2 14 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



Clinton 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 nati^•e 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 there- 

 fore 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 Avith 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 lati- 

 tudes. Its seedlings often show intermittent characters and otherwise 

 indicate a strong strain of Labrusca. 



Clinton began to attract attention in New York about 1840. J. W. 

 Bissell, of Rochester, in the Horticulturist of January, 184S, writes that 

 the vine from which cuttings were taken was found by L. B. Lang- 



