THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 263 



Fruit somewhat variable in season of ripening averaging a few days earlier than 

 Niagara, keeps well. Clusters large to below medium, long, rather slender, cylindrical 

 to slightly tapering, frequently single-shouldered, medium to compact; peduncle variable, 

 often characteristically long, rather thick; pedicel not uniform in length, slender, covered 

 with numerous small warts; brush short, light green. Berries variable in size averaging 

 medium to below, inclined to roundish, pale yellowish-green, covered with some gray 

 bloom, persistent, moderately firm. Skin medium to thick, variable in toughness, 

 adheres but slightly to the pulp, contains no pigment, with slight astringency. Flesh 

 pale yellowish-green, translucent, very juicy, fine-grained, rather tender, sweet next 

 the skin but somewhat acid at center, agreeably flavored, good to very good in quality. 

 Seeds adhere slightly to the pulp, one to four, average two, small, broad, notched, rather 

 short, blunt, plump, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza small, roundish to ovate, slightly 

 above center, distinct. 



ESSEX. 



(Labrusca, Vinifera.) 



I. U. S. D. A. Rpt., 1864:127, 136. 2. RIass. Hort. Soc. Rpt.. 1865:40. 3. Strong, 1866:341. 

 4. Am. Jour. Hort., 3:146. 1868. 5. Horticulturist, 24:126. 1869. 6. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat.. 1869:42. 

 7. Grape Cult., 1:181. 1869. 8. III. Sta. Bui., 28:254. 1893. 9. ;V. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:330, 548, 

 555- 189S. 



Rogers' No. 41 (i, 2, 3. 4). Rogers' No. 41 (5, 6, 7). 



When well grown Essex is so similar to Barry, Wilder and Herbert, 

 all being Rogers' hybrids, that it is doubtful if it is worth cultiva- 

 tion more especially as it is not as easily grown as the above sorts. Its 

 fruit is almost identical with Barry, though the bunches do not equal that 

 variety in size, but the vine is not as desirable, being only half-hardy, 

 not productive, with sterile flowers and not setting fruit well even in 

 mixed vineyards. 



For an account of the origin and parentage of Essex see " Rogers' 

 Hybrids." Essex, then known as Rogers' No. 41, is first mentioned 

 separately from the other hybrids about 1865. There appears to have been 

 some confusion in the numbers, as some of the early describers speak of the 

 grape as red, others black. The name Essex was given by Mr. Rogers in 

 1869, in honor of Essex County, Massachusetts. The same year it was 

 placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog, 

 where it was retained until 1895, when it was dropped. It is still to be 

 found in many varietal vineyards but is now offered for sale by but few 

 nurserymen. 



