VARIETIES OF GRAPES 393 



inconspicuous warts; brush slender, pale green. Berries large, ovate, green 

 with a tinge of yellow, glossy, covered with thin bloom, persistent, firm; 

 skin thin, tough, adherent, astringent ; flesh pale green, transparent, juicy, 

 tender, melting, fine-grained, aromatic, sprightly; very good. Seeds free, 

 1-4, broad and long, sharp-pointed, yellowish-brown. 



602. Niagara (Fig. 218) is the leading American ^een grape. 

 It is less valuable than Concord, and it is doubtful whether it 

 should be ranked much higher than several 



other green grapes. In vigor and produc- 

 tiveness, Niagara and Concord rank the 

 same. In hardiness of root and vine, Ni- 

 agara falls short of Concord; it cannot be 

 grown without winter protection where the 

 thermometer goes much below zero. Both 

 bunches and berries of Niagara are larger 

 than those of Concord and are better formed, 

 making a handsomer fruit. The fruit shells 

 as badly as that of Concord and does not 

 keep longer. Both vine and fruit of Nia- fig. 218. Niagara, 

 gara are more susceptible to fungal diseases 

 than those of Concord. Niagara was produced by C. L. Hoag 

 and B. W. Clark, Lockport, New York, from seed of Concord 

 fertilized by Cassady, planted in 1868. 



Vine vigorous, lacking in hardiness, very productive. Leaves large, 

 thick; lobes 3-5 with terminus acute; petiolar sinus of medium depth and 

 width; basal sinus shallow, wide, often toothed; lateral sinus wide, fre- 

 quently toothed ; teeth shallow, variable in width. Flowers self -fertile, open 

 in niidseason; stamens upright. Fruit midseason. Clusters large, long, 

 broad, tapering, frequently single-shouldered, compact ; jjedicel thick with a 

 few small inconspicuous warts; brush pale green, long. Berries large, oval, 

 pale yellowish-green with thin bloom, persistent, firm; skin thin, tender, 

 adherent, astringent; flesh light green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, 

 tender, foxy; good. Seeds free, 1-6, deeply notched, brown. 



Sub-group 2. Berries Reddish 



603. Salem (Fig. 219) is the one of Rogers' hybrids of which 

 the originator is said to have thought most, and to which he 

 gave the name of his place of residence. The two chief faults, 

 unproductiveness and susceptibility to mildew, are not found in 

 all localities, and in favorable places, near good markets, Salem 



