2IO THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



CHAMPION. 



(Labrusca.) 



I. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1871:69. 2. Am. Hort. An., 1871:83. 3. Horticulturist, 30:151. 1S75. 

 4. Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1875:88, 295. 5. Gar. Mon., 20:47. 1S78. 6. Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 

 1879:93. 7. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1879. 8. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1881:36. 9. Bush. Cat., 1883:82. 

 10. 76., 1883:138. 11. Tenn. Sta. Bui., Vol. 9:172. 1896. 12. .V. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:527, 528, 

 548, 552, 554. 1898. 13. Miss. Sta. Bui., 56:11. 1899. 14. Budd-Hansen, 2:374. 1902. 



Beaconsfield (6, 8, 9, 11). Champion (10). Early Champion (5). Early Champion (9, 11). 

 Tallman? (5). Tallman Seedling (i, 2). Talman's Seedling (10). Talman's Seedling (9, 11). 

 Tolman's Seedling (4). Tolinan (10). 



Champion is still a favorite early grape with some commercial growers 

 after having been grown for a generation, though its poor quality should 

 have driven it from cultivation years ago. Champion and Hartford are 

 rivals as early market grapes and for the distinction of being the poorest 

 in quality of all commonly cultivated grapes. The variety under considera- 

 tion is sourer and less agreeable to the taste than many wild grapes. The 

 characters which have kept it in cultivation are earliness, good shipping 

 qualities, though it does not keep well, productiveness, attractive appear- 

 ance, and a vigorous hardy vine. The hardiness of the vine and its short 

 season of fruit development and maturity make it a good variety for 

 northern and cold climates. This grape is best, in appearance of fruit, in 

 quality, and in the quantity produced, on a comparatively light sandy soil. 

 As grape consumers become more appreciative of quality, Champion will 

 be grown less and less. 



The origin of Champion is unknown. It was first grown about 

 1870 in New York. In 1871 Elliott acknowledged receipt of specimens 

 of this variety from William Chorlton of Staten Island. It was at that 

 time generally known as Tallman or Tallman's Seedling. At about the 

 same time it was being propagated and sold by R. J. Donnelly and J. I. 

 Stone of Charlotte, Monroe County, as Champion. Although many efforts 

 have been made, no one has succeeded in tracing the variety to the original 

 vine. At one time it was stated to have originated in the vicinity of New 

 Orleans, Louisiana, but later the southern Champion was found to be a dif- 

 ferent variety. This variety was early introduced into Canada where it 

 was known as Beaconsfield, owing to its being first planted in that country 

 in a large vineyard owned by a gentleman of that name. 



