CLINTON.(Riparia, Labrusca.)

Vine a rampant grower, hardy, medium to productive, somewhat subject to attacks of leaf-hoppers. Canes long, numerous, rather thick, dark reddish-brown, covered with a slight amount of bloom; tendrils continuous, bifid. Foliage very healthy; leaves unusually large, intermediate in thickness, dark green with well defined ribs showing through the thin pubescence of the under surface. Flowers sterile, open very early; stamens reflexed.Fruit ripens late, and appears to keep well. Clusters do not always fill well, small to medium, rather short and slender, irregularly tapering, often with a medium-sized single shoulder, variable in compactness. Berries small to medium, roundish to slightly flattened, black, rather glossy, covered with blue bloom, persistent, firm. Skin rather tough, thinnish and inclined to crack, adheres slightly to the pulp, contains an unusually large amount of dark purplish-red pigment. Flesh reddish-green, moderately juicy, rather tender and soft, fine-grained, very slightly aromatic, spicy, neither so sprightly nor so high-flavored as other varieties of the same season, not good enough in flavor and quality in general for dessert purposes. Seeds separate rather easily from the pulp, intermediate in size and length, medium to above in width, notched, nearly sharp-pointed, dark brown; raphe shows as a very small cord; chalaza large, at center or slightly above, irregularly oval, distinct.

Fruit ripens late, and appears to keep well. Clusters do not always fill well, small to medium, rather short and slender, irregularly tapering, often with a medium-sized single shoulder, variable in compactness. Berries small to medium, roundish to slightly flattened, black, rather glossy, covered with blue bloom, persistent, firm. Skin rather tough, thinnish and inclined to crack, adheres slightly to the pulp, contains an unusually large amount of dark purplish-red pigment. Flesh reddish-green, moderately juicy, rather tender and soft, fine-grained, very slightly aromatic, spicy, neither so sprightly nor so high-flavored as other varieties of the same season, not good enough in flavor and quality in general for dessert purposes. Seeds separate rather easily from the pulp, intermediate in size and length, medium to above in width, notched, nearly sharp-pointed, dark brown; raphe shows as a very small cord; chalaza large, at center or slightly above, irregularly oval, distinct.

1.Adlum,1823:140.2.Ib.,1828:176.3.Prince,1830:179.4.Rafinesque,1830:11.5.N. Y. Ag. Soc. Rpt.,1841:388.6.Horticulturist,2:121, 341. 1847.7.Ib.,8:120. 1853.fig.8.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1860:82.9.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1862:90.10.Gar. Mon.,5:335. 1863.11.Strong,1866:332.12.Husmann,1866:50, 102.13.Fuller,1867:219.14.U. S. D. A. Rpt.,1869:85.fig.15.Bush. Cat.,1883:82.16.Can. Hort.,11:43. 1888.17.Bush. Cat.,1894:103, 104.fig.18.Ev. Nat. Fruits,1898:75.19.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:528, 540, 544, 548, 554, 559. 1898.20.Rural N. Y.,59:7, 306. 1900.Worthington(1, 2, 3, 4).Worthington(15, 17).

Worthington(1, 2, 3, 4).Worthington(15, 17).

Clinton is now but little grown, its place having been taken by better varieties of its type. It has historical interest if not intrinsic value, for it played an important part in the beginning of American viticulture. Most viticulturists have ascribed to Clinton the distinction of being the first cultivated “variety ofVitis riparia” but without question this honor belongs to the Worthington of Adlum and Prince, with a strong probability that Clinton may be Worthington renamed. But it was as Clinton thatVitis ripariawas disseminated for general culture and it is the nameClinton that stands at the parental head of the long list of grapes now under cultivation from this species; and so, in spite of its being the usurper of Worthington’s honor, and whether or not it be the older variety under an assumed name, it is probably best that Clinton continue to be considered the first of its race.

Clinton came into prominence, and brought the species to which it belongs to the notice of grape-growers, because of its vigor, hardiness and fruitfulness; and, later, its popularity was added to because of its immunity to phylloxera. The vine is so vigorous that its growth is rank and because of this and the straggling habit of growth it is very difficult to keep under control on trellises and in most situations needs a great deal of room. It can be grown in as high a latitude as any of our native grapes but it blooms so early in the spring that the blossoms are often caught by late frosts in northern climates. The immunity of Clinton to phylloxera led to its being planted very largely in France some years ago but it has now been discarded for better direct producers in that country. The defects of the variety are: The fruit is too small and sour and the seeds and skins too prominent for a market grape and the wine is not of high quality, being too raucous, though the harshness disappears somewhat with age. The fruit colors early in the season but does not ripen until late and therefore suffers greatly from birds. A slight touch of frost is supposed to improve its flavor. This variety is so sensitive to calcareous soils that where lime or chalk abounds the vines often die out after a few years. Clinton bears grafts well, making a quick and firm union with Labruscas and Viniferas, and roots very freely from cuttings.

This variety has been much used in grape-breeding and its blood can be traced in many valuable varieties, among which are most of the desirable wine grapes for the North. The offspring of Clinton are usually very hardy and this, taken with other desirable characters, makes it an exceptionally good starting-point for breeding grapes for northern latitudes. Its seedlings often show intermittent characters and otherwise indicate a strong strain of Labrusca.

CLINTONCLINTON

Clinton began to attract attention in New York about 1840. J. W. Bissell, of Rochester, in theHorticulturistof January, 1848, writes that the vine from which cuttings were taken was found by L. B. Langworthy,in the garden of a Mr. Peebles above Waterford on the Hudson. The name Clinton was given by Langworthy, who introduced it to the trade around Rochester about 1835. There were other cultivated varieties growing in the Peebles garden and the Clinton was not supposed to be a seedling. Although this account of the origin of the Clinton was published in the then most popular horticultural publication in the United States, there were no denials nor corrections made in any of the succeeding numbers. In 1863 there appeared in theElmira Advertiseran account of the origin of this variety in which it was stated that the seed from which this variety had sprung was planted by Hugh White, then a member of Congress, in his father’s garden in Whitesboro, in 1819. Two years later, so the story runs, when he was a junior in Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, White transplanted the vine east of the house of Dr. Noyes, with whom he then boarded. There were no denials of this report, probably on account of the fact that the introducer at Rochester was dead; and the account and Whitesboro as the place of origin were later generally accepted by horticultural writers. In 1852 the Ohio Pomological Society determined that the Worthington and the Clinton grapes were identical. Later this was generally accepted by viticulturists as being correct. The Worthington is an old sort known to Adlum and Prince, and was said by the latter to have originated in the vicinity of Annapolis, Maryland.

Clinton was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1862, where it has since been retained.

Clinton is usually considered a Riparia, as most of the botanical characters indicate this species. However, occasional canes with continuous tendrils are characteristic of Labrusca.

Vine a rank grower, healthy, hardy, productive. Canes long, numerous, slender to medium, brown to reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, slightly flattened; internodes of average length; diaphragm thick to medium; pith large; shoots smooth; tendrils usually intermittent but sometimes continuous, bifid.Leaf-buds rather large and short, thick, obtuse to conical, open early. Young leaves very faintly tinged with carmine on lower side only. Leaves hang until very late in the season, medium to small, thin; upper surface dark green, smooth; lower surface pale green, not pubescent; veins indistinct; petiolar sinus deep, medium to narrow, often urn-shaped; basal and lateral sinuses shallow to medium when present; teeth of average depth, rather wide. Flowers fertile, open early; stamens upright.Fruit colors early but is not edible until after mid-season. Clusters medium to small, of fair length, slender, cylindrical, uniform, usually single-shouldered, compact; peduncle medium to short, intermediate in thickness; pedicel nearly short, very slender, almost smooth; brush tinged with red. Berries small to medium, roundish to slightly oval, dark purplish-black to black, glossy, covered with rather thick blue bloom, adhere well to pedicel, firm. Skin very thin, tough, nearly free from pulp, contains considerable wine-colored pigment, somewhat astringent. Flesh darkish green, very juicy, fine-grained, slightly tough and solid, with some Riparia flavor, spicy, vinous, too tart for dessert use. Seeds adherent, average two in number, intermediate in size, short, blunt, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of average size, above center, pear-shaped to long oval, distinct. Must, 93°-98°.

Leaf-buds rather large and short, thick, obtuse to conical, open early. Young leaves very faintly tinged with carmine on lower side only. Leaves hang until very late in the season, medium to small, thin; upper surface dark green, smooth; lower surface pale green, not pubescent; veins indistinct; petiolar sinus deep, medium to narrow, often urn-shaped; basal and lateral sinuses shallow to medium when present; teeth of average depth, rather wide. Flowers fertile, open early; stamens upright.

Fruit colors early but is not edible until after mid-season. Clusters medium to small, of fair length, slender, cylindrical, uniform, usually single-shouldered, compact; peduncle medium to short, intermediate in thickness; pedicel nearly short, very slender, almost smooth; brush tinged with red. Berries small to medium, roundish to slightly oval, dark purplish-black to black, glossy, covered with rather thick blue bloom, adhere well to pedicel, firm. Skin very thin, tough, nearly free from pulp, contains considerable wine-colored pigment, somewhat astringent. Flesh darkish green, very juicy, fine-grained, slightly tough and solid, with some Riparia flavor, spicy, vinous, too tart for dessert use. Seeds adherent, average two in number, intermediate in size, short, blunt, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of average size, above center, pear-shaped to long oval, distinct. Must, 93°-98°.

1.Rural N. Y.,60:637. 1901. 2.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1903:83. 3.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1904:306.

Cloeta comes from T. V. Munson and is of the same parentage as Captain. Munson says of it:[172]“Probably the best of all American black grapes.” But it does not sustain this high standard on the Station grounds nor would it do so, we think, in other parts of the North. Munson further states that it “requires hot, dry weather to acquire high quality” and this explains why it does not succeed in this latitude as it does in Texas.

The variety was produced from seed of America pollinated by R. W. Munson and was introduced by the originator in 1902.

Vine very vigorous, hardy, produces fair to good crops, susceptible to attacks of mildew. Canes long, numerous, covered with considerable blue bloom; tendrils intermittent, bifid. Leaves small to above medium, rather thick. Flowers bloom in mid-season; stamens upright. Fruit ripens after mid-season, does not keep well. Clusters medium to small, not uniform, frequently single-shouldered, intermediate in compactness. Berries medium to small, oval to roundish, black, covered with a fair amount of blue bloom, very persistent, not firm. Skin very thin and tender, contains a large amount of wine-colored pigment. Flesh somewhat tough and solid, sweet at skin to acid at center, spicy, medium to above in quality. The numerous small seeds are usually not notched.

1.Rural N. Y.,47:759. 1888.fig.2.Bush. Cat.,1894:105.3.Rural N. Y.,53:616. 1894.4.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,14:278. 1895.5.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:528, 548, 554. 1898.6.Rural N. Y.,58:23. 1899.7.Mich. Sta. Bul.,169:165. 1899.

Colerain is one of the numerous white seedlings of Concord and one of the few of these seedlings of sufficient merit to be kept in cultivation. It has the characteristic foliage and habit of growth of its parent but is earlier by at least a week, is of much higher quality and lacks somewhat the foxiness of most Labruscas. Colerain is sprightly and vinous and neither seeds nor skins are as objectionable as in the parent variety; the fruit hangs well to the vine and keeps as well as most of the varieties of its class but owing to its tender pulp does not ship well. It is reported to be more or less unproductive in some localities. While Colerain has not attained commercial importance, it is recognized as well worthy a place in home vineyards, and for this reason and because it is one of the best if not the best of the white seedlings of Concord it is given the honor of a color-plate and full description inThe Grapes of New York.

David Bundy of Colerain, Belmont County, Ohio, produced Colerain from seed of Concord planted in 1880. The variety was soon after introduced by the Colerain Grape Company of Colerain, Ohio.

Vine medium to vigorous, usually hardy, healthy, not always productive. Canes intermediate in length and number, slender, dark reddish-brown; nodes of average size, flattened; internodes medium to below; diaphragm thick; pith rather large; shoots pubescent; tendrils continuous, rather short, bifid.Leaf-buds small, short, slender, pointed to nearly conical, open moderately late. Young leaves lightly tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side with a faint trace of carmine. Leaves of average size, nearly thick; upper surface light green, dull, moderately smooth; lower surface slightly bronze, downy; veins rather distinct; leaf not lobed, terminus acute; petiolar sinus shallow to medium, usually wide; basal and lateral sinuses very shallow when present; teeth shallow, of average width. Flowers fertile, opening in mid-season or earlier; stamens upright.Fruit ripens a week or more earlier than Concord, keeps fairly well but does not ship well. Clusters attractive, averaging medium in size and length, somewhat slender, blunt, tapering to nearly cylindrical, irregular, usually strongly shouldered, moderately compact; peduncle medium in length and thickness; pedicel intermediate in length,inclined to slender, nearly smooth; brush of average length, green. Berries usually below Niagara in size but somewhat variable, roundish to slightly oval, light green, slightly glossy, covered with thin gray bloom, usually rather persistent. Skin unusually thin, tender, adheres to pulp, contains no pigment, slightly astringent. Flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender and soft when fully ripe, somewhat foxy, vinous, sweet, good in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, few in number, usually one to three, averaging two, rather small and broad, notched, short to medium, nearly plump, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of average size, slightly above center, circular to nearly oval, showing only as a depression.

Leaf-buds small, short, slender, pointed to nearly conical, open moderately late. Young leaves lightly tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side with a faint trace of carmine. Leaves of average size, nearly thick; upper surface light green, dull, moderately smooth; lower surface slightly bronze, downy; veins rather distinct; leaf not lobed, terminus acute; petiolar sinus shallow to medium, usually wide; basal and lateral sinuses very shallow when present; teeth shallow, of average width. Flowers fertile, opening in mid-season or earlier; stamens upright.

Fruit ripens a week or more earlier than Concord, keeps fairly well but does not ship well. Clusters attractive, averaging medium in size and length, somewhat slender, blunt, tapering to nearly cylindrical, irregular, usually strongly shouldered, moderately compact; peduncle medium in length and thickness; pedicel intermediate in length,inclined to slender, nearly smooth; brush of average length, green. Berries usually below Niagara in size but somewhat variable, roundish to slightly oval, light green, slightly glossy, covered with thin gray bloom, usually rather persistent. Skin unusually thin, tender, adheres to pulp, contains no pigment, slightly astringent. Flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender and soft when fully ripe, somewhat foxy, vinous, sweet, good in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, few in number, usually one to three, averaging two, rather small and broad, notched, short to medium, nearly plump, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of average size, slightly above center, circular to nearly oval, showing only as a depression.

1.Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1893-4:30.2.Bush. Cat.,1894:105.3.Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1894-5:67, 70.4.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,18:374, 387, 395. 1899.5.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:38, 43, 44, 45, 49. 1899.6.Mich. Sta. Bul.,169:166, 169. 1899.7.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1899:57.8.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:42. 1901.Columbian(3, 6).Imperial(3).Jumbo(1).Jumbo(2, 3).

Columbian(3, 6).Imperial(3).Jumbo(1).Jumbo(2, 3).

Columbian Imperial is a showy, reddish-black, Labrusca-Riparia hybrid chiefly remarkable for the great size of its berries; though the vine is so exceptionally healthy and vigorous as to give it prominence for these characters. The variety has remarkably thick, leathery leaves which seem almost proof against either insects or fungi. The quality of the fruit, however, is very inferior and the clusters are uneven as to the number of berries and these shell off readily. The only possible value of the variety is for exhibition purposes and for breeding to secure the desirable characters named above. Columbian Imperial is a frequent adornment of the salesbook of the fruit tree agents and the panegyrics heaped upon it by misinformed or unscrupulous salesmen have given it a rather wide distribution in the gardens of the amateur where it has no place whatever.

The parentage of Columbian Imperial is unknown. The fruit was originated by J. S. McKinley, Morgan, Orient P. O., Ohio, in 1885. It was introduced by the Columbian Grape Company, of Kingston, Ohio, under the name Columbian, also by J. R. Johnson of Dallas, Texas, under the name Columbian Imperial. Supposed by many to be of Labrusca-Riparia blood. The Labrusca shows plainly; the Riparia little, if at all.

Vine vigorous to very vigorous, healthy, hardy, variable in productiveness. Canes long, numerous, thick to medium, dark reddish-brown, unusually heavily pubescent and spiny; tendrils continuous, long, bifid.

COLERAINCOLERAIN

Leaves healthy, variable in size, green, very thick; lower surface of young leaves pale green shading into bronze on older leaves with little, if any, pubescence. Flowers, strongly self-fertile; upright stamens. Fruit ripens late. Clusters medium in size, sometimes shouldered, and of average compactness. Berries large, roundish to slightly oval, dull reddish-black covered with thin lilac or faint blue bloom, not very persistent, firm. Skin thick, tough, contains no pigment. Flesh moderately juicy, tough, nearly sweet at skin to decidedly acid at center, with no pronounced aroma, fair to good in quality. Seeds adhere to the pulp, large to medium, plump, broad to medium, intermediate in length, rather blunt.

1.Mag. Hort.,18:490, 522. 1852.2.Ib.,19:524, 542. 1853.3.Horticulturist,9:124, 188, 236, 399, 515. 1854.4.Mag. Hort.,20:63,fig., 431, 553. 1854.5.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1854.6.Ib.,1858:233.7.Grant,1864:7, 12.8.Gar. Mon.,11:39. 1869.9.Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1872:47.10.Bush. Cat.,1883:83, 84,fig., 147.11.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1891:335.12.Meehan’s Mon.,4:47. 1894.13.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:528, 540, 543, 544, 548, 552. 1898.14.Ev. Nat. Fruits,1898:72.15.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1900:360.16.Traité gen. de vit.,6:178. 1903.Bull’s Seedling(1).

Bull’s Seedling(1).

The Concord is known by all. The most widely grown of the grapes of this continent, it also represents the dominant type of our native species and with its offspring, pure-bred and cross-bred, furnishes seventy-five per ct. or more of the grapes of eastern America. In New York, approximately seventy-five per ct. of all the grapes grown are Concords alone. The preeminently meritorious character of Concord, which has enabled it to take first place in American viticulture, is the elasticity of its constitution whereby it adapts itself to varying conditions; thus the Concord is grown with more or less profit in every grape-growing State in the Union and to an extent not possible with any other grape. It succeeds on a greater number of soils than any other variety. In the Chautauqua grape region there are six distinct types of soil upon which grapes are grown and the Concord is the leading grape on each of them.

A second character which commends Concord as a commercial variety is its high degree of fruitfulness, as it gives large crops year in and year out. Added to the above points of superiority are hardiness; ability to withstand the ravages of both diseases and insects; comparative earliness and therefore certainty of maturity in northern regions; fair size of bunch and berry, good color, and an abundance of bloom, making a most handsomegrape. The Concord leaves out and blossoms somewhat late in the spring and does not therefore often suffer from spring frosts and the fruit is not easily injured by late frosts and hangs well on the vine.

The Concord is not, however, without faults. Its quality is not high, the grapes lack richness, delicacy of flavor and aroma, and have a foxy taste disagreeable to many; on the other hand, the fruit is sprightly and refreshing and does not cloy the appetite as do richer grapes. The seeds and skin of Concord are objectionable, the seeds being large and abundant and difficult to separate from the flesh and the skin is tough and unpleasantly astringent. The Concord does not keep nor ship well as compared with grapes having Vinifera blood and it rapidly loses flavor after ripening; the skin is inclined to crack and the berries to shell from the stems after picking. Concord is but slightly resistant to phylloxera and in calcareous soils is subject to chlorosis. It requires a rich soil and thrives best on a virgin soil; thus, in the Chautauqua region of this State, much concern is now felt because of the failing vineyards, most of which should not as yet have reached their prime. While Concord is grown in the South, it is essentially a northern grape, becoming susceptible to fungi in southern climates and suffering from phylloxera in dry, warm soils.

Concord is a table grape and, to use an oft quoted expression coined by Horace Greeley, it is “the grape for the millions.” It can be produced so cheaply that no other grape can compete with it in the markets. The dominance of Concord is not wholly desirable for viticulture, as by keeping out better varieties, the consumer is prevented from obtaining grapes high in quality; and by giving the grower a feeling of sufficiency in having this sort, other varieties do not receive the consideration they deserve. The variety is used somewhat for making red wines and a white wine as a base for champagne but it is a poor wine grape, as much sugar must be added to attain the amount of alcohol necessary for a good wine and the foxy taste is not a pleasant flavor. Grape juice is made almost entirely from Concords and during the past few years many carloads of grapes have been used in the Chautauqua region for this purpose.

CONCORDCONCORD

The botanical characters of Concord indicate that it is a pure-bred Labrusca; thus the seed with obscure raphe and chalaza, the pubescence on the under surface of the leaf, the flesh characters of the fruit, the continuoustendrils, the diaphragm, all belong toVitis labrusca. There are those, however, who maintain that it is possibly a Labrusca-Vinifera hybrid, basing their claim upon the upright stamens, the characters of some of the seedlings, and the opinion expressed by Bull that a Catawba vine growing near by had fertilized the seed from which Concord was raised.

Concord is a virile variety, having begotten a great number of valuable offspring, both as pure-breeds and as cross-breeds. To these it has seemingly transmitted its characters to a high degree. The reader who takes the pains to look them up will find that many of these, even of the pure-breeds, are white and that they are usually of higher quality than the parent, indicating a white ancestor of Concord in which high quality was possibly correlated with the light color.

The seed of a wild grape was planted in the fall of 1843 by E. W. Bull[173]of Concord, Massachusetts, from which fruit was borne in 1849. The wild grape from which the seed came had been transplanted from beside a field fence to the garden in which there was at least another grape, the Catawba, and the wild vine was open to cross-pollination. One of these seedlings was named Concord and the variety was exhibited before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in the fall of 1852. The new grape was introduced in the spring of 1854 by Hovey & Co., of Boston. From the time of its introduction the growth of this variety in popularity was phenomenal. In 1854, the year of its introduction, it was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog as one of the “new varieties which promise well.” In 1858 it was placed on the regular list of recommended sorts where it has since been retained. Husmann states, in the winter of 1855, that he secured buds at Hermann, Missouri, from Soulardof Galena, Illinois. In other words, its culture had spread halfway across the continent in the brief period of a year. Before 1860, vineyards of Concord had been planted in Chautauqua County, this State. In 1865 it was awarded a prize by the American Institute known as the Greeley prize, from its donor, Horace Greeley, as the best grape for general cultivation.

Vine vigorous to very vigorous, hardy, healthy, usually productive of heavy crops. Canes above medium length, of average number, above mean thickness, rather dark reddish-brown to brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes medium to long; diaphragm rather thick; pith large to medium; shoots pubescent; tendrils continuous, long, bifid, sometimes trifid.Leaf-buds medium to nearly large, short, below average thickness, conical to pointed, open in mid-season. Young leaves lightly tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side, prevailing color rose-carmine. Leaves large to medium, thick; upper surface dark green, slightly glossy, rather smooth; lower surface light bronze, heavily pubescent; veins distinct; lobes three when present, terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus variable averaging medium in depth and width; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus obscure and frequently notched; teeth shallow, medium to narrow. Flowers fertile, open in mid-season or earlier; stamens upright.Fruit ripens about mid-season, keeps from one to two months. Clusters rather uniform, large to medium, intermediate in length, wide, broadly tapering, usually single-shouldered, sometimes double-shouldered, medium to rather compact; peduncle short to medium, thick; pedicel of average length, thick, nearly smooth; brush intermediate in length, pale green. Berries medium to large, roundish, slightly glossy, black covered with abundant blue bloom, not always persistent, firm. Skin of average thickness, moderately tough, slightly adherent to pulp, contains a small amount of wine-colored pigment, somewhat astringent. Flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, rather fine-grained, somewhat tough and solid, slightly foxy, sweet at skin, inclined to tartness next the seeds, good in quality. Seeds rather adherent, one to four in number, average three, nearly large, broad, distinctly notched, plump, blunt, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of fair size, slightly above center, oval, nearly obscure. Must 70°-80°.

Leaf-buds medium to nearly large, short, below average thickness, conical to pointed, open in mid-season. Young leaves lightly tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side, prevailing color rose-carmine. Leaves large to medium, thick; upper surface dark green, slightly glossy, rather smooth; lower surface light bronze, heavily pubescent; veins distinct; lobes three when present, terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus variable averaging medium in depth and width; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus obscure and frequently notched; teeth shallow, medium to narrow. Flowers fertile, open in mid-season or earlier; stamens upright.

Fruit ripens about mid-season, keeps from one to two months. Clusters rather uniform, large to medium, intermediate in length, wide, broadly tapering, usually single-shouldered, sometimes double-shouldered, medium to rather compact; peduncle short to medium, thick; pedicel of average length, thick, nearly smooth; brush intermediate in length, pale green. Berries medium to large, roundish, slightly glossy, black covered with abundant blue bloom, not always persistent, firm. Skin of average thickness, moderately tough, slightly adherent to pulp, contains a small amount of wine-colored pigment, somewhat astringent. Flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, rather fine-grained, somewhat tough and solid, slightly foxy, sweet at skin, inclined to tartness next the seeds, good in quality. Seeds rather adherent, one to four in number, average three, nearly large, broad, distinctly notched, plump, blunt, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of fair size, slightly above center, oval, nearly obscure. Must 70°-80°.

1.Am. Jour. Hort.,4:327, 334. 1868.2.Horticulturist,26:22. 1871.3.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1879.4.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1881:36.5.Rural N. Y.,52:655. 1893.6.Ill. Sta. Bul.,28:253. 1893.7.Bush. Cat.,1894:108.8.Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1895:131.9.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:528, 545, 547, 554. 1898.10.Mich. Sta. Bul.,169:169. 1899.

COTTAGECOTTAGE

In vine and fruit Cottage greatly resembles its parent, Concord, having, however, remarkably large, thick, leathery leaves well shown in the color-plate.It is noted, too, for its strong, branching root system. With good foliage and good roots it is not surprising that it is a vigorous, thrifty grower—if anything surpassing its parent in vigor of growth. The canes are so rough as to be almost spiny indicating, seemingly, outbursts of growth-force. The Cottage is of better quality than its parent having far less foxiness and a richer, more delicate flavor. It is given credit, too, of being a better shipper and a better keeper and is from one to two weeks earlier. Its good qualities are offset, however, by the fact that it lacks in soil adaptability, is comparatively unproductive, and ripens unevenly. It blooms much earlier than Concord. Cottage is recommended as an early grape of the Concord type for the garden and a standard variety for northern localities. The variety is widely distributed in varietal vineyards.

Cottage is another of E. W. Bull’s seedlings, having been produced by him from seed of Concord. It was introduced in 1869 and in 1879 it was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog, where it has since been retained.

Vine vigorous, healthy, hardy, produces average crops. Canes often rough and hairy, long to medium, numerous, of fair thickness, rather dark brown, nodes slightly enlarged, not usually flattened; internodes intermediate in length; diaphragm thinnish; pith of average size; shoots very pubescent; tendrils continuous, of mean length, usually bifid.Leaf-buds small to medium, short, of fair thickness, conical to pointed, open moderately early. Young leaves tinged on lower side and faintly at the margin with red, making the prevailing color pale green with light carmine tinge. Leaves large, thick; upper surface dark green, glossy, smooth to slightly rugose; lower surface tinged with heavy bronze, with some pubescence; veins distinct; leaf usually not lobed, with terminus acute to acuminate; petiolar sinus usually deep and wide; teeth shallow, wide. Flowers fertile, open medium early; stamens upright.Fruit ripens one or two weeks earlier than Concord, does not keep well. Clusters above medium to small, below average length, moderately broad, cylindrical to slightly tapering, sometimes single-shouldered, rather compact; peduncle somewhat long, intermediate in size; pedicel short, thick, covered with few, inconspicuous, small warts, wide at point of attachment to berry; brush dark red. Berries of average size, roundish, dull black, not glossy, covered with heavy blue bloom, drop badly from pedicel, firm. Skin rather thick, somewhat tender, slightly adherent to pulp, contains considerable dark purplish-red pigment, slightly astringent. Flesh juicy, tough, rather solid, foxy, agreeablysweet next the skin, tart at seeds, good to medium. Seeds separate somewhat readily from pulp, numerous, one to four, often four, above medium in size, rather broad, intermediate in length, blunt, light brown; raphe does not show; chalaza rather large, usually at center, irregularly circular, obscure.

Leaf-buds small to medium, short, of fair thickness, conical to pointed, open moderately early. Young leaves tinged on lower side and faintly at the margin with red, making the prevailing color pale green with light carmine tinge. Leaves large, thick; upper surface dark green, glossy, smooth to slightly rugose; lower surface tinged with heavy bronze, with some pubescence; veins distinct; leaf usually not lobed, with terminus acute to acuminate; petiolar sinus usually deep and wide; teeth shallow, wide. Flowers fertile, open medium early; stamens upright.

Fruit ripens one or two weeks earlier than Concord, does not keep well. Clusters above medium to small, below average length, moderately broad, cylindrical to slightly tapering, sometimes single-shouldered, rather compact; peduncle somewhat long, intermediate in size; pedicel short, thick, covered with few, inconspicuous, small warts, wide at point of attachment to berry; brush dark red. Berries of average size, roundish, dull black, not glossy, covered with heavy blue bloom, drop badly from pedicel, firm. Skin rather thick, somewhat tender, slightly adherent to pulp, contains considerable dark purplish-red pigment, slightly astringent. Flesh juicy, tough, rather solid, foxy, agreeablysweet next the skin, tart at seeds, good to medium. Seeds separate somewhat readily from pulp, numerous, one to four, often four, above medium in size, rather broad, intermediate in length, blunt, light brown; raphe does not show; chalaza rather large, usually at center, irregularly circular, obscure.

1.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1858:225.2.Ib.,1860:79.3.Horticulturist,15:538. 1860.fig.4.Mag. Hort.,27:103. 1861.5.Horticulturist,17:141. 1862.6.Mag. Hort.,29:72. 1863.7.Mead,1867:163.8.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1867:45.9.Am. Jour. Hort.,4:60. 1868.10.Downing,1869:536.11.Am. Jour. Hort.,8:143. 1870.12.Gar. Mon.,13:214, 279. 1871.13.Bush. Cat.,1883:90.14.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:528, 540, 544, 548, 554. 1898.15.Ib.,18:374, 387, 395. 1899.16.Kan. Sta. Bul.,110:240. 1902.Bloom(2, 3, 5, 13).Bloomburg(10).Catawissa(5).Catawissa(2, 6, 13).Catawissa Bloom(10).Columbia Bloom(2, 4).Columbia County(10).Laura Beverly(9, 12).Laura Beverly?(10).

Bloom(2, 3, 5, 13).Bloomburg(10).Catawissa(5).Catawissa(2, 6, 13).Catawissa Bloom(10).Columbia Bloom(2, 4).Columbia County(10).Laura Beverly(9, 12).Laura Beverly?(10).

Creveling was long a favorite early black grape for the garden, where, if planted in good soil and kept well trained, it produces fine clusters of large, handsome, very good grapes of the Isabella type. Under any but the best of care, however, it is unproductive and sets loose, straggling bunches. The wood is soft, long-jointed, reddish in color, with a large pith and producing but few laterals. It is markedly self-sterile.

The origin of the Creveling is uncertain. It was first introduced to the public about 1857 by F. F. Merceron of Catawissa, Pennsylvania. It is said to have been in cultivation in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, some years previous to the date given. The name Creveling came from a family of that name, who cultivated the variety and may possibly have originated it. It was placed upon the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1867 and dropped from their list in 1899. It is still widely cultivated in varietal vineyards.

Vine vigorous, not quite hardy, usually not very productive. Canes long, above medium in number, rather thick, dark reddish-brown; nodes slightly enlarged, flattened; internodes medium to long; diaphragm thick; pith large; shoots glabrous; tendrils usually continuous, long, trifid to bifid.Leaf-buds rather large, short, thick, obtuse, open in mid-season. Young leaves tinged on upper and lower sides with rose-carmine. Leaves below medium to large, thick; upper surface dark green, dull, slightly rugose; lower surface pale green, rather pubescent; veins somewhat prominent; lobes usually three, sometimes obscurely five,terminal lobe acute to blunt; petiolar sinus deep to narrow, closed and sometimes overlapping; basal sinus very shallow when present; lateral sinus rather shallow, narrow; teeth shallow, of average width. Flowers sometimes on plan of six, sterile, open in mid-season or earlier; stamens reflexed.CREVELINGCREVELINGFruit ripens a few days later than Hartford, does not keep well. Clusters resemble Isabella in general appearance, good size, medium to long, rather broad, irregularly tapering, usually single-shouldered the shoulder often being connected to the cluster by a long stem, loose; peduncle long, rather slender, often with a distinct reddish tinge; pedicel variable in length, thick, usually with no warts, wide at point of attachment to berry; brush intermediate in length, thick, dark wine-color. Berries medium to large, oval, dull black, covered with heavy blue bloom, persistent, rather firm. Skin thick, tough, adheres considerably to the pulp, with a moderate amount of wine-colored pigment, astringent. Flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, very stringy, tender, coarse, somewhat foxy, sweet at skin to tart at center, good in quality. Seeds separate rather easily, one to five in number, average two or three, above medium in size, broad, slightly notched, intermediate in length, blunt, light brown; raphe shows as a narrow groove; chalaza of fair size, at center or slightly above, oval, obscure.

Leaf-buds rather large, short, thick, obtuse, open in mid-season. Young leaves tinged on upper and lower sides with rose-carmine. Leaves below medium to large, thick; upper surface dark green, dull, slightly rugose; lower surface pale green, rather pubescent; veins somewhat prominent; lobes usually three, sometimes obscurely five,terminal lobe acute to blunt; petiolar sinus deep to narrow, closed and sometimes overlapping; basal sinus very shallow when present; lateral sinus rather shallow, narrow; teeth shallow, of average width. Flowers sometimes on plan of six, sterile, open in mid-season or earlier; stamens reflexed.

CREVELINGCREVELING

Fruit ripens a few days later than Hartford, does not keep well. Clusters resemble Isabella in general appearance, good size, medium to long, rather broad, irregularly tapering, usually single-shouldered the shoulder often being connected to the cluster by a long stem, loose; peduncle long, rather slender, often with a distinct reddish tinge; pedicel variable in length, thick, usually with no warts, wide at point of attachment to berry; brush intermediate in length, thick, dark wine-color. Berries medium to large, oval, dull black, covered with heavy blue bloom, persistent, rather firm. Skin thick, tough, adheres considerably to the pulp, with a moderate amount of wine-colored pigment, astringent. Flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, very stringy, tender, coarse, somewhat foxy, sweet at skin to tart at center, good in quality. Seeds separate rather easily, one to five in number, average two or three, above medium in size, broad, slightly notched, intermediate in length, blunt, light brown; raphe shows as a narrow groove; chalaza of fair size, at center or slightly above, oval, obscure.

1.Am. Jour. Hort.,5:223, 224. 1869.fig.2.Am. Hort. An.,1870:91, 92.fig.3.Horticulturist,25:275. 1870.4.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1871:16.5.Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1872:546.fig.6.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1883:57.7.Bush. Cat.,1883:87.fig.8.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:528, 545, 547, 554. 1898.9.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:42, 51. 1901.

The Croton is a feast both to the eye and the palate. The accompanying color-plate does not do it justice as grown at its best, as it shows a loose, straggling bunch, a characteristic of the variety only when poorly grown. Unfortunately it has the fault of being difficult to grow well, being adapted to but few soils and proving unfruitful, weak in growth, precariously tender, and somewhat subject to mildew and rot in unfavorable situations. But when well grown the consensus of opinion among viticulturists is that it has few superiors among white grapes. It has a sweet, delicate Vinifera flavor, with melting flesh which readily separates from the few seeds. The fruit hangs on the vines until frost, and keeps well into the winter. The Croton is among green grapes what its parent, the Delaware, is among red grapes. In spite of its high quality it has never become widely distributed, failing utterly as a commercial variety, quality countingfor but little in grape markets. If this delicious fruit is to be saved to cultivation it must be by the hands of the amateur.

Croton came from Stephen W. Underhill[174]of Croton Point, New York, from seed of Delaware pollinated by Chasselas de Fontainbleau. The seed was planted in the spring of 1863 and the vine fruited for the first time in 1865. The grape was first exhibited at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society meeting in 1868. It was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1871 but was dropped in 1883, chiefly on account of its susceptibility to fungal diseases.

Vine medium to vigorous, often somewhat tender, usually productive, subject to disease in unfavorable locations. Canes long, numerous, thick, rather dark reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, usually not flattened; internodes medium to short; diaphragm very thick; pith large; shoots glabrous; tendrils intermittent, long, bifid.

CROTONCROTON

Leaf-buds large, prominent, long, of average thickness, conical, open late. Young leaves tinged on lower side and at margin of upper side with faint carmine. Foliage remains until late in the season; leaves of medium size, intermediate in thickness; upper surface light green, dull, nearly smooth to rugose; lower surface pale green, slightly cobwebby or hairy; veins indistinct; lobes five in number, terminal lobe blunt to acute; basal sinus of average depth, rather narrow; lateral sinus inclined to deep and nearly narrow; petiolar sinus medium deep, narrow, often closed and overlapping; teeth inclined to shallow, wide. Flowers fertile, open late; stamens upright.Fruit ripens in mid-season or later, keeps fairly well. Clusters not uniform, very large to medium, longish, rather slender, irregularly tapering, often with an unusually heavy single shoulder, very loose to medium; peduncle long, thick; pedicel somewhat long, thick, covered with few, small, inconspicuous warts; brush intermediate in length, greenish. Berries irregular in size averaging about medium, roundish to slightly elongated, light green, changing to yellowish-green, covered with thin gray bloom, persistent, slightly soft. Skin thin, rather tough, adheres very slightly to the pulp, contains no pigment. Flesh green, somewhat transparent, very juicy, melting, vinous, pleasant flavor, agreeably sweet, good to very good in quality. Seeds separate very easily from the flesh, one to three, above medium in size, slightly elongated, fair breadth, notched, rather sharply pointed, light brown; raphe obscure; chalaza small, above center, irregularly circular to oval, indistinct.

Fruit ripens in mid-season or later, keeps fairly well. Clusters not uniform, very large to medium, longish, rather slender, irregularly tapering, often with an unusually heavy single shoulder, very loose to medium; peduncle long, thick; pedicel somewhat long, thick, covered with few, small, inconspicuous warts; brush intermediate in length, greenish. Berries irregular in size averaging about medium, roundish to slightly elongated, light green, changing to yellowish-green, covered with thin gray bloom, persistent, slightly soft. Skin thin, rather tough, adheres very slightly to the pulp, contains no pigment. Flesh green, somewhat transparent, very juicy, melting, vinous, pleasant flavor, agreeably sweet, good to very good in quality. Seeds separate very easily from the flesh, one to three, above medium in size, slightly elongated, fair breadth, notched, rather sharply pointed, light brown; raphe obscure; chalaza small, above center, irregularly circular to oval, indistinct.

1.Prince,1830:191.2.U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt.,1845:939.3.Gar. Mon.,3:83. 1861.4.Am. Jour. Hort.,3:301. 1868.5.Grape Cult.,1:34, 75. 1869.6.Bush. Cat.,1883:87, 88. fig.7.Texas Farm and Ranch, Feb. 8,1896:11.8.Tex. Sta. Bul.,48:1149, 1155. 1898.9.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:38, 43, 45, 46, 50, 54. 1899.10.Traité gen. de vit.,6:268. 1903.Long(4, 6, 7, 9).Long No. 2(9).Prince Edward(1).

Long(4, 6, 7, 9).Long No. 2(9).Prince Edward(1).

The Cunningham is not known in New York and in fact has been cultivated but little in America, but in France at one time it was one of the best known American grapes, both as a direct producer and as a stock for European varieties. It is not now largely grown in France, however, having been superseded by better American varieties for the uses for which it was formerly cultivated. It was much sought for by the French as a stock for large Vinifera cions, the size of the vine giving an opportunity for making a good graft. In the South, Cunningham is not largely grown as there are several other varieties of its class superior to it in quality of fruit and in vine characters as well. It seems everywhere to have been an exceedingly capricious grower and very particular as to soil and climate.It is said to make a deep yellow wine of very good quality. It has little or no value as a table grape.

Cunningham originated in the garden of Jacob Cunningham of Prince Edward County, Virginia, about the year 1812. Cuttings of this vine were sent by Dr. D. N. Norton of Richmond to Prince in 1829. Prince introduced it to the public. Its botanical characters mark it as an offshoot of the Herbemont group of Bourquiniana.

The following description is a compilation from several sources:

Vine very vigorous, spreading, rather productive, somewhat suceptible to mildew. Canes large and long, with stiff reddish hairs at base; shoots showing considerable bloom; tendrils intermittent, usually trifid. Leaves large, rather thick, roundish, entire or slightly lobed; smooth and dark green above, yellowish-green below and slightly pubescent; petiolar sinus narrow, frequently overlapping. Clusters of medium size, long, sometimes shouldered, very compact; peduncle short, strong; pedicel long, slender. Berries small, purplish-black with thin, grayish bloom. Skin thin, tough with considerable underlying pigment. Flesh tender, juicy, sprightly or somewhat acidly sweet. Seeds two to five, rather oval; beak short; chalaza distinct; raphe showing as a ridge.

1.U. S. D. A. Rpt.,1863:548.2.Husmann,1866:103.3.Ib.,1866:104.4.Gar. Mon.,11:149. 1869.5.Grape Cult.,1:20, 239. 1869.6.Ib.,3:2. 1871.7.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1881:24.8.Bush. Cat.,1883:88.fig.9.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1891:127, 131.10.Ill. Sta. Bul.,28:253. 1893.11.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:38, 43, 45, 46, 50. 1899.12.Kan. Sta. Bul.,110:246. 1902.13.Traité gen. de vit.,6:274. 1903.Arkansas(3).Arkansas(8).Norton(13).Norton Virginia(13).Norton’s VirginiaSeedling(13).Red River(2, 5, 6, 8, 13).Vitis Nortoni(13).

Arkansas(3).Arkansas(8).Norton(13).Norton Virginia(13).Norton’s VirginiaSeedling(13).Red River(2, 5, 6, 8, 13).Vitis Nortoni(13).

Cynthiana is another southern grape impossible to grow in the North and therefore of but general interest for this work. There has long been a heated controversy as to whether this variety differs from Norton. The botanical differences between the two varieties are not greater than might be attributed to environment, soil, climate and culture; but side by side the two grapes ripen at different times, and the quality of the fruit, and more particularly of the wine, is such that the varieties must be considered as distinct. The distinction should be maintained for Cynthiana is the better grape of the two. It has been much grown in France for its intrinsic value and in the reconstruction of vineyards destroyed by phylloxera.

CYNTHIANACYNTHIANA

As the history given below shows, the variety is an old one but it, with Norton, was condemned by the early vineyardists because it could be propagated from cuttings only with the greatest difficulty. Like most of its species, Cynthiana is somewhat particular as to soil and location, preferring sandy or gravelly loams and not thriving on clays or limestones. While very resistant to phylloxera, it is not now much used as a resistant stock because of the superiority of varieties of Rupestris and because it is not easily propagated. It is very resistant to cryptogamic diseases, mildew, black-rot and anthracnose, and is a strong, vigorous grower. Its cycle of vegetation is long, the buds bursting forth early and the fruit maturing very late. It has no value as a table grape but according to theBushberg Catalogue[175]it is the best American grape for red wine. So, too, according to Viala,[176]the wine from Cynthiana is the best of all the red wines produced from American vines. It is said by French wine-makers[177]to contain “an excess of all the elements which constitute the best ordinary wines, color, tannin, acidity, and bouquet,” and therefore to make a splendid base for blending with wine from varieties lacking in the above elements.

Cynthiana was received, some time in the fifties by Prince of Flushing, Long Island, from Arkansas where it is said to have been found growing in the woods. It was sent by Prince to Husmann at Hermann, Missouri, where it did so well and was so highly spoken of by Husmann and his neighbors that it soon became known to grape-growers. It was placed upon the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1881, where it still remains. Like Norton, Cynthiana is often considered pure Aestivalis, although a strain of some other blood, probably Labrusca, is apparent. Because of the similarity of this variety and Norton the one is often grown as the other.

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