp; flesh yellowish-green, translucent, juicy,
tough, fine-grained, vinous, sprightly; good. Seeds adherent, one
to four, dark brown.
NORTHERN MUSCADINE
(Labrusca)
That this variety, together with Lucile, Lutie and other grapes with
the foxy taste strongly marked, has not become popular, in spite of
good vine characters, is evidence that the American public do not
desire such grapes. In appearance of fruit, Northern Muscadine is much
like Lutie, the two being distinguished from other grapes by an
unmistakable odor. A serious defect of the fruit is that the berries
shatter badly as soon as they reach maturity. Taken as a whole, the
vine characters of this variety are very good and offer possibilities
for the grape-breeder. The variety originated at New Lebanon, New
York, and was brought to notice by D. J. Hawkins and Philemon Stewart
of the Society of Shakers about 1852.
Vine vigorous, productive, healthy, hardy. Canes slender, dark
brown, heavily pubescent; tendrils continuous, bifid, dehisce
early. Leaves large, round, thick; upper surface dull, rugose;
lower surface dark bronze, heavily pubescent. Flowers
self-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit early mid-season, does not keep well. Clusters medium in
size, short, occasionally single-shouldered, compact. Berries
large, oval, dark amber with thin bloom, drop badly from the
pedicel; skin tough, adherent, astringent; flesh pale green,
juicy, fine-grained, tender, soft, very foxy, sweet; poor in
quality. Seeds free, numerous, large, broad, faintly notched,
long, brown.
NORTON
(AEstivalis, Labrusca)
Norton is one of the leading wine-grapes in eastern America, the fruit
having small value for any other purpose than wine or, possibly,
grape-juice. The vine is hardy but requires a long, warm season to
reach maturity so that it is seldom grown successfully north of the
Potomac. Norton thrives in rich alluvial clays, gravels or sands, the
only requisite seemingly being a fair amount of fertility and soil
warmth. The vines are robust; very productive, especially on fertile
soils; as free, or more so, from fungal diseases as any other of our
native grapes; and are very resistant to phylloxera. The bunches are
of but medium size and the berries are small. The grapes are pleasant
eating when fully ripe, rich, spicy and pure-flavored but tart if not
quite ripe. The variety is difficult to propagate from cuttings and to
transplant, and the vines do not bear grafts well. The origin of
Norton is uncertain, but it has been under cultivation since before
1830, when it was first described.
Vine very vigorous, healthy, half-hardy, productive. Canes long,
thick, dark brown with abundant bloom; nodes much enlarged;
internodes long; tendrils intermittent, occasionally continuous,
long, bifid, sometimes trifid. Leaves large, irregularly round;
upper surface pale green, dull, rugose; lower surface pale green,
pubescent; leaf usually not lobed with terminus acute; petiolar
sinus deep, narrow, sometimes closed and overlapping; basal sinus
usually absent; lateral sinus shallow or a mere notch when
present. Flowers self-fertile, late; stamens upright.
Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters medium in size, short, broad,
tapering, single-shouldered, compact; pedicel slender with a few
warts; brush dull, wine-colored. Berries small, round-oblate,
black, glossy with heavy bloom, persistent, soft; skin thin, free
with much dark red pigment; flesh green, translucent, juicy,
tender, spicy, tart. Seeds free, two to six, small, brown.
OPORTO
(Vulpina, Labrusca)
Oporto was at one time in demand as a wine grape because its wine
resembled in color and flavor that from Oporto. The variety is now
scarcely known, being inferior in most of its horticultural characters
to others of its species, but might be valuable in breeding for some
of its characters. The vine is very hardy, unusually free from fungal
diseases, is very resistant to phylloxera and has been used in France
as a phylloxera-resistant grafting-stock. The juice is very thick and
dark, a deep purple, hence suitable for adding color to wine or
grape-juice. The origin of Oporto is unknown. It was brought into
cultivation about 1860 by E. W. Sylvester, Lyons, New York.
Vine very vigorous, hardy, healthy, variable in productiveness.
Canes long, reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes
long, diaphragm thin; tendrils continuous, bifid. Stamens
reflexed.
Fruit mid-season, ships and keeps well. Clusters small,
cylindrical, often single-shouldered. Berries medium in size,
round, black, glossy with abundant bloom, persistent, firm; skin
very thin, tender, with much dark wine-colored pigment; flesh
white, sometimes with purple tinge, juicy, fine-grained, solid,
sweet, spicy; fair quality. Seeds free, numerous, small, broad,
faintly notched, sharply pointed, plump, dark brown.
OTHELLO
(Vinifera, Vulpina, Labrusca)
_Arnold's Hybrid, Canadian Hamburg, Canadian Hybrid_
In France, Othello does remarkably well as a direct producer and is
used also for a resistant stock. While most of its characters are
spoken of in the superlative by the French, in America the variety is
not so highly esteemed because of susceptibility to fungi. Moreover,
the fruit matures so late that it could never become a valuable
variety for the North. It is in no sense a table-grape but makes a
well-colored, pleasant wine. Charles Arnold, Paris, Ontario, grew
Othello from seed of Clinton fertilized by Black Hamburg and planted
in 1859.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, brown; nodes
enlarged, flattened; tendrils continuous, sometimes intermittent,
bifid or trifid. Leaves of average size; upper surface light
green, dull and smooth; lower surface pale green, pubescent; lobes
three to five with terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus deep, very
narrow, frequently closed and overlapping; basal sinus shallow,
narrow; lateral sinus deep; teeth deep, wide; stamens upright.
Fruit late, keeps fairly well. Clusters large, long, broad,
tapering, frequently with a loose single shoulder, compact;
pedicel long, slender with numerous small warts; brush short,
wine-colored. Berries large, oval, black, glossy with abundant
bloom, very persistent; skin thin, tough, adherent with red
pigment; flesh dark green, very juicy, fine-grained, tough,
sprightly; low in quality. Seeds free, one to three, neck
sometimes swollen, brown.
OZARK
(AEstivalis, Labrusca)
Ozark belongs to the South and to Missouri in particular. Its merits
and demerits have been threshed out by the Missouri grape-growers with
the result that its culture is somewhat increasing. It is a grape of
low quality, partly, perhaps, from over-bearing, which it habitually
does unless the fruit is thinned. The vine is healthy and a very
strong grower, but is self-sterile, which is against it as a market
sort. In spite of self-sterility and low quality, Ozark is a promising
variety for the country south of Pennsylvania. Ozark originated with
J. Stayman, Leavenworth, Kansas, from seed of unknown source. The
variety was introduced about 1890.
Vine very vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, thick with thin
bloom, surface roughened; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes
long; tendrils intermittent, usually bifid. Leaves dense, large;
upper surface light green; lower surface pale green, thinly
pubescent, cobwebby; lobes three to five; petiolar sinus deep,
narrow; serrations shallow, narrow. Flowers self-sterile or nearly
so, open late; stamens reflexed.
Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters large, long, usually with a long,
loose shoulder, very compact; pedicel short, thick, smooth; brush
long, red. Berries variable in size, dull black with abundant
bloom, persistent; skin tough with much wine-colored pigment;
flesh tender, mild; fair in quality. Seeds free, small.
PALOMINO
(Vinifera)
_Golden Chasselas, Listan_
This variety seems to be grown in California under the three names
given--while in France Palomino is described as a bluish-black grape.
Palomino seems to be grown commonly in California as a table-grape and
is worth trying in eastern America. The variety received under the
name Palomino from California at the New York Experiment Station has
the following characters, agreeing closely with those set down by
Californian viticulturists:
Fruit ripens about the 20th of October, keeping qualities good;
clusters medium to large, long, single-shouldered, tapering,
loose; berries medium to small, roundish, pale greenish-yellow,
thin bloom; skin and the adhering flesh medium tender and crisp,
flesh surrounding seeds melting; flavor sweet, vinous; quality
good.
PEABODY
(Vulpina, Labrusca, Vinifera)
Peabody is as yet a comparatively unimportant offspring of Clinton.
The grapes are of excellent quality. It appears to do better in the
northern tier of states or in Canada, than farther south. This
variety was grown by J. H. Ricketts about 1870.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, numerous, thick,
light brown with ash-gray tinge, darker at nodes, covered with
thin bloom; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes short; tendrils
intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves medium in size; upper
surface dark green, thin; lower surface pale green, nearly
glabrous; lobes three, acuminate; petiolar sinus shallow, wide;
serration deep, narrow. Flowers semi-fertile, mid-season; stamens
upright.
Fruit early, keeps well. Clusters large, long, usually with a
shoulder connected to the bunch by a long stem, compact; pedicel
short, slender, warty; brush short, green. Berries oval, black,
glossy, covered with thin bloom, persistent; skin thick, tough;
flesh very juicy, tender, vinous, spicy, agreeably sweet at the
skin, tart at the center; good. Seeds free, broad.
PERFECTION
(Labrusca, Bourquiniana, Vinifera)
Perfection is a seedling of Delaware, which it greatly resembles but
does not equal in fruit; its fruits being hardly as high in quality,
do not keep as well, shrivel more before ripening, and shell more
readily. In its vine characters, it is much more like a Labrusca than
Delaware, suggesting that it is a Delaware cross. In the Southwest,
Perfection is considered a valuable early red grape. J. Stayman,
Leavenworth, Kansas, grew Perfection from seed of Delaware; it was
sent out for testing about 1890.
Vine vigorous, healthy, injured in severe winters, productive.
Canes of medium length and number, slender; nodes enlarged,
flattened; internodes short; tendrils intermittent, trifid or
bifid. Leaves healthy, medium in size; upper surface light green;
lower surface grayish-white with a tinge of bronze, heavily
pubescent; lobes wanting or three to five; petiolar sinus shallow,
wide; serration shallow. Flowers self-fertile or nearly so, open
in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit early. Clusters usually single-shouldered, compact; pedicel
short, slender, smooth; brush short, yellow. Berries small, round,
red but less brilliant than Delaware with faint bloom, inclined to
drop from pedicel, soft; skin thin, free from astringency; flesh
medium in juiciness and tenderness, vinous, mild, sweet; good in
quality. Seeds adherent, numerous, small, often with an enlarged
neck.
PERKINS
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
At one time Perkins was grown largely as an early grape but has been
discarded very generally on account of the poor quality of the fruit.
The pulp of the grape is hard and the flavor is that of Wyoming and
Northern Muscadine, grapes characterized by disagreeable foxiness. As
with nearly all Labruscas, Perkins is a poor keeper. Notwithstanding
the faults of its fruit, the variety may have value in regions where
grape-growing is precarious; for in fruiting it is one of the most
reliable grapes cultivated, the vines being hardy, vigorous,
productive and free from fungal diseases. Perkins is an accidental
seedling found about 1830 in the garden of Jacob Perkins, Bridgewater,
Massachusetts.
Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes long, numerous,
thick, dark brown, deepening in color at the nodes, surface
heavily pubescent; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes long;
tendrils continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves medium in size,
thick; upper surface rugose; lower surface heavily pubescent;
veins distinct; lobes three; petiolar sinus deep, narrow;
serration shallow. Flowers self-fertile, early; stamens upright.
Fruit early, ships well. Clusters of medium size and length,
broad, cylindrical, often with a single shoulder, compact; pedicel
short, thick, warty; brush long, yellow. Berries large, oval, pale
lilac or light red with thin bloom, inclined to drop from the
pedicel, soft; skin thin, tough, without pigment; flesh white,
juicy, stringy, fine-grained, firm, meaty, very foxy; poor in
quality. Seeds adherent, numerous, medium in size, notched.
POCKLINGTON
(Labrusca)
Before the advent of Niagara, Pocklington (Plate XXII) was the leading
green grape. The variety has the fatal fault, however, of ripening
its crop late, which with some minor defects has caused it to fall
below Niagara for northern grape districts. Pocklington is a seedling
of Concord and resembles its parent in vine characters; the vines are
fully equal to or surpass those of Concord in hardiness, but are of
slower growth and not quite as healthy, vigorous nor productive. In
quality, the grapes are as good if not better than those of Concord or
Niagara, being sweet, rich and pleasantly flavored, although as with
the other grapes named, it has too much foxiness for critical
consumers. Pocklington is not equal to several other grapes of its
season in quality, as Iona, Jefferson, Diana, Dutchess and Catawba,
but it is far above the average and for this reason should be
retained. John Pocklington, Sandy Hill, New York, grew Pocklington
from seed of Concord about 1870.
Vine medium in vigor, hardy. Canes of medium length, number and
size, dark reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; tendrils
continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves variable in size, thick; upper
surface light green, glossy; lower surface tinged with bronze,
pubescent; lobes one to three with terminus acuminate; petiolar
sinus deep, wide; teeth narrow. Flowers self-fertile, mid-season;
stamens upright.
Fruit late mid-season, keeps and ships well. Clusters large,
cylindrical, often single-shouldered, compact; pedicel short,
thick with a few small warts; brush short, green. Berries large,
oblate, yellowish-green with tinge of amber, with thin bloom,
firm; skin with scattering russet dots, thin, tender, adherent,
faintly astringent; flesh light green with yellow tinge,
translucent, juicy, tough, fine-grained, slightly foxy; good.
Seeds adherent, one to six, of medium length and breadth.
POUGHKEEPSIE
(Bourquiniana, Labrusca, Vinifera)
Poughkeepsie has been known long on the Hudson River, yet it is now
little grown there and has not been disseminated widely elsewhere. In
quality of fruit, it is equal to the best American varieties, but the
vine characters are all poor and the variety is thus effectually
debarred from common cultivation. Both vine and fruit resemble those
of Delaware, but in neither does it quite equal the latter. In
particular, the vine is more easily winter-killed and is less
productive than that of Delaware. The grapes ripen a little earlier
than those of the last named sort and this, with their beauty and fine
quality, is sufficient to recommend it for the garden at least. About
1865, A. J. Caywood, Marlboro, New York, grew Poughkeepsie from seed
of Iona fertilized by mixed pollen of Delaware and Walter.
Vine of medium vigor. Canes short, thick, dark reddish-brown;
tendrils intermittent, frequently three in line, bifid or trifid.
Leaves small; upper surface green, glossy, older leaves rugose;
lower surface grayish-green, pubescent. Flowers self-fertile,
late; stamens upright.
Fruit early, keeps and ships well. Clusters small, tapering,
usually single-shouldered, very compact. Berries small, round,
pale red with thin bloom, persistent, firm; skin thin, tender,
without pigment; flesh pale green, very juicy, tender, melting,
fine-grained, vinous, sweet; very good to best. Seeds free, small,
broad, with enlarged neck, brown.
PRENTISS
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Prentiss is a green grape of high quality, once well known and
generally recommended, but now going out of cultivation because the
vine is tender to cold, lacks in vigor, is unproductive, uncertain in
bearing and is subject to rot and mildew. There are vineyards in which
it does very well and in such it is a remarkably attractive green
grape, especially in form of cluster and in color of berry, in these
respects resembling the one-time favorite, Rebecca, although not so
high in quality as that variety. Its season is given as both before
and after Concord. Prentiss always must remain a variety for the
amateur and for special localities. It originated with J. W. Prentiss,
Pulteney, New York, about 1870 from seed of Isabella.
Vine weak. Canes thick, light to dark brown; tendrils continuous,
bifid. Leaves small, thick; upper surface light green, rugose in
the older leaves; lower surface pale green, pubescent. Flowers
self-fertile, mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit variable in season, about with Concord, keeps well. Cluster
medium in size, tapering, sometimes with a single shoulder,
compact. Berries medium in size, oval, light green with a yellow
tinge, thin bloom, persistent, firm; skin tough, without pigment;
flesh pale green, juicy, foxy; good. Seeds adherent, numerous,
notched, short, sharp-pointed, dark brown.
PURPLE CORNICHON
(Vinifera)
_Black Cornichon_
By virtue of attractive appearance and excellent shipping qualities of
the fruit, this variety takes high place among the commercial grapes
of California. Late ripening is another quality making it desirable,
while its curious, long, curved berries add novelty to its
attractions. The fruit does not take high rank in quality. The
description has been compiled.
Vine very vigorous, healthy and productive; wood light brown
striped with darker brown, short-jointed. Leaves large, longer
than wide, deeply five-lobed; dark green above, lighter and very
hairy below; coarsely toothed; with short, thick petiole. Bunches
very large, loose or sometimes scraggly, borne on long peduncles;
berries large, long, more or less curved, dark purple, spotted,
thick-skinned, borne on long pedicels; flesh firm, crisp, sweet
but not rich in flavor; quality good but not high. Season late,
keeps and ships well.
REBECCA
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
In the middle of the last century, when grape-growing was in the hands
of the connoisseurs, Rebecca was one of the sterling green varieties.
It is wholly unsuited for commercial vineyards and for years has been
disappearing gradually from cultivation. The fruit is exceptionally
fine, consisting of well-formed bunches and berries, the latter
handsome yellowish-white and semi-transparent. In quality, the grapes
are of the best, with a rich, sweet flavor and pleasing aroma. But the
vine characters condemn Rebecca for any but the amateur. The vines
lack in hardiness and vigor, are susceptible to mildew and other fungi
and are productive only under the best conditions. The original vine
was an accidental seedling found in the garden of E. M. Peake, Hudson,
New York, and bore its first fruit in 1852.
Vine weak, sometimes vigorous, doubtfully hardy. Canes long,
numerous, slender, dull brown, deepening in color at the nodes;
tendrils continuous or intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves
variable in size; upper surface dark green, dull, rugose; lower
surface grayish-green, pubescent. Flowers self-fertile; stamens
upright.
Fruit late mid-season, ships and keeps well. Clusters small,
short, cylindrical, rarely with a small, single shoulder, compact.
Berries of medium size, oval, green with yellow tinge verging on
amber, thin gray bloom, persistent, firm; skin thin, without
pigment; flesh pale green, very juicy, tender, melting, vinous, a
little foxy, sweet; good to very good. Seeds free, short, narrow,
blunt, brown.
RED EAGLE
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Red Eagle is a pure-bred seedling of Black Eagle which it resembles in
all characters except color of fruit. Vine and fruit exhibit the
characters found in Rogers' hybrids. It takes high rank as a grape of
quality and can be recommended for the garden. The variety originated
with T. V. Munson, Denison, Texas, and was sent out in 1888.
Vine medium in vigor and hardiness, productive. Canes few,
slender, dark brown with heavy bloom; nodes prominent, flattened;
tendrils continuous or intermittent, long, bifid. Leaves thick;
upper surface light green, dull, rugose; lower surface
grayish-green, pubescent; lobes three to five with terminus
obtuse; petiolar sinus deep, narrow, sometimes closed and
overlapping; basal sinus wide; lateral sinus deep, wide; teeth
deep, wide. Flowers semi-fertile, late; stamens upright.
Fruit early mid-season, keeps well. Clusters small, broad,
tapering, single-shouldered, sometimes double-shouldered, loose
with many abortive berries; pedicel very long, slender; brush
green with brown tinge. Berries variable in size, round, light to
very dark red with heavy bloom, persistent, soft; skin thick,
tender, adherent with some red pigment; flesh green, transparent,
juicy, very tender, melting, slightly foxy, tart; very good. Seeds
free, one to five, large, long, blunt, light brown.
REGAL
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Regal is an offspring of Lindley, which it greatly resembles. The
fruit is attractive in appearance and high in quality. A seemingly
insignificant fault might make Regal undesirable in a commercial
vineyard; the clusters are borne so close to the wood that it is
difficult to harvest the fruit and avoid injury to the berries next to
the wood. The variety is worthy of extensive culture in vineyards and
gardens. Regal originated with W. A. Woodward, Rockford, Illinois, in
1879.
Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, very productive. Canes intermediate
in length and size, numerous, dark reddish-brown. Tendrils
intermittent, bifid or trifid. Leaves large; upper surface green,
glossy and rugose; lower surface pale green with a bronze tinge,
strongly pubescent. Flowers self-fertile, mid-season; stamens
upright.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters small, broad, cylindrical,
usually with a short single shoulder, sometimes double-shouldered,
very compact. Berries large, round, purplish-red with faint bloom,
persistent. Skin thin, tough, without pigment. Flesh pale green,
very juicy, fine-grained, tender, musky; good. Seeds free,
numerous, long, narrow, notched, blunt with a short neck, brown.
REQUA
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
This is one of Rogers' hybrids which equals other grapes of its color
and season. The grapes are attractive in cluster and berry and are of
very good quality but are subject to rot and ripen too late for
northern regions. The variety was named Requa in 1869, it having been
previously known as No. 28.
Vine vigorous, hardy except in severe winters, medium in
productiveness. Canes long, thick; tendrils continuous or
intermittent, trifid or bifid. Leaves medium in size, dark green,
often thick and rugose; lower surface grayish-green, pubescent.
Flowers semi-fertile, late; stamens reflexed.
Fruit late, keeps long. Clusters large, cylindrical, often with a
long, single shoulder, compact. Berries large, oval, dark, dull
red covered with thin bloom, strongly adherent; skin thin, tough,
adherent; flesh pale green, tender, stringy, vinous, foxy, sweet;
good to very good. Seeds adherent, medium in size and length,
broad, blunt.
ROCHESTER
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
The fruit of Rochester is a large-clustered red grape, handsome and
very good in quality. The vine is a strong grower, productive and free
from diseases. The variety is difficult to propagate and, therefore,
not in favor with nurserymen. The grapes are sweet, rich and vinous
but should be used as soon as ripe, as they do not keep well and the
berries quickly shatter from the bunch. As an attractive early red
grape, Rochester is worth a place in the garden and in favored
locations for a special market. Ellwanger and Barry, Rochester, New
York, in 1867 grew Rochester from mixed seed of Delaware, Diana,
Concord and Rebecca.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, dark reddish-brown;
nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes short; tendrils
intermittent, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves large; upper surface
light green, glossy, smooth; lower surface grayish-green,
pubescent; lobes one to three with terminus acute; petiolar sinus
deep; basal sinus absent; lateral sinus shallow; teeth shallow.
Flowers fertile, mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit does not keep well. Clusters large, broad, tapering, usually
single-shouldered, compact; pedicel short, slender with few warts;
brush slender, yellowish-brown. Berries medium, oval,
purplish-red, dull with thin, lilac bloom, drop from the
pedicel, soft; skin thick, tough, inclined to crack, free, without
pigment, astringent; flesh pale green, transparent, juicy, tender,
fine-grained, vinous, sweet; good to very good. Seeds free, one to
three, large, short, broad, dark brown.
[Illustration: PLATE XXXII.--Wyoming (x2/3).]
ROMMEL
(Labrusca, Vulpina, Vinifera)
Rommel is rarely cultivated in the North, because the vines lack in
robustness, hardiness and productiveness and are susceptible to the
leaf-hopper; and the grapes do not attain high quality and crack as
they ripen. The bunch and berry are attractive in form, size and
color. At its best, Rommel is a good table-grape and makes a fine
white wine. It is worth growing in the South. T. V. Munson, Denison,
Texas, originated Rommel in 1885, from seed of Elvira pollinated by
Triumph, and introduced it in 1889.
Vine vigorous in the South. Canes long, numerous, thick,
reddish-brown, surface roughened; nodes enlarged, often flattened;
internodes short; tendrils intermittent, long, bifid or trifid.
Leaves medium in size, round, thick; upper surface light green,
dull, rugose; lower surface pale green, free from pubescence but
slightly hairy; leaf not lobed, terminus acute to acuminate;
petiolar sinus deep, narrow, often closed and overlapping; basal
sinus lacking; lateral sinus shallow when present; teeth deep.
Flowers semi-fertile, late; stamens upright.
Fruit mid-season, ships and keeps well. Clusters medium to short,
broad, cylindrical, single-shouldered, compact; pedicel slender,
smooth; brush short, pale green. Berries large, roundish, light
green with a yellow tinge, glossy, persistent, firm; skin thin,
cracks badly, tender, adherent, without pigment or astringency;
flesh greenish, translucent, juicy, tender, melting, stringy,
sweet; fair to good. Seeds free, one to four, broad,
sharp-pointed, plump, brown.
ROSAKI
(Vinifera)
Rosaki is a table-and raisin-grape of southeastern Europe and Asia
Minor. According to some of the California nursery companies, it is
grown in that state under the name Dattier de Beyrouth, although it
would seem from French descriptions that there is a separate, very
late variety of the latter name. Rosaki is similar to Malaga and there
is a possibility that in some of the warmer parts of the East, it may
be grown commercially as a substitute for the latter. The variety
seems to be little grown on the Pacific slope.
Vines vigorous, usually very productive. Leaves large, roundish,
rugose, usually five-lobed; terminal lobe acuminate; petiolar
sinus moderately deep to deep, medium broad; lower lateral sinus
shallow, broad, occasionally lacking; upper lateral sinus shallow
to medium, broad; margins broadly and bluntly dentate. Fruit
ripens the third week in October, keeping qualities excellent;
clusters large, loose, tapering, shouldered; berries large to very
large, oval to long-oval, pale yellow-green; flesh translucent,
tender, meaty, vinous, sprightly; quality good to very good.
ROSE OF PERU
(Vinifera)
Rose of Peru is a favorite table-grape in California, confused with
and possibly the same as Black Prince. Its chief commendable
characters are handsome appearance and high quality of fruit and very
productive vines. It is not adapted for shipping and does not enter
plentifully into commerce. Its season is so late that the variety is
hardly worth trying in the East, and yet it has matured in favorable
seasons at Geneva, New York. The following description is compiled:
Vine vigorous, healthy, productive; wood short-jointed, dark
brown. Leaves of medium size; deep green above, lighter green and
tomentose below. Bunches very large, shouldered, very loose, often
scraggly; berry large, round, black with firm, crackling flesh;
skin rather thin and tender; flavor sweet and rich; quality very
good to best. Season late, keeping rather well but not shipping
well.
SALEM
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
_Rogers' No. 22, Rogers' No. 53_
Salem (Plate XXVII) is the one of Rogers' hybrids of which the
originator is said to have thought most, and to which he gave the name
of his place of residence. The two chief faults, unproductiveness and
susceptibility to mildew, are not found in all localities, and in
these districts, near good markets, Salem ought to rank high as a
commercial fruit. The vine is hardy, vigorous and productive and bears
handsome fruit of high quality. This variety was christened Salem by
Rogers in 1867, two years earlier than his other hybrids were named.
Vine vigorous, hardy, variable in productiveness. Canes long, dark
brown; nodes enlarged; tendrils continuous or intermittent, long,
bifid or trifid. Leaves variable in size; upper surface dark
green, dull; lower surface pale green with slight bronze tinge,
pubescent; lobes one to three with terminus acute; petiolar sinus
deep, narrow, often overlapping; basal sinus lacking; lateral
sinus shallow, narrow, notched. Flowers sterile, mid-season;
stamens reflexed.
Fruit early, keeps and ships well. Clusters large, short, broad,
tapering, heavily shouldered, compact; pedicel short, thick with
small warts, enlarged at point of attachment to berry; brush
short, pale green. Berries large, round, dark red, dull,
persistent, soft; skin thick, adherent, without pigment,
astringent; flesh translucent, juicy, tender, stringy,
fine-grained, vinous, sprightly; good to very good. Seeds one to
six, large, long and broad, blunt, brown.
SCUPPERNONG
(Rotundifolia)
_American Muscadine, Bull, Bullace, Bullet, Fox Grape, Green
Scuppernong, Green Muscadine, Hickman, Muscadine, Roanoke_
Scuppernong is preeminently the grape of the South, the chief
representative of the great species, _V. rotundifolia_, which runs
riot in natural luxuriance from Delaware and Maryland to the Gulf and
westward from the Atlantic to Arkansas and Texas. Scuppernong vines
are found on arbors, in gardens, or half wild, on trees and fences on
nearly every farm in the South Atlantic states. As a rule, these vines
receive little cultivation, are unpruned and are given no care of any
kind; but even under neglect they produce large crops. The vines are
almost immune to mildew, rot, phylloxera, or other fungal or insect
pests; they give not only an abundance of fruit but on arbors and
trellises are much prized for their shade and beauty. The fruit, to a
palate accustomed to other grapes, is not very acceptable, having a
musky flavor and a somewhat repugnant odor, which, however, with
familiarity becomes quite agreeable. The pulp is sweet and juicy but
is lacking in sprightliness. The grapes are not suitable for the
market since the berries drop from the bunch in ripening and become
more or less smeared with juice so that their appearance is not
appetizing.
Vine vigorous, not hardy in the North, very productive. Canes
long, numerous, slender, ash-gray to grayish-brown; surface
smooth, thickly covered with small, light brown dots; tendrils
intermittent, simple. Leaves small, thin; upper surface light
green, smooth; lower surface very pale green, pubescent along the
ribs; veins inconspicuous. Flowers very late; stamens reflexed.
Fruit late, ripens unevenly, berries drop as they mature. Clusters
small, round, unshouldered, loose. Berries few in a cluster,
large, round, dull green, often with brown tinge, firm; skin
thick, tough with many small russet dots; flesh pale green, juicy,
tender, soft, fine-grained, foxy, sweet to agreeably tart; fair to
good. Seeds adherent, large, short, broad, unnotched, blunt,
plump, surface smooth, brown.
SECRETARY
(Vinifera, Vulpina, Labrusca)