1.Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1892-3:48.2.Rural N. Y.,52:829. 1893.fig.3.Ib.,53:666. 1894.4.Bush. Cat.,1894:98.fig.(Frontispiece).5.Rural N. Y.,55:419, 658. 1896.fig.6.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1897:11, 48.7.Rural N. Y.,57:182, 642. 1898.8.Ib.,58:546, 786. 1899.9.Mich. Sta. Sp. Bul.,27:9. 1904.Campbell(9).
1.Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1892-3:48.2.Rural N. Y.,52:829. 1893.fig.3.Ib.,53:666. 1894.4.Bush. Cat.,1894:98.fig.(Frontispiece).5.Rural N. Y.,55:419, 658. 1896.fig.6.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1897:11, 48.7.Rural N. Y.,57:182, 642. 1898.8.Ib.,58:546, 786. 1899.9.Mich. Sta. Sp. Bul.,27:9. 1904.
Campbell(9).
Probably no American grape has ever been more favorably received than Campbell Early, or after introduction has been disseminated more rapidly. The fact that it came from a grape-breeder who had already given viticulture several valuable varieties, with the statement that this was the result of years of experimenting and the greatest triumph of a life devoted to improving grapes, gave warrant for the enthusiasm with which it was received. Nor did first impressions belie the oft-made statement that Campbell Early represented a phenomenal advancement in grape culture. Bunch, berry and vine seemed to indicate that this was the best black American grape under cultivation. Nearly two decades have passed since Campbell Early was introduced, and though admitted by all to be a good grape, yet it has hardly met the expectations of the grape-growers who from almost every state and territory welcomed the newcomer.
CAMPBELL EARLYCAMPBELL EARLY
The preeminently meritorious qualities of Campbell Early are: Highquality when mature; freedom from foxiness and from acidity about the seeds; small seeds which easily part from the flesh; earliness of maturity, ripening nearly a fortnight before Concord; large size and attractive appearance of bunch and berry (the color-plate does not do the Campbell Early justice as to size of berry and bunch); comparative hardiness of the vine; and good shipping and keeping qualities. Campbell Early falls short chiefly in not being adapted to as many soils and conditions as are some of the varieties with which it must compete and in all but localities well adapted to it the variety lacks productiveness. In other words it is somewhat lacking in that elasticity of constitution so characteristic of Concord. Its reputation for quality has suffered, and to the detriment of the variety, because it attains its full color before it is ripe and is therefore often marketed in an unripe condition. The fruit is quite variable in size as grown under different conditions and somewhat so as grown in the same vineyard, ranging in size of bunch from very large to small, differing somewhat in shape and with some compact and with some loose clusters. The color of the berry is not as attractive as that of Concord as it has less of the waxy bloom which makes the last named sort so handsome.
But the weaknesses attributed to Campbell Early do not wholly explain why so good a variety has seemingly failed to meet expectations. Can it be that the fault is with the American grape-grower more than with the grape? American growers are not yet willing to give varieties of grapes the particular care that each may need for its best development, but seemingly prefer to grow those sorts which are cosmopolitan as to environment and which will thrive under a general treatment. It cannot be that the consumers of this fruit care for less than a dozen of the several hundred American grapes; or that under the varied conditions of half a continent over which grow a score of species of wild grapes but a meager half dozen varieties can be grown for commercial purposes. If our grape-growers were willing to give the Campbell Early, and a score of other sorts of superior merit, the special care that European vineyardists give the hundreds of varieties they successfully grow, our viticulture would not long remain confined to the culture of a few grapes of mediocre quality.
The name commemorates the services to viticulture of the originatorof the variety, Geo. W. Campbell[170]of Delaware, Ohio, who devoted a long and active life to the improvement of the grape. The variety is a seedling of Moore Early pollinated by another production of Campbell’s, which was a seedling of Belvidere pollinated by Muscat Hamburg. Campbell Early bore for the first time in 1892, and was soon after introduced by George S. Josselyn of Fredonia, New York. It is now known and grown throughout the grape regions of eastern America.
Vine vigorous to medium, hardy, productive to very productive. Canes of average length and number, somewhat thick, dark reddish-brown, surface often roughened with small warts; nodes intermediate in size, flattened; internodes medium to short; diaphragm of mean thickness; pith of average size; shoots pubescent; tendrils intermittent, rather short, trifid to bifid.Leaf-buds intermediate in size, inclined to long, slender to medium, pointed to conical, open early. Young leaves heavily tinged on lower surface and along margin of upper surface with bright carmine. Leaves medium to large, thick to medium; upper surface green, slightly glossy, intermediate in smoothness; lower surface bronze to pale green, heavily pubescent; veins distinct; lobes often three in number but usually entire, terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus rather shallow, medium to wide; basal sinus usually pubescent; lateral sinus varying from medium wide to a mere notch, frequently dentate; teeth shallow to medium, narrow. Flowers fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.Fruit variable in season, extending through a long period, becomes marketable somewhat earlier than Worden, keeps and ships unusually well. Clusters variable in size ranging from very large to medium, rather long and broad, tapering to cylindrical, frequently single-shouldered, usually two bunches per shoot, compact to slightly loose; peduncle short to medium, thick; pedicel below average in length and thickness, covered with small numerous warts; brush long, light wine color. Berries somewhat variable in size, usually large, roundish to slightly oval, dark purplish-black, rather dullas the season advances, covered with heavy blue bloom, persistent, moderately firm. Skin medium to thin, tough, does not crack, adheres slightly to the pulp, contains a small amount of dark red pigment, somewhat astringent. Flesh greenish, translucent, juicy, varying from rather tough to nearly soft, slightly coarse, not foxy, somewhat vinous, nearly sweet from skin to center, quality good and improves by hanging on the vines, superior to Concord. Seeds separate readily from the flesh, one to four, average three, of medium size and length, rather broad, light brown, often with yellowish tips; raphe obscure; chalaza intermediate in size, slightly above center, oval, obscure.
Vine vigorous to medium, hardy, productive to very productive. Canes of average length and number, somewhat thick, dark reddish-brown, surface often roughened with small warts; nodes intermediate in size, flattened; internodes medium to short; diaphragm of mean thickness; pith of average size; shoots pubescent; tendrils intermittent, rather short, trifid to bifid.
Leaf-buds intermediate in size, inclined to long, slender to medium, pointed to conical, open early. Young leaves heavily tinged on lower surface and along margin of upper surface with bright carmine. Leaves medium to large, thick to medium; upper surface green, slightly glossy, intermediate in smoothness; lower surface bronze to pale green, heavily pubescent; veins distinct; lobes often three in number but usually entire, terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus rather shallow, medium to wide; basal sinus usually pubescent; lateral sinus varying from medium wide to a mere notch, frequently dentate; teeth shallow to medium, narrow. Flowers fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit variable in season, extending through a long period, becomes marketable somewhat earlier than Worden, keeps and ships unusually well. Clusters variable in size ranging from very large to medium, rather long and broad, tapering to cylindrical, frequently single-shouldered, usually two bunches per shoot, compact to slightly loose; peduncle short to medium, thick; pedicel below average in length and thickness, covered with small numerous warts; brush long, light wine color. Berries somewhat variable in size, usually large, roundish to slightly oval, dark purplish-black, rather dullas the season advances, covered with heavy blue bloom, persistent, moderately firm. Skin medium to thin, tough, does not crack, adheres slightly to the pulp, contains a small amount of dark red pigment, somewhat astringent. Flesh greenish, translucent, juicy, varying from rather tough to nearly soft, slightly coarse, not foxy, somewhat vinous, nearly sweet from skin to center, quality good and improves by hanging on the vines, superior to Concord. Seeds separate readily from the flesh, one to four, average three, of medium size and length, rather broad, light brown, often with yellowish tips; raphe obscure; chalaza intermediate in size, slightly above center, oval, obscure.
1.Horticulturist,22:363, 365. 1867.fig.2.Rec. of Hort.,1868:44.3.Downing,1869:533.4.Bush. Cat.,1883:79.fig.5.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,10:494. 1891.6.Ib.,17:527, 548, 554, 559. 1898.7.Traité gen. de vit.,5:182. 1903.Arnold’s No. 16(1, 2, 5).Arnold’s No. 18(3, 4, 7).
1.Horticulturist,22:363, 365. 1867.fig.2.Rec. of Hort.,1868:44.3.Downing,1869:533.4.Bush. Cat.,1883:79.fig.5.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,10:494. 1891.6.Ib.,17:527, 548, 554, 559. 1898.7.Traité gen. de vit.,5:182. 1903.
Arnold’s No. 16(1, 2, 5).Arnold’s No. 18(3, 4, 7).
Canada is justly considered the most desirable of Arnold’s several hybrids of Riparia and Vinifera and is well known in Europe as well as in America. In France when American varieties were being largely used in the reconstruction of the vineyards destroyed by phylloxera, Canada was one of the prime favorites, because of its short period for fruit development and maturity and the comparatively high quality of the wine which could be made from it. In America it has never gained great popularity on account of its susceptibility to fungal diseases. In this respect as in some others, it shows Vinifera more than Riparia parentage; thus in shape, color and texture of foliage, in the flavor of the fruit, and in the seeds there are decided indications of Vinifera while the vine, especially in the slenderness of the shoots, and the bunch and berry, shows Riparia. If, as is surmised, there is some Labrusca in Clinton, the Riparia parent of Canada, there are no discernible traces of the first named species in this variety. Canada and Brant, its full brother, are often confused with each other but there are numerous minor differences in buds, foliage, canes, in the shape of the bunch, in the seeds and in the time of ripening which a reading of the descriptions of the two varieties will reveal. Canada has little value as a dessert fruit but makes a very good red wine, having, according to the French, a most agreeable bouquet, but in America it is surpassed by other wine grapes in so many characters that it can probably never attain a place in this country for other than breeding purposes.
The grape to which Arnold[171]gave the name Canada is a seedling of Clinton, a Labrusca-Riparia hybrid, fertilized by Black St. Peters, a variety ofVitis vinifera. Arnold planted the seed which produced Canada and its brother Brant about 1860. During the decade that followed the variety was sent out asArnold No. 16, but as it became more widely distributed the name was changed to Canada.
Vine medium to very vigorous, hardy, not always healthy, usually productive. Canes long, numerous, variable in size but averaging slender, nearly ash-gray at internodes to reddish-brown at nodes, covered with a slight blue bloom; nodes enlarged, not flattened; internodes above medium to short; diaphragm of average thickness, rather large; shoots strongly pubescent; tendrils intermittent, nearly short, trifid to bifid.Leaf-buds intermediate in size, short, of average thickness, conical to obtuse, open rather late. Young leaves pale green with faintest trace of carmine, prevailing color green on upper and lower sides. Leaves intermediate in size, medium to thin; upper surface light green, nearly smooth; lower surface pale green, hairy; veins obscure; lobes five in number, often obscure, terminal lobe acute to acuminate; petiolar sinus deep, medium to narrow; basal sinus variable in depth and width; lateral sinus usually deep and narrow when well defined; teeth deep, wide. Flowers occasionally on plan of six, somewhat fertile to partly sterile, open moderately early; stamens upright.Fruit ripens in mid-season or later, keeps fairly well. Clusters intermediate in size, long to medium, rather slender, uniform, often strongly cylindrical, sometimes single-shouldered, very compact; peduncle short, slender; pedicel long, slender, nearly smooth; brush short, light brown. Berries not uniform, average medium to small, roundish when not compressed by compactness of cluster, attractive purplish-black to black, glossy, covered with heavy dark blue bloom, persistent, firm. Skin thin, does not crack, rather tough, adheres but slightly to the pulp, contains a slight amount of pigment, not astringent. Flesh rather dark green, very juicy, fine-grained, somewhat tender when fully ripe, spicy, pleasant vinous flavor, nearly sweet to agreeably tart, ranking medium to above in quality. Seeds separate readily from pulp, one to three, average two, intermediate in size and breadth, of average length, blunt, light brown; raphe completely obscure; chalaza intermediate in size, slightly above center, oval, distinct, somewhat obscure.
Vine medium to very vigorous, hardy, not always healthy, usually productive. Canes long, numerous, variable in size but averaging slender, nearly ash-gray at internodes to reddish-brown at nodes, covered with a slight blue bloom; nodes enlarged, not flattened; internodes above medium to short; diaphragm of average thickness, rather large; shoots strongly pubescent; tendrils intermittent, nearly short, trifid to bifid.
Leaf-buds intermediate in size, short, of average thickness, conical to obtuse, open rather late. Young leaves pale green with faintest trace of carmine, prevailing color green on upper and lower sides. Leaves intermediate in size, medium to thin; upper surface light green, nearly smooth; lower surface pale green, hairy; veins obscure; lobes five in number, often obscure, terminal lobe acute to acuminate; petiolar sinus deep, medium to narrow; basal sinus variable in depth and width; lateral sinus usually deep and narrow when well defined; teeth deep, wide. Flowers occasionally on plan of six, somewhat fertile to partly sterile, open moderately early; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens in mid-season or later, keeps fairly well. Clusters intermediate in size, long to medium, rather slender, uniform, often strongly cylindrical, sometimes single-shouldered, very compact; peduncle short, slender; pedicel long, slender, nearly smooth; brush short, light brown. Berries not uniform, average medium to small, roundish when not compressed by compactness of cluster, attractive purplish-black to black, glossy, covered with heavy dark blue bloom, persistent, firm. Skin thin, does not crack, rather tough, adheres but slightly to the pulp, contains a slight amount of pigment, not astringent. Flesh rather dark green, very juicy, fine-grained, somewhat tender when fully ripe, spicy, pleasant vinous flavor, nearly sweet to agreeably tart, ranking medium to above in quality. Seeds separate readily from pulp, one to three, average two, intermediate in size and breadth, of average length, blunt, light brown; raphe completely obscure; chalaza intermediate in size, slightly above center, oval, distinct, somewhat obscure.
CANADACANADA
Canandaigua has not been generally distributed and would not be mentioned here were it not for its exceptional keeping qualities. To test the keeping qualities of grapes in common storage, 265 varieties were put in the fruit house at this Station in the fall of 1907. The test ended April 16, 1908, when it was found that Canandaigua was in the best condition of all varieties. Its quality is very good at picking time but seems, if anything, to improve in storage, and it was as good at the end of the test as at the beginning. Its vine characters are those of Labrusca-Vinifera hybrids and such, as the variety grows on the Station grounds, as make it the equal of the average cultivated hybrid of these two species. The characters of the fruit, too, show plainly an admixture of Vinifera and Labrusca so combined as to make the grapes very similar to the best of such hybrids. The variety is quite worthy of trial.
Canandaigua is a chance seedling found by E. L. Van Wormer of Canandaigua, New York, growing among wild grapes. Its high quality and handsome appearance attracted his attention and the vine was put under cultivation, after which its long-keeping qualities were discovered. Vines were sent to this Station for testing in 1897. All of its characters indicate that it is a hybrid between Labrusca and Vinifera.
Vine vigorous, doubtfully hardy, medium to productive. Tendrils semi-continuous to semi-intermittent, bifid, dehisce early. Leaves large to medium, thin. Flowers sterile or sometimes partly fertile, open in mid-season; stamens reflexed. Fruit ripens after mid-season, keeps unusually well. Clusters variable in size, usually heavily single-shouldered, loose to medium. Berries large to medium, slightly oval to roundish, black, covered with a fair amount of blue bloom, persistent. Flesh firm, sweet and rich, good in quality, improving as the season advances. Seeds often long, with enlarged neck; raphe shows as a partially obscured cord in a medium deep groove; chalaza above center, distinctly pear-shaped.
Vine vigorous, doubtfully hardy, medium to productive. Tendrils semi-continuous to semi-intermittent, bifid, dehisce early. Leaves large to medium, thin. Flowers sterile or sometimes partly fertile, open in mid-season; stamens reflexed. Fruit ripens after mid-season, keeps unusually well. Clusters variable in size, usually heavily single-shouldered, loose to medium. Berries large to medium, slightly oval to roundish, black, covered with a fair amount of blue bloom, persistent. Flesh firm, sweet and rich, good in quality, improving as the season advances. Seeds often long, with enlarged neck; raphe shows as a partially obscured cord in a medium deep groove; chalaza above center, distinctly pear-shaped.
1.Rural N. Y.,60:637. 1901.2.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1904:306.3.Munson Cat.,1906-7:16.
1.Rural N. Y.,60:637. 1901.2.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1904:306.3.Munson Cat.,1906-7:16.
Captain has not made a good showing in the Station vineyard and we have no reports of it from other parts of the State. The clusters are largeand long but very loose and unattractive in appearance, and the fruit ranks low in quality. We are forced to conclude, judging from the several seasons the variety has fruited on these grounds, that it is of little value in New York. The breeding of Captain is such that it could hardly be expected to thrive in this latitude.
Captain was produced by T. V. Munson from seed of America fertilized with R. W. Munson.
Vine vigorous, hardy, moderately productive. Canes long to medium, numerous, covered with rather thick blue bloom; tendrils intermittent, bifid and trifid. Leaves very large to medium, thick, not pubescent but very hairy along ribs. Flowers semi-fertile, open rather late; stamens upright. Fruit ripens later than Concord, does not keep long although it ships well. Clusters large to above medium, long, slender, sometimes double-shouldered, very loose. Berries very large to below medium, inclined to roundish, black, covered with heavy blue bloom, persistent. Skin contains a large amount of purplish-red pigment. Flesh medium juicy, coarse, tender, lacks character, tart from skin to center, fair in quality. Seeds numerous, separate easily from the pulp.
Vine vigorous, hardy, moderately productive. Canes long to medium, numerous, covered with rather thick blue bloom; tendrils intermittent, bifid and trifid. Leaves very large to medium, thick, not pubescent but very hairy along ribs. Flowers semi-fertile, open rather late; stamens upright. Fruit ripens later than Concord, does not keep long although it ships well. Clusters large to above medium, long, slender, sometimes double-shouldered, very loose. Berries very large to below medium, inclined to roundish, black, covered with heavy blue bloom, persistent. Skin contains a large amount of purplish-red pigment. Flesh medium juicy, coarse, tender, lacks character, tart from skin to center, fair in quality. Seeds numerous, separate easily from the pulp.
1.Gar. Mon.,28:304. 1886.2.Rural N. Y.,50:221,fig., 643, 690. 1891.3.Ib.,51:147, 607, 774. 1892.fig.4.Husmann,1895:127.5.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1897:20.6.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:548, 554. 1898.7.Tex. Sta. Bul.,48:1149, 1154. 1898.fig.8.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:38, 43, 45, 49. 1899.9.Rural N. Y.,59:674, 690, 752, 770, 802, 819. 1900.10.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:41, 51, 52, 54. 1901.
1.Gar. Mon.,28:304. 1886.2.Rural N. Y.,50:221,fig., 643, 690. 1891.3.Ib.,51:147, 607, 774. 1892.fig.4.Husmann,1895:127.5.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1897:20.6.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:548, 554. 1898.7.Tex. Sta. Bul.,48:1149, 1154. 1898.fig.8.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:38, 43, 45, 49. 1899.9.Rural N. Y.,59:674, 690, 752, 770, 802, 819. 1900.10.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:41, 51, 52, 54. 1901.
The Carman is another grape having the characters of three species—Vitis lincecumii,V. labruscaandV. vinifera—and hence of interest to grape improvers at least. In the twenty-three years it has been known in New York it has not become popular with grape-growers chiefly because it ripens too late for this region and when ripe does not attain the high quality ascribed to it elsewhere. Its most valuable character is that of long keeping, whether while hanging on the vine or after harvesting.
CARMANCARMAN
T. V. Munson of Denison, Texas, raised Carman from seed of a wild Post-oak grape taken from the woods, pollinated with mixed pollen of Triumph and Herbemont. It was introduced in 1892 and placed on the American Pomological Society fruit catalog list in 1897. The variety wasnamed in honor of E. S. Carman, for many years editor of theRural New Yorker, and a plant-breeder of note.
Vine very vigorous to medium, hardy, lacking in productiveness. Canes long, numerous, thick, brown to reddish-brown; nodes but slightly enlarged, flattened; internodes long to medium; diaphragm somewhat thick; pith above medium size; shoots very pubescent; tendrils intermittent, long, trifid.Leaf-buds rather large, nearly short, thick, conical to obtuse, open rather late. Young leaves slightly tinged with rose on upper and lower sides. Leaves in good condition until injured by frost, large, thick; upper surface light to dark green, somewhat glossy, older leaves rugose; lower surface pale green, pubescent; veins indistinct; terminal lobe acute to obtuse; petiolar sinus deep to narrow; basal sinus often absent or shallow; lateral sinus medium to shallow when present; teeth intermediate in depth and width. Flowers on plan of five or six, fertile or nearly so, open very late; stamens upright.Fruit ripens just before Catawba, an excellent keeper. Clusters variable in size, of average length and breadth, tapering to cylindrical, frequently single-shouldered, usually compact; peduncle above medium length and thickness; pedicel short, slender, smooth with very slight swelling at point of attachment to berry; brush short, slender, wine-colored. Berries inferior in size, roundish to slightly oblate, dark purplish-black to black, glossy, covered with a fair amount of blue bloom, persistent, firm. Skin rather thin, tough, nearly free from pulp, contains little or no pigment, not astringent. Flesh yellowish-green, not juicy, somewhat tender when fully ripe, has some Post-oak flavor, vinous, spicy, sweetish at skin to tart next the seeds, good to very good. Seeds separate easily from pulp, one to four, average two or three, small, of mean length and breadth, blunt, brownish; raphe sometimes cord-like; chalaza intermediate in size, slightly above center, oval to pear-shaped, distinct.
Vine very vigorous to medium, hardy, lacking in productiveness. Canes long, numerous, thick, brown to reddish-brown; nodes but slightly enlarged, flattened; internodes long to medium; diaphragm somewhat thick; pith above medium size; shoots very pubescent; tendrils intermittent, long, trifid.
Leaf-buds rather large, nearly short, thick, conical to obtuse, open rather late. Young leaves slightly tinged with rose on upper and lower sides. Leaves in good condition until injured by frost, large, thick; upper surface light to dark green, somewhat glossy, older leaves rugose; lower surface pale green, pubescent; veins indistinct; terminal lobe acute to obtuse; petiolar sinus deep to narrow; basal sinus often absent or shallow; lateral sinus medium to shallow when present; teeth intermediate in depth and width. Flowers on plan of five or six, fertile or nearly so, open very late; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens just before Catawba, an excellent keeper. Clusters variable in size, of average length and breadth, tapering to cylindrical, frequently single-shouldered, usually compact; peduncle above medium length and thickness; pedicel short, slender, smooth with very slight swelling at point of attachment to berry; brush short, slender, wine-colored. Berries inferior in size, roundish to slightly oblate, dark purplish-black to black, glossy, covered with a fair amount of blue bloom, persistent, firm. Skin rather thin, tough, nearly free from pulp, contains little or no pigment, not astringent. Flesh yellowish-green, not juicy, somewhat tender when fully ripe, has some Post-oak flavor, vinous, spicy, sweetish at skin to tart next the seeds, good to very good. Seeds separate easily from pulp, one to four, average two or three, small, of mean length and breadth, blunt, brownish; raphe sometimes cord-like; chalaza intermediate in size, slightly above center, oval to pear-shaped, distinct.
1.Adlum,1823:109, 139.2.Ib.,1828:173.3.Ib.,1828:176.4.Prince,1830:175.5.Ib.,1830:180.6.U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt.,1845:312, 938, 939.7.Ib.,1847:462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 469.8.Mag. Hort.,15:513. 1849.9.West. Hort. Rev.,1:15. 1850.10.U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt.,1851:48, 49, 51. 11.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1852:54.12.Buchanan,1852:23, 71, 96, 106.13.Elliott,1854:244.14.Hooper,1857:274.15.Horticulturist,16:120. 1861.16.Mag. Hort.,28:506. 1862.17.Ib.,29:73. 1863.13.Gar. Mon.,5:73, 74, 184. 1863.19.N. Y. Ag. Soc. Rpt.,1864:42.20.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1867:43.21.Fuller,1867:220, 241, 248.22.Gar. Mon.,9:214. 1867.23.Horticulturist,23:298. 1868.fig. of leaf.24.Downing,1869:533.25.Barry,1872:421.26.Gar. Mon.,14:167. 1872.27.Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1875-6:72, 73.28.Bush. Cat.,1883:80.fig.29.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1883:118.30.Am. Gard.,12:581. 1891.31.Gar. and For.,8:487. 1895.32.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,15:432. 1896.33.Ib.,17:527, 540, 543, 544, 548, 552. 1898.34.Ev. Nat. Fruits,1898:53.35.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,18:367, 374, 386, 396. 1899.36.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:38,43, 44, 45. 1899.37.Kan. Sta. Bul.,110:235. 1902.38.Rural N. Y.,61:722. 1902.39.Traité gen. de vit.,6:282. 1903.Arkansas(13).Catawba Tokay(4, 13, 18, 24, 39).Cherokee(15).Fancher(?24, 39).Keller’s White(39).Lebanon Seedling(13, 18).Lincoln(9).Mammoth Catawba(39).Mead’s Seedling(39).Merceron(39).Michigan(16, 17).Michigan(24, 39).Muncy(3).Muncy Pale Red(5).Muncy, pale red?(4).Omega(39).Red Muncy(4?, 13, 18, 24, 28, 39).Rose of Tennessee(18).Saratoga(?24, 39).Singleton(13, 18, 28,?39).Tekomah(39).Tokay(1).Tokay(4, 28, 39).Virginia Amber(18).White Catawba(39).
1.Adlum,1823:109, 139.2.Ib.,1828:173.3.Ib.,1828:176.4.Prince,1830:175.5.Ib.,1830:180.6.U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt.,1845:312, 938, 939.7.Ib.,1847:462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 469.8.Mag. Hort.,15:513. 1849.9.West. Hort. Rev.,1:15. 1850.10.U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt.,1851:48, 49, 51. 11.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1852:54.12.Buchanan,1852:23, 71, 96, 106.13.Elliott,1854:244.14.Hooper,1857:274.15.Horticulturist,16:120. 1861.16.Mag. Hort.,28:506. 1862.17.Ib.,29:73. 1863.13.Gar. Mon.,5:73, 74, 184. 1863.19.N. Y. Ag. Soc. Rpt.,1864:42.20.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1867:43.21.Fuller,1867:220, 241, 248.22.Gar. Mon.,9:214. 1867.23.Horticulturist,23:298. 1868.fig. of leaf.24.Downing,1869:533.25.Barry,1872:421.26.Gar. Mon.,14:167. 1872.27.Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1875-6:72, 73.28.Bush. Cat.,1883:80.fig.29.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1883:118.30.Am. Gard.,12:581. 1891.31.Gar. and For.,8:487. 1895.32.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,15:432. 1896.33.Ib.,17:527, 540, 543, 544, 548, 552. 1898.34.Ev. Nat. Fruits,1898:53.35.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,18:367, 374, 386, 396. 1899.36.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:38,43, 44, 45. 1899.37.Kan. Sta. Bul.,110:235. 1902.38.Rural N. Y.,61:722. 1902.39.Traité gen. de vit.,6:282. 1903.
Arkansas(13).Catawba Tokay(4, 13, 18, 24, 39).Cherokee(15).Fancher(?24, 39).Keller’s White(39).Lebanon Seedling(13, 18).Lincoln(9).Mammoth Catawba(39).Mead’s Seedling(39).Merceron(39).Michigan(16, 17).Michigan(24, 39).Muncy(3).Muncy Pale Red(5).Muncy, pale red?(4).Omega(39).Red Muncy(4?, 13, 18, 24, 28, 39).Rose of Tennessee(18).Saratoga(?24, 39).Singleton(13, 18, 28,?39).Tekomah(39).Tokay(1).Tokay(4, 28, 39).Virginia Amber(18).White Catawba(39).
From many points of view the Catawba is the most interesting of our American grapes. The elasticity of constitution which enables it to adapt itself to many environments and therefore to succeed in a vast region; its possible existence for centuries in the wild state, for the records of a century have not divulged the secret of its origin, of its ancestry, or of its introduction; its high quality and attractive appearance which give it intrinsic value as a table grape and for making wine; the fact that it was our first great American grape and that after a century it is still one of the four leading varieties of grapes cultivated in eastern America and that after this lapse of time it is the chief of all northern varieties for wine-making; all these make Catawba of prime interest to the grower of American grapes. The Catawba, too, has had the rare distinction of having a poet, Longfellow, sing its praises:
“Very good in its way is the VerzenayOr the Sillery, soft and creamy,But Catawba wine has a taste more divine,More dulcet, delicious and dreamy.There grows no vine, by the haunted Rhine,By the Danube or Guadalquiver,Nor island or cape, that bears such a grapeAs grows by the beautiful River.â€
“Very good in its way is the VerzenayOr the Sillery, soft and creamy,But Catawba wine has a taste more divine,More dulcet, delicious and dreamy.There grows no vine, by the haunted Rhine,By the Danube or Guadalquiver,Nor island or cape, that bears such a grapeAs grows by the beautiful River.â€
“Very good in its way is the VerzenayOr the Sillery, soft and creamy,But Catawba wine has a taste more divine,More dulcet, delicious and dreamy.There grows no vine, by the haunted Rhine,By the Danube or Guadalquiver,Nor island or cape, that bears such a grapeAs grows by the beautiful River.â€
CATAWBACATAWBA
In Chapter II, American Grapes, we have seen how important a part the Catawba played in the first grape regions of this country. It is still the leading grape along the shores of Lake Erie in northern Ohio, and about the Central Lakes of New York. In the latter region immense areas are devoted to this variety, the product going to the general market and to the wine-cellars where it is the chief sort used in the making of champagne. Its characters are such that it is not too much to say that did it but ripen two weeks earlier in the other grape regions of New York, theChautauqua, Hudson and Ontario regions, the Catawba would rival the Concord. Because of late ripening in New York this variety is at its best only about the Central Lakes and on land extending back from the water to an altitude of one hundred feet above the lake surface; here as fine Catawbas are grown as anywhere in the world. As to soil, it thrives in sand, gravel or clay provided there be an abundance of food and humus, good drainage and plenty of bottom heat.
Of all the commercial grapes grown in New York Catawba is the best keeper, lasting until March or later. Because of its fine quality it often brings a higher price than other varieties and its reputation as a dessert grape would be still better were it not too often picked before fully ripe and therefore sour and unpalatable. The Catawba is the standard red grape in the markets, and other red varieties are often sold under its name. It makes a good light-colored wine, which as has been said, is largely used as a base for champagne. The vine is vigorous, hardy and productive but the foliage and fruit are susceptible to fungi and this constitutes the chief defect of the variety and accounts for the decline and the passing out of Catawba in many of the grape regions of the past in the United States and its unpopularity in some of the grape regions of the present. In its botanical characters, in its adaptation, and in its susceptibilities it suggestsVitis viniferacrossed withVitis labrusca, a possibility to be discussed in a later paragraph.
The characters of Catawba seem readily transmissible to its offspring and, beside having a number of pure-bred descendants which more or less resemble it, it is one of the parents of a still greater number of cross-breeds which, as a rule, inherit many of its characters. As with Catawba, most of its progeny show Vinifera characters; as intermittent tendrils, the Vinifera color of foliage, a vinous flavor wholly or nearly free from foxiness, and the susceptibilities of Labrusca-Vinifera hybrids to certain insects, fungi, and environmental conditions.
Catawba was introduced by John Adlum of the District of Columbia about 1823. Adlum secured cuttings of this variety from a Mrs. Scholl of Clarksburgh, Montgomery County, Maryland, in the spring of 1819. This vine had been planted by Mrs. Scholl’s husband, who had since died. He had always called it Catawba, but the family did not know from whatsource it had been secured. Owing to the statement of a German priest that it was the same as the Tokay of Hungary, Mr. Adlum called it by that name. Some years later, when he found this to be a mistake, he changed the name back to Catawba. Adlum found the same variety on a trellis on land belonging to a Mr. J. Johnston, near Fredericktown, Maryland. He also found a similar variety on a farm of his in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, which he introduced under the name of Muncy. Later these two varieties were judged to be identical. Neither Adlum nor Prince was able to trace the origin of Catawba, though both were among the chief viticulturists of their day, were instrumental in distributing this variety, and had correspondents in all parts of the Union.
In 1850, S. Mosher of Saloma Springs, Kentucky, wrote an article in theWestern Horticultural Review, giving an account of the finding of the original vine by Dr. Solomon Beach, in 1821, on the farm of William Murry, about ten miles from Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina. The Murrys informed Beach that the grape was an old variety in the neighborhood and that cuttings and roots had been sent to various places. This story was later confirmed by Ravenel, who talked with a son of the original Murry and was told that General Davy, in 1807, then United States Senator from South Carolina, had secured some of the vines and had carried some of them to Washington. This would account for its falling into the hands of Adlum. It must be said, however, that it appears strange that none of the many correspondents of Adlum or Prince, some of whom lived not very far from where the Catawba was supposed to have been found, had heard of this variety. That the Murrys had a vine growing on their farm of peculiar excellence, is probable; that it was Catawba is by no means certain. All that can be said is that the origin of Catawba is not positively known.
Catawba was introduced into the grape region around Cincinnati by Longworth in 1825. The favorable reports of the variety from this region undoubtedly did much to secure its early and wide distribution. In most sections it was compared with the Alexander or Cape grape, and proved itself easily the superior in both vine and fruit characters. Up to the time of the introduction of Concord, Catawba was the most popular American grape cultivated. After that time, the earlier season and superiorvine of the former variety enabled it to supplant Catawba in many sections. The Catawba was placed on the grape list in the first American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1852.
The species to which Catawba belongs is uncertain. It is generally classed as Labrusca, but practically all of those who have raised large numbers of seedlings of the variety are of the opinion that it has some Vinifera blood in its composition. The general appearance of the vine would indicate Labrusca, but the vinous flavor of the fruit, the susceptibility to mildew, the appearance of occasional seeds, and the character of the seedlings, many of which resemble Vinifera more than the parent, all indicate that there is a strain of Vinifera present.
Vine vigorous to medium, hardy, productive, subject to mildew in unfavorable seasons. Canes of average length, numerous, rather thick, moderately dark brown with slight ash-gray tinge; nodes enlarged, sometimes slightly flattened; internodes of mean length; diaphragm rather thin; pith rather large; shoots slightly pubescent; tendrils continuous, of fair length, bifid to trifid.Leaf-buds intermediate in size and thickness, short, conical to nearly obtuse, open moderately late. Young leaves tinged rose carmine on upper and lower sides. Leaves large, of average thickness; upper surface rather light green, dull, moderately smooth; lower surface grayish-white, heavily pubescent; veins well defined; lobes sometimes three, terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow to medium; basal sinus often lacking; lateral sinus of average depth, narrow; teeth rather shallow, narrow. Flowers fertile, open rather late; stamens upright.Fruit late, one of the best keepers, lasting until March or later. Clusters large to medium, rather long, usually broad, nearly cylindrical to tapering, single-shouldered to sometimes double-shouldered, rather loose to compact; peduncle of average length, rather slender; pedicel variable in length, intermediate in thickness, covered with but few small, inconspicuous warts, considerably swollen at point of attachment to berry; brush short, pale green. Berries intermediate in size, oval to roundish, dull purplish-red, covered with a moderate amount of lilac bloom, not inclined to drop from pedicel, firm. Skin rather thick, variable in toughness, slightly adheres to pulp, with no pigment, somewhat astringent. Flesh green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, slightly tough to soft, depending upon age, vinous, often sprightly with some foxiness, sweet and rich, very good in quality. Seeds separate easily from flesh, frequently abortive, average two, medium size, broad, often with a short prominent neck, distinctly notched, blunt, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza large, above center, oval to nearly roundish, rather distinct.
Vine vigorous to medium, hardy, productive, subject to mildew in unfavorable seasons. Canes of average length, numerous, rather thick, moderately dark brown with slight ash-gray tinge; nodes enlarged, sometimes slightly flattened; internodes of mean length; diaphragm rather thin; pith rather large; shoots slightly pubescent; tendrils continuous, of fair length, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds intermediate in size and thickness, short, conical to nearly obtuse, open moderately late. Young leaves tinged rose carmine on upper and lower sides. Leaves large, of average thickness; upper surface rather light green, dull, moderately smooth; lower surface grayish-white, heavily pubescent; veins well defined; lobes sometimes three, terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow to medium; basal sinus often lacking; lateral sinus of average depth, narrow; teeth rather shallow, narrow. Flowers fertile, open rather late; stamens upright.
Fruit late, one of the best keepers, lasting until March or later. Clusters large to medium, rather long, usually broad, nearly cylindrical to tapering, single-shouldered to sometimes double-shouldered, rather loose to compact; peduncle of average length, rather slender; pedicel variable in length, intermediate in thickness, covered with but few small, inconspicuous warts, considerably swollen at point of attachment to berry; brush short, pale green. Berries intermediate in size, oval to roundish, dull purplish-red, covered with a moderate amount of lilac bloom, not inclined to drop from pedicel, firm. Skin rather thick, variable in toughness, slightly adheres to pulp, with no pigment, somewhat astringent. Flesh green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, slightly tough to soft, depending upon age, vinous, often sprightly with some foxiness, sweet and rich, very good in quality. Seeds separate easily from flesh, frequently abortive, average two, medium size, broad, often with a short prominent neck, distinctly notched, blunt, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza large, above center, oval to nearly roundish, rather distinct.
1.Rural N. Y.,45:265. 1886.fig.2.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,11:617. 1892.3.Bush. Cat.,1894:100.4.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:41, 54. 1901.fig.Sharon(3).
1.Rural N. Y.,45:265. 1886.fig.2.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,11:617. 1892.3.Bush. Cat.,1894:100.4.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:41, 54. 1901.fig.
Sharon(3).
Cayuga is probably a descendant of Isabella through Adirondac. It resembles its parent in both its good qualities and its faults. The first are beauty, quality and earliness of fruit; the second lack of vigor, susceptibility to fungi and lack of hardiness. Although known since 1886, the Cayuga was never widely distributed in New York and is now rarely found.
The variety was originated by D. S. Marvin, Watertown, New York, from seed of Adirondac. Marvin, in a personal letter, says that the usually imputed parentage of Eumelan crossed with Adirondac is a mistake, and refers to another variety. Bush gives Sharon as a synonym of Cayuga but this appears to be an error.
Vine not vigorous, lacks in hardiness, an uncertain bearer, unproductive. Tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves medium to small, inclined to dark green, thick. Flowers vary from nearly fertile to almost sterile, open in mid-season; stamens upright. Fruit ripens as early as Champion. Clusters variable in size, usually short and not shouldered, not uniform in compactness. Berries medium to large but some years often small and seedless, much like Isabella in shape, unattractive in color, ranging from dull reddish-purple to blackish, covered with blue bloom. Flesh tender, vinous, mild from skin to center, variable in flavor and quality, ranking from fair to very good. The seed-coat is often rough and warty.
Vine not vigorous, lacks in hardiness, an uncertain bearer, unproductive. Tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves medium to small, inclined to dark green, thick. Flowers vary from nearly fertile to almost sterile, open in mid-season; stamens upright. Fruit ripens as early as Champion. Clusters variable in size, usually short and not shouldered, not uniform in compactness. Berries medium to large but some years often small and seedless, much like Isabella in shape, unattractive in color, ranging from dull reddish-purple to blackish, covered with blue bloom. Flesh tender, vinous, mild from skin to center, variable in flavor and quality, ranking from fair to very good. The seed-coat is often rough and warty.
1.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1881:66.2.Bush. Cat.,1883:81.3.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,9:330. 1890.4.Ill. Sta. Bul.,28:263. 1893.5.Bush. Cat.,1894:101.fig.6.Mass. Hatch. Sta. Bul.,37:12, 15. 1896.7.Ark. Sta. Bul.,39:28. 1896.8.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:527, 548, 552. 1898.9.Tex. Sta. Bul.,48:1149, 1154. 1898.10.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:38, 45, 46. 1899.11.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:41. 1901.12.Kan. Sta. Bul.,110:247. 1902.Continental(1) but incorrectly.
1.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1881:66.2.Bush. Cat.,1883:81.3.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,9:330. 1890.4.Ill. Sta. Bul.,28:263. 1893.5.Bush. Cat.,1894:101.fig.6.Mass. Hatch. Sta. Bul.,37:12, 15. 1896.7.Ark. Sta. Bul.,39:28. 1896.8.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:527, 548, 552. 1898.9.Tex. Sta. Bul.,48:1149, 1154. 1898.10.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:38, 45, 46. 1899.11.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:41. 1901.12.Kan. Sta. Bul.,110:247. 1902.
Continental(1) but incorrectly.
Centennial is now scarcely heard of though at the time of its introduction, shortly after the Centennial of 1876, it was looked upon as a valuable acquisition. Its chief meritorious attributes are high quality and attractive appearance; while its faults, which greatly outweigh its merits, are lack ofvigor, susceptibility to fungi, and lack of hardiness. Centennial is much like Delaware and is surpassed by it in nearly all respects.
The variety was originated by D. S. Marvin, of Watertown, New York. It is a cross between a Labrusca seedling of Marvin’s and a seedling of Eumelan. It was first fruited in 1875, and was introduced in 1882 by the originator. Vines were received by this Station in 1883. The tenderness and lateness of ripening of Centennial, as well as its botanical characters, indicate Vinifera blood.
The following description is a compilation from several sources:
Vine vigorous, somewhat tender, fairly productive. Leaves rounded, slightly three-lobed, smooth. Clusters medium to small, compact, tapering or cylindrical, sometimes slightly shouldered. Berries medium to small, pale red or amber color with thin white bloom, adhere firmly to pedicel. Skin rather thick, tough. Flesh tender, juicy, sweet, resembling Delaware in flavor, good to very good. About the same season as Concord.
Vine vigorous, somewhat tender, fairly productive. Leaves rounded, slightly three-lobed, smooth. Clusters medium to small, compact, tapering or cylindrical, sometimes slightly shouldered. Berries medium to small, pale red or amber color with thin white bloom, adhere firmly to pedicel. Skin rather thick, tough. Flesh tender, juicy, sweet, resembling Delaware in flavor, good to very good. About the same season as Concord.
1.Am. Jour. Hort.,4:72. 1868.2.Ib.,7:102. 1870.3.Bush. Cat.,1883:82.4.Ill. Sta. Bul.,28:259. 1893.5.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:38, 43, 45, 46. 1899.6.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:41. 1901.7.Kan. Sta. Bul.,110:238. 1902.
1.Am. Jour. Hort.,4:72. 1868.2.Ib.,7:102. 1870.3.Bush. Cat.,1883:82.4.Ill. Sta. Bul.,28:259. 1893.5.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:38, 43, 45, 46. 1899.6.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:41. 1901.7.Kan. Sta. Bul.,110:238. 1902.
Some years ago Challenge was considered an excellent dessert grape, being of good quality, hardy, and fairly healthy. Small plantations of it still exist in New York, but it is rapidly passing out of cultivation.
Challenge was originated about 1860 by Archer Moore, of Hammonton, New Jersey. He supposed it to have come from seed of Concord fertilized by Royal Muscadine. The variety was introduced by William F. Bassett of the same place. We do not have a vine of Challenge growing on the Station grounds, and the description written below is compiled from various sources.
Vine very vigorous; shoots slender, long. Leaf of medium size, dark green. Clusters rather large, compact, tapering, usually shouldered. Berries medium in size, round, pale red to reddish-purple in color with very thin bloom and inconspicuous dots, juicy, slightly acid; quality medium to good; not separating readily from the seeds. Season shortly after Concord.
Vine very vigorous; shoots slender, long. Leaf of medium size, dark green. Clusters rather large, compact, tapering, usually shouldered. Berries medium in size, round, pale red to reddish-purple in color with very thin bloom and inconspicuous dots, juicy, slightly acid; quality medium to good; not separating readily from the seeds. Season shortly after Concord.
1.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1871:69.2.Am. Hort. An.,1871:83.3.Horticulturist,30:151. 1875.4.Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1875:88, 295.5.Gar. Mon.,20:47. 1878.6.Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1879:93.7.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1879.8.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1881:36.9.Bush. Cat.,1883:82.10.Ib.,1883:138.11.Tenn. Sta. Bul., Vol.9:172. 1896.12.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:527, 528, 548, 552, 554. 1898.13.Miss. Sta. Bul.,56:11. 1899.14.Budd-Hansen,2:374. 1902.Beaconsfield(6, 8, 9, 11).Champion(10).Early Champion(5).Early Champion(9, 11).Tallman?(5).Tallman Seedling(1, 2).Talman’s Seedling(10).Talman’s Seedling(9, 11).Talman’s Seedling(4).Talman(10).
1.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1871:69.2.Am. Hort. An.,1871:83.3.Horticulturist,30:151. 1875.4.Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1875:88, 295.5.Gar. Mon.,20:47. 1878.6.Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1879:93.7.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1879.8.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1881:36.9.Bush. Cat.,1883:82.10.Ib.,1883:138.11.Tenn. Sta. Bul., Vol.9:172. 1896.12.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:527, 528, 548, 552, 554. 1898.13.Miss. Sta. Bul.,56:11. 1899.14.Budd-Hansen,2:374. 1902.
Beaconsfield(6, 8, 9, 11).Champion(10).Early Champion(5).Early Champion(9, 11).Tallman?(5).Tallman Seedling(1, 2).Talman’s Seedling(10).Talman’s Seedling(9, 11).Talman’s Seedling(4).Talman(10).
Champion is still a favorite early grape with some commercial growers after having been grown for a generation, though its poor quality should have driven it from cultivation years ago. Champion and Hartford are rivals as early market grapes and for the distinction of being the poorest in quality of all commonly cultivated grapes. The variety under consideration is sourer and less agreeable to the taste than many wild grapes. The characters which have kept it in cultivation are earliness, good shipping qualities, though it does not keep well, productiveness, attractive appearance, and a vigorous hardy vine. The hardiness of the vine and its short season of fruit development and maturity make it a good variety for northern and cold climates. This grape is best, in appearance of fruit, in quality, and in the quantity produced, on a comparatively light sandy soil. As grape consumers become more appreciative of quality, Champion will be grown less and less.
The origin of Champion is unknown. It was first grown about 1870 in New York. In 1871 Elliott acknowledged receipt of specimens of this variety from William Chorlton of Staten Island. It was at that time generally known as Tallman or Tallman’s Seedling. At about the same time it was being propagated and sold by R. J. Donnelly and J. I. Stone of Charlotte, Monroe County, as Champion. Although many efforts have been made, no one has succeeded in tracing the variety to the original vine. At one time it was stated to have originated in the vicinity of New Orleans, Louisiana, but later the southern Champion was found to be a different variety. This variety was early introduced into Canada where it was known as Beaconsfield, owing to its being first planted in that country in a large vineyard owned by a gentleman of that name.
CHAMPIONCHAMPION
Vine vigorous to very vigorous, hardy, productive to very productive. Canes intermediate in length and number, of average size, rather dark brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes medium to below in length; diaphragm thick; pith nearly large; shoots pubescent; tendrils continuous, inclined to long, bifid.Leaf-buds of medium size, short, rather thick, obtuse to conical, open in mid-season. Young leaves strongly tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side with carmine, making the prevailing color rose carmine. Leaves medium to large, intermediate in thickness; upper surface dark green, dull, rugose; lower surface dull gray often with trace of bronze, slightly downy; veins indistinct; lobes usually three, often obscurely five, terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus deep to medium, of average width; teeth of fair depth, shallow. Flowers fertile, open medium early; stamens upright.Fruit ripens early, three weeks or more before Concord and about a week before Hartford, ships well but does not keep well, as its season is very short. Clusters medium to small, of mean length and breadth, blunt, cylindrical to slightly tapering, usually not shouldered, medium to compact; peduncle short, rather thick; pedicel inclined to short, covered with small inconspicuous warts; brush whitish tinged with brown. Berries medium to above in size, roundish, dull black covered with a moderate amount of blue bloom, not always persistent, somewhat soft. Skin thick, tender, adheres considerably to the pulp, contains a fair amount of light purplish pigment, astringent. Flesh light green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, foxy, rather sweet next the skin, agreeably tart at center, poor in quality. Seeds slightly adherent, one to five, average three, large, somewhat broad and long, blunt, light brown; raphe obscure; chalaza of fair size, slightly above center, circular, obscure.
Vine vigorous to very vigorous, hardy, productive to very productive. Canes intermediate in length and number, of average size, rather dark brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes medium to below in length; diaphragm thick; pith nearly large; shoots pubescent; tendrils continuous, inclined to long, bifid.
Leaf-buds of medium size, short, rather thick, obtuse to conical, open in mid-season. Young leaves strongly tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side with carmine, making the prevailing color rose carmine. Leaves medium to large, intermediate in thickness; upper surface dark green, dull, rugose; lower surface dull gray often with trace of bronze, slightly downy; veins indistinct; lobes usually three, often obscurely five, terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus deep to medium, of average width; teeth of fair depth, shallow. Flowers fertile, open medium early; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens early, three weeks or more before Concord and about a week before Hartford, ships well but does not keep well, as its season is very short. Clusters medium to small, of mean length and breadth, blunt, cylindrical to slightly tapering, usually not shouldered, medium to compact; peduncle short, rather thick; pedicel inclined to short, covered with small inconspicuous warts; brush whitish tinged with brown. Berries medium to above in size, roundish, dull black covered with a moderate amount of blue bloom, not always persistent, somewhat soft. Skin thick, tender, adheres considerably to the pulp, contains a fair amount of light purplish pigment, astringent. Flesh light green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, foxy, rather sweet next the skin, agreeably tart at center, poor in quality. Seeds slightly adherent, one to five, average three, large, somewhat broad and long, blunt, light brown; raphe obscure; chalaza of fair size, slightly above center, circular, obscure.
1.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,11:618. 1892.2.Ib.,13:602. 1894.3.Bush. Cat.,1894:102.4.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:528, 548, 554. 1898.
1.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,11:618. 1892.2.Ib.,13:602. 1894.3.Bush. Cat.,1894:102.4.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:528, 548, 554. 1898.
In appearance Chautauqua is very similar to Concord, its parent, but it ripens a few days earlier and is of slightly better quality though it does not differ in these respects sufficiently to make it more than an easily recognized strain of Concord. Inasmuch as it originated, and for fifteen years has been known, in the region where the Concord reigns supreme, and has not yet come into prominence, it is fair to assume that it has some weakness and that the parent will remain dominant.
Chautauqua is a volunteer seedling of Concord found in a Concord vineyard near Brocton, Chautauqua County, New York, by H. T. Bashtite who sent vines of it to this Station in 1892.
Vine medium to vigorous, not always hardy, not productive. Tendrils continuous, mostly trifid. Leaves large, irregularly roundish, dark green; lower surface tinged with bronze. Flowers semi-fertile to nearly fertile, open in mid-season or earlier; stamens upright. Fruit ripens in mid-season or a few days earlier. Clusters medium to large, rather broad, sometimes single-shouldered, intermediate in compactness. Berries unusually large, roundish to slightly oval, dark purplish-black, covered with abundant blue bloom, shatter badly. Skin thin, very astringent. Flesh rather tough, vinous, sweet at skin to acid at center, good to very good in quality. The pulp separates readily from the few broad and plump seeds.
Vine medium to vigorous, not always hardy, not productive. Tendrils continuous, mostly trifid. Leaves large, irregularly roundish, dark green; lower surface tinged with bronze. Flowers semi-fertile to nearly fertile, open in mid-season or earlier; stamens upright. Fruit ripens in mid-season or a few days earlier. Clusters medium to large, rather broad, sometimes single-shouldered, intermediate in compactness. Berries unusually large, roundish to slightly oval, dark purplish-black, covered with abundant blue bloom, shatter badly. Skin thin, very astringent. Flesh rather tough, vinous, sweet at skin to acid at center, good to very good in quality. The pulp separates readily from the few broad and plump seeds.
1.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,10:494. 1891.2.Ib.,11:618. 1892.3.Rural N. Y.,52:381. 1893.4.Bush. Cat.,1894:103.5.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:528, 548, 554. 1898.
1.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,10:494. 1891.2.Ib.,11:618. 1892.3.Rural N. Y.,52:381. 1893.4.Bush. Cat.,1894:103.5.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:528, 548, 554. 1898.
There are two Cleveners discussed in American viticultural literature, the origin and history of both of which are briefly set forth below. In these general observations we need to consider but the northern one of the two grapes. This variety has long been grown in New Jersey and in New York and in both States is highly esteemed as a wine grape, the resulting wine being well flavored and of a dark inky-red color. The fruit is remarkable in coloring very early and in ripening very late. The vine is hardy, very vigorous, succeeds in various soils and since it bears grafts well it seems an excellent sort upon which to graft varieties which do not thrive on their own roots. It is self-sterile and must be planted with some other variety to set fruit well. Clinton makes an excellent pollenizer because it blooms at the same time, and because two wine grapes may be thus grown together. In spite of its good qualities, Clevener is hardly holding its own in the commercial vineyards of the State and it is not a desirable fruit for the amateur who wants a table grape.
The Clevener here described has been raised in the vicinity of Egg Harbor, New Jersey, for about forty years, but its place and time of origin are unknown. It is generally considered to be a Riparia but the continuous tendrils and other botanical characters indicate a strong admixture of Labrusca blood and possibly Aestivalis or Bicolor as the shoots and canes show considerable bloom.
The other variety under the name Clevener is a southern grape strongly resembling Rulander or Louisiana. Opinions differ as to whether it be ofAestivalis or Bourquiniana blood. This variety is unknown in New York and of its origin and history there is no information.