VARIETIES OF GRAPES 357 



Cynthiana 



(^stivalis, Labrusca) 



Arkansas, Red River 



There is controversy as to whether this variety differs from 

 Norton. The two ripen at separate times, and the fruits differ 

 a Httle so that they must be considered as distinct. Cynthi- 

 ana is particular as to soil and location, preferring sandy 

 loams and does not thrive on clays or limestones. While 

 very resistant to phylloxera, this variety is not much used as a 

 resistant stock because it is not easily propagated. The vines 

 are resistant to mildew, black-rot, and anthracnose and are 

 strong, vigorous growers. The cycle of vegetation for Cyn- 

 thiana is long, the buds bursting forth early and the fruit 

 maturing very late. The variety has no value as a table-grape 

 but in the South is one of the best grapes for red wine. No 

 doubt it w'\\\ prove one of the best southern sorts for grape- 

 juice. Cynthiana was received about 1850 by Prince, of 

 Flushing, Long Island, from Arkansas, where it was found 

 growing in the woods. 



Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes medium in 

 length, numerous, reddish-brown with thick bloom ; nodes enlarged ; 

 internodes short ; shoots glabrous ; tendrils intermittent or con- 

 tinuous, bifid. Leaves thick, firm ; upper surface dark green, dull, 

 rugose ; lower surface tinged with blue, faintly pubescent, cobwebby ; 

 lobes variable in number, terminal one acute; petiolar sinus deep, 

 narrow, closed, sometimes overlapping ; basal sinus shallow ; lateral 

 sinus shallow, narrow ; teeth shallow ; stamens upright. 



Fruit very late, keeps well. Clusters medium to small, long, 

 tapering, often single-shouldered, compact ; pedicel short, slender, 

 with numerous warts ; brush short, thick, wine-colored. Berries 

 small, round, black, covered with heavy bloom, persistent, firm ; skdn 

 thiti, tougli, adherent with purph> i)igni('nt, astringent; flesli dark 

 green, translucent, juicy, tough, firm, spicy, tart ; poor in quality. 

 Seeds adherent, one to six, small, short, blunt, dark brown. 



