Vine vigorous, somewhat tender, resembling Norton in foliage except that the leaves are of a lighter color and somewhat more deeply lobed. Stamens erect. Clusters long and narrow, rather compact, rarely shouldered. Berries small, round, black with blue bloom; pulp tender, juicy, and of the characteristic spicy Aestivalis flavor. Must heavy and very fragrant, brownish-yellow making a wine the color of Brown Sherry or Madeira, of great body and fine flavor; registers 94°-105°.
Vine vigorous, somewhat tender, resembling Norton in foliage except that the leaves are of a lighter color and somewhat more deeply lobed. Stamens erect. Clusters long and narrow, rather compact, rarely shouldered. Berries small, round, black with blue bloom; pulp tender, juicy, and of the characteristic spicy Aestivalis flavor. Must heavy and very fragrant, brownish-yellow making a wine the color of Brown Sherry or Madeira, of great body and fine flavor; registers 94°-105°.
1.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1898:46.2.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1899:89.3.Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1904:228.4.Iowa Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1904: 228, 240, 241.5.Mich. Sta. Sp. Bul.,30:11. 1905.
1.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1898:46.2.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1899:89.3.Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1904:228.4.Iowa Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1904: 228, 240, 241.5.Mich. Sta. Sp. Bul.,30:11. 1905.
Hicks has proved itself a remarkably good grape in the vineyard of this Station, and were it not for the fact that the fruit is almost identical with that of Concord, ripening with it or but a little earlier, there certainly would be a place for it in the viticulture of the State. The fact that it was introduced some years ago and has not found great favor with growers is assumptive evidence that it cannot make headway against Concord with which it must compete. On the Station grounds it is more prolific than Concord and its vines are of stronger growth. The variety is well worthy a trial.
The origin of the Hicks is apparently unknown. It was introduced in 1898 by Henry Wallis of Wellston, Missouri, who states that it is a chance seedling sent from California about 1870 to Richard Berry, a well-known nurseryman of St. Louis County, Missouri. After Berry’s death it passed into the hands of Wallis, who named it Hicks. It is supposed from its characters to be of Concord parentage.
Vine vigorous to very vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes medium to long, numerous, of average thickness, moderately dark brown to reddish-brown, surface covered with thin blue bloom; tendrils continuous, bifid to trifid. Leaves large, medium to thick; upper surface dark green, slightly glossy, of average smoothness; lower surface whitish, changing to a rather heavy bronze, strongly pubescent; veins well defined. Flowers fertile or nearly so, open early; stamens upright.Fruit ripens with Concord or slightly earlier, keeps fairly well. Clusters large to medium, long to medium, broad, tapering, often single-shouldered, medium in compactness. Berries large, roundish, dark purplish-black to black, covered with heavy blue bloom, inclined to shatter somewhat when overripe, firm. Skin intermediate in thickness, tender, contains a small amount of very dark wine-colored pigment. Flesh greenish, juicy, rather tough, fine-grained, faintly foxy, sweet at skin to acid at center, mild when fully ripe, good in quality. Seeds somewhat adherent, above medium in size, short, broad, blunt, brownish; raphe buried in a rather broad groove; chalaza of average size, slightly above center, oval to circular.
Vine vigorous to very vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes medium to long, numerous, of average thickness, moderately dark brown to reddish-brown, surface covered with thin blue bloom; tendrils continuous, bifid to trifid. Leaves large, medium to thick; upper surface dark green, slightly glossy, of average smoothness; lower surface whitish, changing to a rather heavy bronze, strongly pubescent; veins well defined. Flowers fertile or nearly so, open early; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens with Concord or slightly earlier, keeps fairly well. Clusters large to medium, long to medium, broad, tapering, often single-shouldered, medium in compactness. Berries large, roundish, dark purplish-black to black, covered with heavy blue bloom, inclined to shatter somewhat when overripe, firm. Skin intermediate in thickness, tender, contains a small amount of very dark wine-colored pigment. Flesh greenish, juicy, rather tough, fine-grained, faintly foxy, sweet at skin to acid at center, mild when fully ripe, good in quality. Seeds somewhat adherent, above medium in size, short, broad, blunt, brownish; raphe buried in a rather broad groove; chalaza of average size, slightly above center, oval to circular.
1.Rural N. Y.,60:637. 1901.2.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1904:306.
1.Rural N. Y.,60:637. 1901.2.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1904:306.
Hidalgo is a comparatively recent addition to the list of grapes for table use. While it has not been tried generally, and is not widely known as yet, it is accorded a color-plate and a full description in this work chiefly because of its remarkably fine quality. It is rich and sweet, delicately flavored, yet sprightly, and with color, size and form of berry and bunch so well combined as to make it a singularly handsome fruit. The skin is thin but firm and the variety keeps well and ships well. The vine characters for this State are not well known. On the grounds of this Station it is doubtfully hardy, variable in vigor, and not always fruitful. While Hidalgo may not prove of value for the commercial vineyard, in favorable situations it may be expected to give a supply of choice fruit for the amateur.
The parentage of Hidalgo as given by its originator, T. V. Munson, is Delaware, Goethe and Lindley. The variety was introduced by the originator in 1902 and is now being tested in various parts of the country. The reports that come from those who have seen or grown Hidalgo agree in the main with the characterization given above and bespeak for it a high degree of popularity, at least as a table grape for the garden and possibly for the vineyard.
HIDALGOHIDALGO
Vine variable in vigor, not always hardy, somewhat uncertain in bearing. Canes intermediate in length and number, above average thickness, dark reddish-brown; nodes enlarged and flattened; internodes of fair length; diaphragm thick; pith medium to below in size; shoots slightly pubescent to nearly glabrous; tendrils intermittent to continuous, intermediate in length, bifid to trifid.Leaf-buds rather small and short, medium to slender, conical to pointed, open late. Young leaves faintly tinged on the under side only with rose-carmine. Leaves medium to large, often irregularly roundish, thick; upper surface light green, dull, medium to slightly rugose; lower surface pale green to bronze, heavily pubescent; veins distinct; lobes three when present with angle at terminus variable; petiolar sinus not uniform in depth, narrow, sometimes closed and overlapping; basal sinus usually none; lateral sinus shallow, narrow, often a mere notch; teeth very shallow, narrow to medium. Flowers semi-fertile, open after mid-season; stamens upright.Fruit ripens about with Concord, keeps and ships well. Clusters large but smaller than Niagara, long to medium, inclined to slender, cylindrical to slightly tapering, often blunt, usually not shouldered, one to two bunches per shoot, medium to compact; peduncle long and slender; pedicel long, moderately slender, covered with numerous small warts; brush of average size, not thick, yellowish-green with brown tinge. Berries above medium in size, inclined to oval, attractive greenish-yellow, rather glossy, covered with thin gray bloom, persistent, firm. Skin thin to medium, tough, adheres slightly to the pulp, contains no pigment, astringent. Flesh greenish-white, somewhat transparent, juicy, tender and melting, aromatic, sweet from skin to center, very good to best. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, two to four in number, average two, above medium in size, intermediate in length and breadth, plump, light brown; raphe obscure; chalaza large, slightly above center, irregularly circular, distinct.
Vine variable in vigor, not always hardy, somewhat uncertain in bearing. Canes intermediate in length and number, above average thickness, dark reddish-brown; nodes enlarged and flattened; internodes of fair length; diaphragm thick; pith medium to below in size; shoots slightly pubescent to nearly glabrous; tendrils intermittent to continuous, intermediate in length, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds rather small and short, medium to slender, conical to pointed, open late. Young leaves faintly tinged on the under side only with rose-carmine. Leaves medium to large, often irregularly roundish, thick; upper surface light green, dull, medium to slightly rugose; lower surface pale green to bronze, heavily pubescent; veins distinct; lobes three when present with angle at terminus variable; petiolar sinus not uniform in depth, narrow, sometimes closed and overlapping; basal sinus usually none; lateral sinus shallow, narrow, often a mere notch; teeth very shallow, narrow to medium. Flowers semi-fertile, open after mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens about with Concord, keeps and ships well. Clusters large but smaller than Niagara, long to medium, inclined to slender, cylindrical to slightly tapering, often blunt, usually not shouldered, one to two bunches per shoot, medium to compact; peduncle long and slender; pedicel long, moderately slender, covered with numerous small warts; brush of average size, not thick, yellowish-green with brown tinge. Berries above medium in size, inclined to oval, attractive greenish-yellow, rather glossy, covered with thin gray bloom, persistent, firm. Skin thin to medium, tough, adheres slightly to the pulp, contains no pigment, astringent. Flesh greenish-white, somewhat transparent, juicy, tender and melting, aromatic, sweet from skin to center, very good to best. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, two to four in number, average two, above medium in size, intermediate in length and breadth, plump, light brown; raphe obscure; chalaza large, slightly above center, irregularly circular, distinct.
1.Gar. Mon.,16:375. 1874.2.Horticulturist,29:329. 1874.3.Gar. Mon.,21:149. 1879.4.W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,27:29. 1882.5.Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1882-3:46.6.Bush. Cat.,1883:109.7.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,11:626. 1892.8.Ib.,17:531, 548, 552. 1898.9.Kan. Sta. Bul.,110:241. 1902.Ricketts’ No. 37(2).Ricketts’ No. 37(1, 6).
1.Gar. Mon.,16:375. 1874.2.Horticulturist,29:329. 1874.3.Gar. Mon.,21:149. 1879.4.W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,27:29. 1882.5.Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1882-3:46.6.Bush. Cat.,1883:109.7.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,11:626. 1892.8.Ib.,17:531, 548, 552. 1898.9.Kan. Sta. Bul.,110:241. 1902.
Ricketts’ No. 37(2).Ricketts’ No. 37(1, 6).
Highland has been on trial in New York for at least thirty years but has not become widely distributed, though few varieties of black grapes surpass it or equal it in appearance or in quality. The chief trouble has been that the variety is too late for New York, ripening with, or a little later than Catawba. When given good care and under favorable conditions the bunches are unusually large and handsome in appearance, sometimes attaining a weight of two pounds and having beautiful bluish-black berrieswith something of the fine flavor and tender texture of the Jura Muscat, one of its parents. The flesh is solid, and while the skin is thin, yet it is firm and the fruit keeps and ships well. The vine is fairly vigorous but doubtfully hardy and productive to a fault. In all localities where the climate is sufficiently temperate and the season sufficiently long for vine and fruit of Highland to develop perfectly, it is one of the choicest of grapes for the amateur.
This fine grape was originated at about the close of the Civil War by James H. Ricketts of Newburgh, New York, from seed of Concord fertilized by Jura Muscat. It was introduced by Messrs. Asher Hance & Sons, who bought it of the originator. It is very common in varietal vineyards but it has not become popular as a commercial sort; it is a popular grape for exhibitions where, when well grown, it is hardly surpassed in appearance by any other American grape.
Vine variable in vigor, productive, healthy, often inclined to overbear. Canes long, numerous, medium to thick, light and dark brown, often with a dull, ash-gray tinge, covered with thin bloom; nodes strongly enlarged, not flattened; internodes medium to very long; diaphragm thick; pith large to medium; shoots usually pubescent; tendrils intermittent, of average length, bifid to trifid.Leaf-buds large to medium, rather short and thick, obtuse to conical. Leaves large, intermediate in thickness, upper surface often dark green, dull, medium to rugose; lower surface grayish-green, pubescent; veins rather indistinct; lobes none to five, with terminal lobe acute to obtuse; petiolar sinus rather deep, variable in width; basal sinus shallow, narrow; lateral sinus of average depth and width, sometimes a mere notch; teeth rather deep and wide. Flowers fertile or nearly so, open in mid-season; stamens upright.Fruit ripens with Catawba or after, keeps fairly well. Clusters large, rather long and broad, tapering, usually single-shouldered but sometimes with a double shoulder, usually two bunches per shoot, intermediate in compactness; peduncle of average length and thickness; pedicel long to medium, moderately thick, nearly smooth; brush below average length, green with yellowish-brown tinge. Berries large, roundish-oval, dark purplish-black to bluish-black, rather dull, covered with dark lilac or slightly blue bloom, persistent, moderately firm. Skin intermediate in thickness, tough, nearly free from the pulp, contains little, if any, pigment, not astringent. Flesh greenish, translucent, juicy, somewhat tender, slightly vinous, good in quality. Seeds separate rather easily from the pulp, one to six, average three, above medium to large, nearly long, intermediate in breadth, slightly notched with a one-sided tendency, riper seeds brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of average size, above center, variable in shape, not distinct.
Vine variable in vigor, productive, healthy, often inclined to overbear. Canes long, numerous, medium to thick, light and dark brown, often with a dull, ash-gray tinge, covered with thin bloom; nodes strongly enlarged, not flattened; internodes medium to very long; diaphragm thick; pith large to medium; shoots usually pubescent; tendrils intermittent, of average length, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds large to medium, rather short and thick, obtuse to conical. Leaves large, intermediate in thickness, upper surface often dark green, dull, medium to rugose; lower surface grayish-green, pubescent; veins rather indistinct; lobes none to five, with terminal lobe acute to obtuse; petiolar sinus rather deep, variable in width; basal sinus shallow, narrow; lateral sinus of average depth and width, sometimes a mere notch; teeth rather deep and wide. Flowers fertile or nearly so, open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens with Catawba or after, keeps fairly well. Clusters large, rather long and broad, tapering, usually single-shouldered but sometimes with a double shoulder, usually two bunches per shoot, intermediate in compactness; peduncle of average length and thickness; pedicel long to medium, moderately thick, nearly smooth; brush below average length, green with yellowish-brown tinge. Berries large, roundish-oval, dark purplish-black to bluish-black, rather dull, covered with dark lilac or slightly blue bloom, persistent, moderately firm. Skin intermediate in thickness, tough, nearly free from the pulp, contains little, if any, pigment, not astringent. Flesh greenish, translucent, juicy, somewhat tender, slightly vinous, good in quality. Seeds separate rather easily from the pulp, one to six, average three, above medium to large, nearly long, intermediate in breadth, slightly notched with a one-sided tendency, riper seeds brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of average size, above center, variable in shape, not distinct.
HIGHLANDHIGHLAND
1.Can. Hort.,11:287. 1888.2.Rural N. Y.,49:737,fig., 739, 856. 1890.3.U. S. D. A. Rpt.,1892:264.4.Bush. Cat.,1894:138.5.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1894:75.6.Mich. Sta. Bul.,169:171. 1899.7.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:45. 1901.Hosford’s Mammoth Seedling(2).Hosford’s Seedling(1).
1.Can. Hort.,11:287. 1888.2.Rural N. Y.,49:737,fig., 739, 856. 1890.3.U. S. D. A. Rpt.,1892:264.4.Bush. Cat.,1894:138.5.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1894:75.6.Mich. Sta. Bul.,169:171. 1899.7.Ga. Sta. Bul.,53:45. 1901.
Hosford’s Mammoth Seedling(2).Hosford’s Seedling(1).
Hosford is an offspring of Concord, differing from the parent chiefly in the greater size of bunch and berry and in being less fruitful. The variety is surpassed by Worden and Eaton, of the same type, and is probably not worth cultivation. It is claimed by some that this variety is identical with Eaton. It is true that Hosford has a marked resemblance to Eaton but there are noticeable differences in both vine and fruit characters and the pure seedlings of the two varieties are entirely different, those of Eaton being much darker in color and more vigorous. Hosford was sent out several years before Eaton. The vine of this variety looks very much like Concord except that the indentations along the margins of the leaves are deeper.
As a rule the black seedlings of Concord which have been introduced are larger in cluster and berry than the parent and either not as high in quality or no higher, differing materially from Concord’s light-colored seedlings, which are usually smaller in bunch and berry, or at least not larger, and of distinctly better quality. Hosford is a typical black seedling in the above respects.
This variety originated in the garden of George Hosford of Ionia, Michigan. It was found by the owner about 1876 as a chance seedling growing between two Concord vines.
Vine not very vigorous, nearly hardy, unproductive. Canes short, few in number, rather slender; tendrils continuous, bifid to trifid. Leaves medium to below in size, intermediate in thickness; lower surface grayish-white to bronze, heavily pubescent. Flowers semi-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright. Fruit ripens shortly before Concord, does not keep very well. Clusters medium to large, tapering, slightly shouldered, moderately compact. Berries large to medium, roundish to slightly oval, dull black covered with abundant blue bloom, persistent. Skin medium to thick, tender. Flesh very pale green, unusually juicy, fine-grained, rather tender, vinous, sweet, good in quality. Seeds not numerous, nearly large, very broad, blunt, plump.
Vine not very vigorous, nearly hardy, unproductive. Canes short, few in number, rather slender; tendrils continuous, bifid to trifid. Leaves medium to below in size, intermediate in thickness; lower surface grayish-white to bronze, heavily pubescent. Flowers semi-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright. Fruit ripens shortly before Concord, does not keep very well. Clusters medium to large, tapering, slightly shouldered, moderately compact. Berries large to medium, roundish to slightly oval, dull black covered with abundant blue bloom, persistent. Skin medium to thick, tender. Flesh very pale green, unusually juicy, fine-grained, rather tender, vinous, sweet, good in quality. Seeds not numerous, nearly large, very broad, blunt, plump.
1.Am. Vines,1903:190.Franc’s Hybrid(1).
1.Am. Vines,1903:190.
Franc’s Hybrid(1).
Hybrid Franc is illustrated and described in full inThe Grapes of New Yorkbecause it is the best known cross between Rupestris and Vinifera. It is one of the few varieties used in Europe as a resistant stock now recommended for a direct producer. The vine characters are seemingly all good,—hardy, vigorous and very productive. The fruit is fit only for wine being too acid for a table grape. The coloring matter in the fruit is very intense and it might be used for giving color to wines. Hybrid Franc is of much interest to the grape-breeder, and experiments with it as a parent are desirable for New York. The variety is of French origin.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes variable in length, numerous, thick to medium, light brown, covered with slight blue bloom; nodes enlarged, roundish; internodes very short; diaphragm thin; pith unusually large; shoots glabrous; tendrils intermittent, often rather long, bifid to trifid.Leaf-buds large to medium, short, above average thickness, obtuse to conical, open moderately late. Young leaves tinged on upper and lower sides with carmine; the tips of the buds in opening show strongly the leaf serrations. Leaves very small to medium, rather thin; upper surface light green, decidedly glossy, smooth; lower surface greenish, showing Riparia characters, quite hairy along ribs and larger veins; lobes usually three to five with terminal lobe acute to acuminate; petiolar sinus intermediate in depth, narrow to medium, sometimes closed and overlapping; basal sinus of average depth and width; lateral sinus medium in depth to a mere notch; teeth intermediate in depth and width. Flowers semi-fertile, open early; stamens upright.Fruit ripens before mid-season, does not always keep well. Clusters medium to below in size, short, intermediate in breadth, tapering to cylindrical, usually single-shouldered, average three bunches per shoot, medium to compact; peduncle below medium length, rather slender; pedicel long, slender, covered with few, small, inconspicuous warts; brush short, wine-colored. Berries below medium to small, uniform, slightly oblate to roundish, black, glossy, covered with thick, blue bloom, persistent, firm. Skin thin, tender, does not adhere to the pulp, contains a very dark wine-colored pigment, not astringent. Flesh pale green, often with a slight reddish tinge, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, somewhat tender, spicy, tart to acid, fair in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, one to five, average three and four, medium to small, rather short, intermediate in breadth, light brown; raphe obscure; chalaza of average size, slightly above center, oval to pear-shaped, distinct.
Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes variable in length, numerous, thick to medium, light brown, covered with slight blue bloom; nodes enlarged, roundish; internodes very short; diaphragm thin; pith unusually large; shoots glabrous; tendrils intermittent, often rather long, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds large to medium, short, above average thickness, obtuse to conical, open moderately late. Young leaves tinged on upper and lower sides with carmine; the tips of the buds in opening show strongly the leaf serrations. Leaves very small to medium, rather thin; upper surface light green, decidedly glossy, smooth; lower surface greenish, showing Riparia characters, quite hairy along ribs and larger veins; lobes usually three to five with terminal lobe acute to acuminate; petiolar sinus intermediate in depth, narrow to medium, sometimes closed and overlapping; basal sinus of average depth and width; lateral sinus medium in depth to a mere notch; teeth intermediate in depth and width. Flowers semi-fertile, open early; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens before mid-season, does not always keep well. Clusters medium to below in size, short, intermediate in breadth, tapering to cylindrical, usually single-shouldered, average three bunches per shoot, medium to compact; peduncle below medium length, rather slender; pedicel long, slender, covered with few, small, inconspicuous warts; brush short, wine-colored. Berries below medium to small, uniform, slightly oblate to roundish, black, glossy, covered with thick, blue bloom, persistent, firm. Skin thin, tender, does not adhere to the pulp, contains a very dark wine-colored pigment, not astringent. Flesh pale green, often with a slight reddish tinge, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, somewhat tender, spicy, tart to acid, fair in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, one to five, average three and four, medium to small, rather short, intermediate in breadth, light brown; raphe obscure; chalaza of average size, slightly above center, oval to pear-shaped, distinct.
HYBRID FRANCHYBRID FRANC
1.Kan. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1886:187.2.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1890:155.3.Ib.,1891:128.4.Bush. Cat.,1894:140.5.Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1897:16.6.Va. Sta. Bul.,94:137. 1898.7.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:39, 42, 44, 46, 55. 1899.8.Budd-Hansen,2:380. 1902.Burr No. 9(1).
1.Kan. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1886:187.2.Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1890:155.3.Ib.,1891:128.4.Bush. Cat.,1894:140.5.Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1897:16.6.Va. Sta. Bul.,94:137. 1898.7.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:39, 42, 44, 46, 55. 1899.8.Budd-Hansen,2:380. 1902.
Burr No. 9(1).
Ideal is a handsome seedling of the Delaware, from which it differs chiefly in being much larger in bunch and berry, attaining in both of these characters nearly the size of Catawba. In Kansas and Missouri it is most highly recommended, not only for the high quality of the fruit, ranking with Delaware in quality, but because of vigorous, healthy, productive vines. But in New York, on the Station grounds at least, the vines are precariously hardy and not sufficiently fruitful, healthy nor vigorous to warrant a very high recommendation for the variety. Were the variety of recent introduction it might be recommended for trial but it has been grown for more than twenty years and has, therefore, been well tried and has not proved of general value. It may be worth planting for home use.
Originated by John Burr of Leavenworth, Kansas, over thirty years ago from seed of Delaware, the attention of the public was attracted to Ideal about 1890, first by glowing descriptions of the variety from the originator and his friend and co-worker, Dr. Stayman, and later by reports from various persons who had tested the variety. It does not appear to have ever been regularly introduced but was sent to various persons for testing by whom it was distributed. It is now found only in the occasional variety vineyard and apparently not offered for sale by any nurserymen. Ideal is better known, and possibly succeeds better in the West than in the East.
Vine medium to vigorous, not always hardy, productive, but yielding smaller crops than Concord; tendrils intermittent, bifid to trifid. Canes long, numerous, rather slender. Leaves medium to large, variable in color; lower surface pale green, slightly pubescent and cobwebby. Fruit ripens about with Delaware, keeps only fairly well. Clusters large to above medium, long to medium, often rather broad and heavily shouldered, intermediate in compactness. Berries large, roundish, attractive dark red, covered with abundant lilac bloom, often with tinge of blue, usually persistent, firm. Flesh greenish, moderately tender, aromatic, nearly sweet next the skin to acid at center, good to very good in quality. Seeds adherent, large, plump.
Vine medium to vigorous, not always hardy, productive, but yielding smaller crops than Concord; tendrils intermittent, bifid to trifid. Canes long, numerous, rather slender. Leaves medium to large, variable in color; lower surface pale green, slightly pubescent and cobwebby. Fruit ripens about with Delaware, keeps only fairly well. Clusters large to above medium, long to medium, often rather broad and heavily shouldered, intermediate in compactness. Berries large, roundish, attractive dark red, covered with abundant lilac bloom, often with tinge of blue, usually persistent, firm. Flesh greenish, moderately tender, aromatic, nearly sweet next the skin to acid at center, good to very good in quality. Seeds adherent, large, plump.
1.Horticulturist,29:328. 1874.2.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1875:114.3.W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1891:45.4.Bush. Cat.,1894:140.No. 93 A(1).
1.Horticulturist,29:328. 1874.2.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1875:114.3.W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1891:45.4.Bush. Cat.,1894:140.
No. 93 A(1).
Although introduced nearly forty years ago, Imperial is still little known and does not appear to have especial value. Perhaps its most valuable character is hardiness as it is reputed to be as hardy as Concord which, for a grape having its proportion of Vinifera blood, is the exception. In appearance and quality Imperial is very good and were its vine characters better, and were there not so many excellent green grapes of its season with which it must compete, the variety would be more generally cultivated.
Imperial is a seedling of Iona fertilized by Sarbelle Muscat and was raised by J. H. Ricketts of Newburgh, New York, over thirty years ago. The following description has been compiled from various sources:
Vine vigorous, healthy, hardy. Leaves large, attractive green. Fruit ripens late. Clusters large, symmetrical, slightly shouldered, rather compact. Berries large, greenish-white, covered with considerable bloom. Flesh tender, juicy, vinous, sprightly, not high in flavor but agreeable, good to very good in quality. Seeds small, not numerous.
Vine vigorous, healthy, hardy. Leaves large, attractive green. Fruit ripens late. Clusters large, symmetrical, slightly shouldered, rather compact. Berries large, greenish-white, covered with considerable bloom. Flesh tender, juicy, vinous, sprightly, not high in flavor but agreeable, good to very good in quality. Seeds small, not numerous.
1.Horticulturist,18:313. 1863.2.Mag. Hort.,29:420. 1863.3.Grant,Descript. Cat.,1864:8, 9, 18, 19, 21, 32.4.Grant,Grape Vines,1864:1, 2, 3, 5, 11, 12.5.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1867:44.6.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1867:105.7.Iowa Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1867:108.8.Am. Jour. Hort.,5:15, 187, 298, 299. 1869.9.Horticulturist,25:186. 1870.10.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1871:69.11.Horticulturist,29:20, 245. 1874.12.Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1875:355.13.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1881:39.14.Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1881:222.15.W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,31:120. 1886.16.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,9:328. 1890.17.Col. Sta. Bul.,29:21. 1894.18.Bush. Cat., 1894:140.19.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:531, 548, 552, 555, 559. 1898.20.Va. Sta. Bul.,94:137. 1898.21.Miss. Sta. Bul.,56:15. 1899.22.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:39, 43, 44, 45, 51, 76. 1899.
1.Horticulturist,18:313. 1863.2.Mag. Hort.,29:420. 1863.3.Grant,Descript. Cat.,1864:8, 9, 18, 19, 21, 32.4.Grant,Grape Vines,1864:1, 2, 3, 5, 11, 12.5.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1867:44.6.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1867:105.7.Iowa Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1867:108.8.Am. Jour. Hort.,5:15, 187, 298, 299. 1869.9.Horticulturist,25:186. 1870.10.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1871:69.11.Horticulturist,29:20, 245. 1874.12.Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1875:355.13.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1881:39.14.Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1881:222.15.W. N. Y. Hort. Soc. Rpt.,31:120. 1886.16.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,9:328. 1890.17.Col. Sta. Bul.,29:21. 1894.18.Bush. Cat., 1894:140.19.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:531, 548, 552, 555, 559. 1898.20.Va. Sta. Bul.,94:137. 1898.21.Miss. Sta. Bul.,56:15. 1899.22.Mo. Sta. Bul.,46:39, 43, 44, 45, 51, 76. 1899.
IONAIONA
Iona is probably surpassed in delicacy and sprightliness of flavor, in keeping quality, and for making certain wines, as champagne, by few, if any, other American grapes. In spite of these several good qualities it has never been very generally grown, chiefly for the reason that it requires more care than commercial grape-growers are willing to give grapes, though, beside requiring the best of care, its cultivation is hindered by severalserious faults. Iona rivals Delaware as the standard in quality of American grapes, though if flavor alone be considered, grape connoisseurs generally agree that it surpasses Delaware and is the finest flavored of all our grapes.
In flavor Iona has a rare combination of sweetness and acidity, pure, delicate and vinous. The flesh is transparent, melting, tender, juicy, and of uniform consistence quite to the center. The seeds are few and small and part readily from the flesh. The color is a peculiar dark-red wine with a tint of amethyst, somewhat variable and not always attractive. The bunch, at its best, is large but rather loose with berries varying somewhat in size and ripening unevenly. It cannot be called a particularly handsome grape. The fruit does not decay readily and may be kept in a good fruit room until late winter without loss of flavor and with the berries adhering to the bunch. Beside being a most excellent table grape, it is much sought for by wine-makers for champagne and for making finely-flavored white wines.
The vine characters of Iona are not nearly as good as those of the fruit. To do well it must have a soil exactly suited to its wants. Seemingly it does best in deep, dry, sandy or gravelly clays and cannot be grown in damp, rich, black soils on the one hand nor poor sands or gravels on the other. Vergil’s lines as to the treatment of soils for vines are especially applicable to the Iona.
“A free loose earth is what the vines demand,Where wind and frost have help’d the lab’rer’s hand,And sturdy peasants deep have stirr’d the land.”
“A free loose earth is what the vines demand,Where wind and frost have help’d the lab’rer’s hand,And sturdy peasants deep have stirr’d the land.”
“A free loose earth is what the vines demand,Where wind and frost have help’d the lab’rer’s hand,And sturdy peasants deep have stirr’d the land.”
This variety does especially well when trained against walls or buildings, attaining under such conditions rare perfection. It is not hardy in any but favored localities in New York and in many parts of the State must have careful winter protection. The vines are not vigorous and are inclined to overbear, to remedy which it must have close pruning, or be grafted on a strong growing stock. In localities where mildew and rot thrive Iona is badly attacked by these diseases. The vines bear early and the fruit ripens at mid-season or shortly after. Iona is a grape for the amateur and for the careful vineyardist. Few varieties are more desirable or satisfactoryfor the garden when planted in soils to which it is adapted, when given good care, properly protected from cold, and the vines restrained from overbearing.
Iona was originated by Dr. C. W. Grant[192]of Iona Island, Westchester County, New York, and the name commemorates the scene of the viticultural labors of one of the founders of American viticulture. Grant states that Iona is from seed of Diana planted in 1855, the plant from which fruited for the first time four years later. Caywood, however, says that Grant informed him that it was found growing as a chance seedling under a Catawba vine. Since Diana is a seedling of Catawba there is too little difference in the character of the older varieties to enable one to tell from which Iona came. This variety[193]was awarded the Greeley prize of $100, offered by Horace Greeley during the Civil War for a grape adapted to general cultivation in the Eastern and Middle States. The requirements which a variety had to possess to secure this prize were certainly sufficiently high; it was asked that the vine should be as hardy, healthy and vigorous as the strongest American vine and the fruit of a quality equal to the best European. Such a grape would be a boon to European as well as to American grape-growers. Though the prize went to Iona it must not be thought that it meets these requirements.
Iona was introduced by the originator in 1864. It was overpraised, extensively advertised, and for some time the prices of vines were kept atan exorbitant figure from which there was a reaction detrimental to the variety. It was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1867. Probably no American variety has been the subject of more caustic discussions than this one and it is only within the last few years that its merits could be impartially estimated. Iona was extensively tried in all the grape regions of America but has been generally dropped as a commercial grape. It is still to be found in all varietal vineyards, in occasional commercial plantings and somewhat commonly in gardens.
Vine medium to weak, precariously hardy, unproductive, often susceptible to attacks of mildew. Canes short to medium, of average number and size, light brown; nodes enlarged, roundish; internodes short; diaphragm thick; pith nearly intermediate in size; shoots show some pubescence; tendrils intermittent, of average length, bifid.Leaf-buds about medium in size, short to medium, thick, conical to pointed, open very late. Young leaves tinged on under side and along margin of upper side with carmine; often heavily coated with thick, whitish pubescence. Leaves of average size, thick; upper surface light green, dull, smooth to medium; lower surface grayish-green, heavily pubescent, somewhat cobwebby; veins indistinct; lobes three to five with terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus intermediate in depth and width; basal sinus shallow, medium to wide; lateral sinus shallow, wide; teeth not deep, of average width. Flowers nearly fertile, open late; stamens upright.Fruit ripens later than Concord, keeps well. Clusters above medium to small, sometimes double-shouldered, intermediate in length, somewhat slender, slightly tapering to conical, medium to loose; peduncle short and slender; pedicel intermediate in length, slender, nearly smooth, enlarged at point of attachment to fruit; brush of average length, not thick, pale green. Berries intermediate in size, uniform, oval to nearly roundish, dull, light and dark red, covered with thin lilac bloom, persistent, firm. Skin of medium thickness, tough, adheres considerably to the pulp, contains no pigment, slightly astringent. Flesh greenish, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender and melting, vinous, very good in quality. Seeds separate easily, one to four in number, average three, small and broad, plump, brownish; raphe usually obscure but sometimes distinct; chalaza small, nearly central, circular, distinct. Must 88°-100°.
Vine medium to weak, precariously hardy, unproductive, often susceptible to attacks of mildew. Canes short to medium, of average number and size, light brown; nodes enlarged, roundish; internodes short; diaphragm thick; pith nearly intermediate in size; shoots show some pubescence; tendrils intermittent, of average length, bifid.
Leaf-buds about medium in size, short to medium, thick, conical to pointed, open very late. Young leaves tinged on under side and along margin of upper side with carmine; often heavily coated with thick, whitish pubescence. Leaves of average size, thick; upper surface light green, dull, smooth to medium; lower surface grayish-green, heavily pubescent, somewhat cobwebby; veins indistinct; lobes three to five with terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus intermediate in depth and width; basal sinus shallow, medium to wide; lateral sinus shallow, wide; teeth not deep, of average width. Flowers nearly fertile, open late; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens later than Concord, keeps well. Clusters above medium to small, sometimes double-shouldered, intermediate in length, somewhat slender, slightly tapering to conical, medium to loose; peduncle short and slender; pedicel intermediate in length, slender, nearly smooth, enlarged at point of attachment to fruit; brush of average length, not thick, pale green. Berries intermediate in size, uniform, oval to nearly roundish, dull, light and dark red, covered with thin lilac bloom, persistent, firm. Skin of medium thickness, tough, adheres considerably to the pulp, contains no pigment, slightly astringent. Flesh greenish, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender and melting, vinous, very good in quality. Seeds separate easily, one to four in number, average three, small and broad, plump, brownish; raphe usually obscure but sometimes distinct; chalaza small, nearly central, circular, distinct. Must 88°-100°.
1.Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1882-3:131.2.Gar. and For.,5:597. 1892.3.Ill. Sta. Bul.,28:254. 1893.4.Gar. and For.,7:509. 1894.5.Bush. Cat.,1894:140.Ash(1, 4, 5).Diogenes(5).Pearson’s Ironclad(4).Pearson’s Ironclad(5).Scott(4, 5).
1.Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt.,1882-3:131.2.Gar. and For.,5:597. 1892.3.Ill. Sta. Bul.,28:254. 1893.4.Gar. and For.,7:509. 1894.5.Bush. Cat.,1894:140.
Ash(1, 4, 5).Diogenes(5).Pearson’s Ironclad(4).Pearson’s Ironclad(5).Scott(4, 5).
Ironclad is of interest because of its history, and because of its possible value for breeding purposes. If the history given below is correct, this variety is one of the oldest of our cultivated grapes. From the accounts of those who have grown it, Ironclad is as free from mildew and rot, in fruit at least, as any of our cultivated native grapes. It is also very resistant to phylloxera and has been used somewhat in France and Spain as a resistant stock for Vinifera. It is also extremely vigorous and hardy and is very productive. The fruit is not of sufficiently high quality nor attractive enough in appearance to make a good table grape but it is said to make very excellent wine, the juice having color and body enough to make it of value for adding color to lighter colored musts. Ironclad is a very capricious bearer and especially so on rampant growing vines, one of the faults of the variety being that it makes too rank a growth.
The history of this grape, as given by A. W. Pearson of Vineland, New Jersey, is as follows: In 1873 Pearson secured from Colonel Scott, then president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, cuttings of a vine growing on the latter’s grounds, near Darby about seven miles west of Philadelphia. Scott’s gardener reported the vine to be free from rot and Pearson, who had named the variety Scott, changed the name to Ironclad when he found the gardener’s report as to rot verified. On investigation Pearson found that the variety was over two hundred years old, and that it had been cultivated locally under the name of Ash, from a former owner of the Scott place and an ancestor of Pearson. This account is not fully corroborated by early horticultural writers but appears to be sufficiently accurate to give the variety historical interest. Ironclad is said to be a hybrid between Labrusca and Riparia and its botanical characters justify such a supposition.
IRONCLADIRONCLAD
Vine a rank grower, hardy, productive. Canes long, numerous, thick to slender, dark reddish-brown; nodes of average size, flattened; internodes medium to long;diaphragm thin; pith large to medium; shoots glabrous; tendrils continuous, of fair length, bifid to sometimes trifid.Leaf-buds small, short, slender to medium, conical to pointed. Leaves of medium size, intermediate in thickness; upper surface dark green, somewhat glossy, smoothish; lower surface pale green, slightly pubescent; veins rather distinct; lobes none to three with terminal lobe acute to acuminate; petiolar sinus intermediate in depth and width; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus shallow, usually wide; teeth intermediate in depth and width. Flowers open early; stamens reflexed.Fruit ripens about with Concord but colors early, appears to keep well. Clusters small and short, slightly tapering, sometimes single-shouldered, variable in compactness; peduncle short, inclined to slender; pedicel short, slender to medium, covered with numerous inconspicuous warts; brush short, of average thickness, dark wine color. Berries irregular in size, averaging small, roundish to slightly oblate, jet-black, glossy, covered slightly with blue bloom, usually persistent, firm. Skin intermediate in thickness, tough, adheres slightly to the pulp, contains a large amount of dark purplish-red pigment, not astringent. Flesh greenish, with distinct tinge of red, rather transparent, moderately juicy, somewhat tender, fine-grained, spicy, sweet to agreeably tart at center, not good enough in quality for dessert purposes. Seeds separate from the pulp somewhat easily, one to four in number, average two, intermediate in size and breadth, short to medium, sharp-pointed, dark brownish; raphe buried in a shallow, narrow groove; chalaza large with surface roughened and warty, central to slightly above, irregularly pear-shaped, distinct.
Vine a rank grower, hardy, productive. Canes long, numerous, thick to slender, dark reddish-brown; nodes of average size, flattened; internodes medium to long;diaphragm thin; pith large to medium; shoots glabrous; tendrils continuous, of fair length, bifid to sometimes trifid.
Leaf-buds small, short, slender to medium, conical to pointed. Leaves of medium size, intermediate in thickness; upper surface dark green, somewhat glossy, smoothish; lower surface pale green, slightly pubescent; veins rather distinct; lobes none to three with terminal lobe acute to acuminate; petiolar sinus intermediate in depth and width; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus shallow, usually wide; teeth intermediate in depth and width. Flowers open early; stamens reflexed.
Fruit ripens about with Concord but colors early, appears to keep well. Clusters small and short, slightly tapering, sometimes single-shouldered, variable in compactness; peduncle short, inclined to slender; pedicel short, slender to medium, covered with numerous inconspicuous warts; brush short, of average thickness, dark wine color. Berries irregular in size, averaging small, roundish to slightly oblate, jet-black, glossy, covered slightly with blue bloom, usually persistent, firm. Skin intermediate in thickness, tough, adheres slightly to the pulp, contains a large amount of dark purplish-red pigment, not astringent. Flesh greenish, with distinct tinge of red, rather transparent, moderately juicy, somewhat tender, fine-grained, spicy, sweet to agreeably tart at center, not good enough in quality for dessert purposes. Seeds separate from the pulp somewhat easily, one to four in number, average two, intermediate in size and breadth, short to medium, sharp-pointed, dark brownish; raphe buried in a shallow, narrow groove; chalaza large with surface roughened and warty, central to slightly above, irregularly pear-shaped, distinct.
1.Amer. Farmer,5:241. 1823.2.Ib.,9:221, 294, 309, 325. 1827.3.Sou. Agr.,2:552. 1829.4.Prince,1830:165.5.Spooner,1846:13, 29, 49.6.Horticulturist,6:410, 412. 1851.7.U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt.,1851:48-51.8.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1852:54.9.Horticulturist,15:73. 1860.10.Gar. Mon.,2:156, 265. 1860.11.Ib.,5:73, 74. 1863.12.N. Y. Agr. Soc. Rpt.,1864:42, 45, 141.13.Mag. Hort.,31:107, 157. 1865.14.Husmann,1866:18, 79, 122.15.Downing,1869:542.16.Grape Cult.,2:76. 1870.17.Ib.,3:67, 103. 1871.18.Gar. Mon.,14:105, 167, 296. 1872.19.Horticulturist,29:20, 245. 1874.20.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1883:57, 124, 128.21.Bush. Cat.,1883:110.22.Rural N. Y.,50:418, 482. 1891.23.Ill. Sta. Bul.,28:255. 1893.24.Kan. Sta. Bul.,44:116. 1893.25.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,15:432, 433. 1896.26.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:531, 541, 544, 548, 552. 1898.27.Ala. Sta. Bul.,110:83. 1900.28.Rural N. Y.,59:719, 722. 1900.fig.29.Traité gen. de vit.,5:203. 1903.Alexander(29).Black Cape(29).Cape(29).Captraube(29).Champania(29).Cherokee?(11).Christie’s Improved Isabella(15, 21, 29).Conckling’s Wilding(11).Constantia(29).Dorchester(1).Framboisier(29).Garber’s Red-Fox(29).Gibb’s grape(4, 11, 18).Hanover(southern) (11).Hensell’s Long Island(11).Isabella(1).Isabelle d’Amerique(29).Lespeyre(2, 10, 11, 18).New Hanover(11).Paign’s Isabella(15, 21, 29).Payne’s Early(11, 15, 21, 29).Raisin de Cassis(29).Raisin du Cap(29).Raisin Fraise(29).Raisin Framboise(29).Sainte-Helene(29).Saluda(11).Sanbornton?(15, 21, 29).Schuylkill?(29).Uva Fragola(29).Vernet(6, 11, 18).Woodward(15, 21, 29).
1.Amer. Farmer,5:241. 1823.2.Ib.,9:221, 294, 309, 325. 1827.3.Sou. Agr.,2:552. 1829.4.Prince,1830:165.5.Spooner,1846:13, 29, 49.6.Horticulturist,6:410, 412. 1851.7.U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt.,1851:48-51.8.Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.,1852:54.9.Horticulturist,15:73. 1860.10.Gar. Mon.,2:156, 265. 1860.11.Ib.,5:73, 74. 1863.12.N. Y. Agr. Soc. Rpt.,1864:42, 45, 141.13.Mag. Hort.,31:107, 157. 1865.14.Husmann,1866:18, 79, 122.15.Downing,1869:542.16.Grape Cult.,2:76. 1870.17.Ib.,3:67, 103. 1871.18.Gar. Mon.,14:105, 167, 296. 1872.19.Horticulturist,29:20, 245. 1874.20.Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt.,1883:57, 124, 128.21.Bush. Cat.,1883:110.22.Rural N. Y.,50:418, 482. 1891.23.Ill. Sta. Bul.,28:255. 1893.24.Kan. Sta. Bul.,44:116. 1893.25.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,15:432, 433. 1896.26.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:531, 541, 544, 548, 552. 1898.27.Ala. Sta. Bul.,110:83. 1900.28.Rural N. Y.,59:719, 722. 1900.fig.29.Traité gen. de vit.,5:203. 1903.
Alexander(29).Black Cape(29).Cape(29).Captraube(29).Champania(29).Cherokee?(11).Christie’s Improved Isabella(15, 21, 29).Conckling’s Wilding(11).Constantia(29).Dorchester(1).Framboisier(29).Garber’s Red-Fox(29).Gibb’s grape(4, 11, 18).Hanover(southern) (11).Hensell’s Long Island(11).Isabella(1).Isabelle d’Amerique(29).Lespeyre(2, 10, 11, 18).New Hanover(11).Paign’s Isabella(15, 21, 29).Payne’s Early(11, 15, 21, 29).Raisin de Cassis(29).Raisin du Cap(29).Raisin Fraise(29).Raisin Framboise(29).Sainte-Helene(29).Saluda(11).Sanbornton?(15, 21, 29).Schuylkill?(29).Uva Fragola(29).Vernet(6, 11, 18).Woodward(15, 21, 29).
Isabella is now of little more than historical interest yet for a half century after its introduction, about 1816, it and Catawba were the mainstays of American viticulture. In the early days of grape-growing in this country Isabella was the grape of the North Atlantic and New England States while the vineyards of the South were planted with Catawba, the latter requiring too long a season and being too susceptible to fungal diseases for a northern grape. Isabella has been almost wholly replaced in the North by Concord, because the latter is earlier, hardier and more productive, and the older variety can now hardly be found except in the collections of experimenters and amateurs.
In appearance Isabella is quite as attractive as any of the black grapes, having large, well-formed clusters and a deep black color with thick bloom. The flavor is good but the thick skin and muskiness in taste are objectionable. The fruit keeps and ships well and seldom rattles or cracks but the variety is surpassed in vine characters by many other standard kinds, notably Concord, which, as stated above, has taken its place. The lustrous green, ample foliage which remains late in the season, and the vigor of Isabella, make it an attractive ornamental, well adapted for growing on arbors, porches and trellises. Individual vines of this variety growing in New York, the Middle States, and New England, realize more than any other grape that ideal of peace and plenty for which the grape has been the symbol since the vines of Judah and of Israel. While it is of small commercial importance, Isabella is still worthy a place in the garden and as an ornamental.
The origin of Isabella is not certainly known. It was secured by William Prince of Flushing, Long Island, from Mrs. Isabella Gibbs, the wife of Geo. Gibbs, a merchant then living in Brooklyn, New York. Prince states that he first saw this grape in 1816 and was so struck with its appearance that he considered it worthy of a name and introduction to the public. It was consequently named in honor of Mrs. Gibbs and introduced shortly after 1816. In answer to a request from Prince as to the place of its origin, Mrs. Gibbs reported that it had come originally from the vicinity of Dorchester, South Carolina. This account of its origin was published at the time in several agricultural periodicals and later in Prince’sTreatise on the Vine. The whole question was thoroughly discussed in the agriculturalpress of that day but without a satisfactory solution of the place of its nativity.
ISABELLAISABELLA
Nicholas Herbemont[194]who sought the history of the variety in the neighborhood of Dorchester, South Carolina, doubted its having originated there, as he found it known only as a cultivated sort with a tradition of its having been introduced years before by a gentleman then dead. There were various accounts published of its having originated in North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware and Europe, none of which are worthy of any credence. All that can be said is that it originated some time in the eighteenth century, probably in one of the Carolinas and that it was cultivated in many widely separated neighborhoods prior to 1800.
In 1852 Isabella was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog, for general cultivation. In 1864, on account of its susceptibility to mildew it was transferred to a list for cultivation in special localities. It was soon, however, restored to the original list where it still remains. After the introduction of Concord, as noted above, the popularity of Isabella waned but it is still to be found in many sections as one of the less planted of the market sorts and is in practically all varietal vineyards. It was introduced into Europe before 1830 where it was quite extensively cultivated for the manufacture of a low grade wine, and it is quite probable that the phylloxera, which later became such a pest, was introduced on roots of the Isabella.
Isabella is generally classed as a pure Labrusca but there are many who think there is a strain of Vinifera present. This is indicated by the shape of the berries, certain characters of the seeds, the susceptibility of the vine to mildew and of the fruit to black-rot. The characters of Isabella can be traced in a great number of offspring though comparatively few of them have outlived the parent in usefulness. Pure-bred progeny of the Isabella differ but little from the parent and are classed as strains of the original rather than as new varieties. Hybrids of it with pure Vinifera are usually worthless, lacking in vigor and hardiness, and so much more so than in the case of hybrids of Vinifera and known pure American grapes as to further suggest Vinifera blood in Isabella. Such hybrids, too, usuallybear a stronger resemblance to the Old World grape than offspring of pure-bred parents of the two species.
Vine vigorous to medium, usually hardy, variable in productiveness, but sometimes producing heavy crops, somewhat subject to mildew in certain locations. Canes short to above medium, numerous, covered with heavy pubescence, thick, light to dark brown; nodes enlarged, strongly flattened; internodes short to medium; diaphragm thick; pith intermediate to below in size; shoots covered with heavy pubescence; tendrils continuous, long, bifid to trifid.Leaf-buds small, short, thickish, conical, open very late. Young leaves tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side with light rose carmine. Leaves intermediate in size, often roundish, thick; upper surface dark green, smooth to medium, glossy; lower surface whitish-green, heavily pubescent; veins distinct; lobes three when present with terminal lobe obtuse to acute; petiolar sinus shallow to medium, narrow, often closed and overlapping; basal sinus usually none; lateral sinus shallow, narrow, frequently notched; teeth shallow, medium to wide. Flowers usually strongly self-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.Fruit usually ripens with Catawba or earlier, keeps and ships well. Clusters large to medium, intermediate in length, nearly cylindrical to conical, frequently single-shouldered, variable in compactness; peduncle short to medium, thick; pedicel variable in length, slender, almost smooth, much enlarged at point of attachment to fruit; brush long, yellowish-green. Berries variable in size, medium to large, oval, deep black, color long before ripe, covered with considerable blue bloom, usually persistent, soft. Skin thick to medium, very tough, adheres considerably to the pulp, contains no pigment, astringent. Flesh pale green, sometimes with yellowish tinge, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender but meaty, somewhat stringy, inclined to foxiness, sweet to agreeably tart at center, slightly astringent when not mature, ranks good in quality. Seeds separate from the pulp with some difficulty unless fully ripe, one to three in number, average two, large to medium, broad, distinctly notched, above medium to short, brownish with yellow tips; raphe obscure; chalaza small, above center, circular, rather distinct. Must 60°-79°.
Vine vigorous to medium, usually hardy, variable in productiveness, but sometimes producing heavy crops, somewhat subject to mildew in certain locations. Canes short to above medium, numerous, covered with heavy pubescence, thick, light to dark brown; nodes enlarged, strongly flattened; internodes short to medium; diaphragm thick; pith intermediate to below in size; shoots covered with heavy pubescence; tendrils continuous, long, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds small, short, thickish, conical, open very late. Young leaves tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side with light rose carmine. Leaves intermediate in size, often roundish, thick; upper surface dark green, smooth to medium, glossy; lower surface whitish-green, heavily pubescent; veins distinct; lobes three when present with terminal lobe obtuse to acute; petiolar sinus shallow to medium, narrow, often closed and overlapping; basal sinus usually none; lateral sinus shallow, narrow, frequently notched; teeth shallow, medium to wide. Flowers usually strongly self-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit usually ripens with Catawba or earlier, keeps and ships well. Clusters large to medium, intermediate in length, nearly cylindrical to conical, frequently single-shouldered, variable in compactness; peduncle short to medium, thick; pedicel variable in length, slender, almost smooth, much enlarged at point of attachment to fruit; brush long, yellowish-green. Berries variable in size, medium to large, oval, deep black, color long before ripe, covered with considerable blue bloom, usually persistent, soft. Skin thick to medium, very tough, adheres considerably to the pulp, contains no pigment, astringent. Flesh pale green, sometimes with yellowish tinge, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender but meaty, somewhat stringy, inclined to foxiness, sweet to agreeably tart at center, slightly astringent when not mature, ranks good in quality. Seeds separate from the pulp with some difficulty unless fully ripe, one to three in number, average two, large to medium, broad, distinctly notched, above medium to short, brownish with yellow tips; raphe obscure; chalaza small, above center, circular, rather distinct. Must 60°-79°.
1.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,11:636. 1892.2.Ib.,13:604. 1894.3.Bush. Cat.,1894:141.4.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:531, 548, 555, 559. 1898.
1.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,11:636. 1892.2.Ib.,13:604. 1894.3.Bush. Cat.,1894:141.4.N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.,17:531, 548, 555, 559. 1898.
Isabella Seedling is an early, vigorous, productive offspring of Isabella. In fruit characters it greatly resembles its parent but is much earlier, ripening shortly after Moore Early, and has a more compact bunch. Like its parent, the fruit is of good quality and keeps remarkably well for so earlya grape. It is now grown in New York more than Isabella and while not of any considerable commercial importance, is far more deserving attention as a market grape than some of the poorly flavored kinds more generally grown.
There are several varieties under this name. Two are mentioned by Warder; one of Ohio and one of New York origin. The Isabella Seedling here described was originated by G. A. Ensenberger, Sr., of Bloomington, Illinois, who sent it to this Station for testing in 1889. Full details of the origin and history of this grape are not known, Mr. Ensenberger having died soon after its dissemination, without leaving a record of his work.