264 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



Vine vigorous, not always hardy, produces good crops. Canes vigorous, inter- 

 mediate in number and thickness; tendrils continuous to intermittent, trifid to bifid. 

 Leaves medium to above in size, irregularly roundish; lower surface thinly pubescent. 

 Flowers sterile or nearly so, open in mid-season or slightly later; stamens refle.xed. 

 Fruit ripens about with Concord or slightly later, an excellent keeper, in good condition 

 some seasons until February. Clusters medium to nearly large, broad with a rather 

 small, short, single shoulder, usually compact. Berries large to above medium, roundish 

 to oval, frequently compressed, dark purplish-black, covered with abundant blue bloom, 

 not firm. Flesh moderately tender and soft, vinous, sweet next the skin to acid at 

 center, agreeable in flavor, good to very good in quality. Seeds large, long, often with 

 enlarged neck; chalaza small, frequently with shallow, radiating furrows, strongly 

 above center. 



ESTER. 



(Labrusca.) 



I. An. Hort., 1889:101. 2. Rural N. Y., 51:686. 863. 1892. 3. Bush. Cat., 1894:125. 4. N. 

 Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 14:279. 1895. 5. lb., 17:530, 548, 555. 1898. 6. Mich. Sta. But., 194:57. 1901. 

 7. Kan. Sta. Bid., 110:239. 1902. 



Ester is a white seedling of Concord, whether pure-bred or cross-bred 

 is not known, which resembles its parent in vine and in flavor of fruit. 

 It has several defects which make it less valuable than many other better 

 known white grapes and is therefore not recommended for New York, 

 Its defects appear in the description given below. 



The variety was originated by E. W. Bull of Concord, Massachusetts, 

 from seed of Concord. It was introduced by George S. Josselyn of Fre- 

 donia. New York, in 1889. Bull named this variety in honor of his mother 

 who spelled her name Ester, in the old New England way, and not " Esther " 

 as commonly found in grape literature. 



Vine variable in vigor and productiveness, usually hardy. Canes short to medium, 

 slender, covered with considerable pubescence; tendrils continuous, rarely intermittent, 

 bifid to trifid. Leaves small, light green; lower surface tinged with bronze, pubescent. 

 Flowers nearly fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright. Fruit ripens about with 

 Concord, not a good keeper. Clusters medium to above in size and compactness. Berries 

 medium to large, roundish, pale yellowish-white, covered with tliin gray bloom, inclined 

 to drop considerably from pedicel. Skin covered with scattering brown dots, thin, 

 somewhat tender, inclined to crack. Flesh moderately tender and vinous, sweet, variable 

 in flavor and quality ranging from fair to very good. 



