270 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



FAITH. 



(Riparia, Labrusca.) 



I. III. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1881:164. 2. Bush. Cat., 1883:100. 3. Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1883:43. 

 4. Rural N. Y., 45:022, 640. i'886. 5. hid. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1889:85. 6. A'. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 

 11:623. iSq2. 7. III. Sta. But., 28:263. 1893. 8. Tcnn. Sta. Bid., Yo\. Q-.iSo. 1896. g.N. Y. Sta. 

 An. Rpt., 17:530. 548, 555- 1898. 



Though spoken of as a desirable grape in many other regions Faith 

 is of Httle or no value in New York. It is verj- unattractive in appearance 

 as it grows in this State, both in cluster and in berry, the clusters being 

 small and variable and the berries small and of unattractive color. The 

 quality of the fruit is not high and there are many other white sorts which 

 surpass it as a table grape, more especially Diamond which ripens at the 

 same time. If it has any preeminently good character for this region it is 

 productiveness but this cannot offset its mediocre characters. Another 

 fault is that the blossoms put forth so early that they often suffer from 

 spring frosts. 



Faith is of the same breeding and from the same originator, Jacob 

 Rommel of Morrison, Missouri, as Etta, both having come from seed of 

 Elvira. This seedling was introduced to the public about 1881 and though 

 an excellent grape it is hardly the equal of Etta and has never been able 

 to compete with that variety. It was named in honor of Jacob Faith, a 

 prominent Missouri viticulturist. 



Vine medium to vigorous, hardy except in severe winters, usually healthy, variable 

 in productiveness. Canes long to medium, numerous; tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves 

 large to medium, dark green; lower surface grayish-green, thinly pubescent. Flowers 

 sterile to partly fertile, open medium early; stamens upright. Fruit ripens about with 

 Diamond or slightly earlier, does not keep well. Clusters above medium to small, variable 

 in length, usually slender, often heavily single-shouldered, loose. Berries quite small, 

 roundish, dull green, frequently with yellow tinge changing to pale amber, covered 

 with abundant gray bloom, persistent, rather soft. Flesh moderately juicy, nearly 

 tender, agreeably flavored, sweet next the skin to somewhat tart at center, fair to good 

 in quaHty. Seeds numerous, of average size, broad. 



