3l8 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



its botanical characters and in immunity from diseases it is almost identical 

 with Concord. Fortunately the vines yield readily to " laying down " 

 for winter protection so that even in commercial plantations it is not diffi- 

 cult to cover the vines and so prevent winter injury. 



The fruit of Jefferson is handsomer than that of lona and of almost 

 equal quality. The accompanying color-plate shows the large, well- 

 formed, compact bunch, with berries of uniform size and color, which, 

 taken together, make it one of the most attractive of red grapes. The 

 flesh is firm, yet tender and juicy with a rich, vinous flavor and a delicate 

 aroma which persists even after the berries have dried into raisins. The 

 fruit ships and keeps well, the berries adhering to the cluster and the fruit 

 retaining its freshness into late winter. The vine characters, with the 

 exceptions of late bearing and tenderness to cold, are in the main good. 



Jefferson is widely distributed and is well known by viticulturists 

 in eastern America. It is not particular as to localities, if the season be 

 long and the climate temperate, and thrives in nearly all grape soils though 

 it does not flourish in a soil strongly impregnated with lime. This variety 

 is deserving greater recognition as a commercial grape than it now receives. 

 In a discriminating market it should command a sufficiently high price 

 to make it a profitable variety to grow in this State despite its need of 

 protection. Few grapes, and probably no red grape, are more desirable 

 inhabitants of the garden than Jefferson; it not only furnishes an abun- 

 dance of the best long- keeping fruit, but is also very ornamental throughout 

 the season. 



This variety is one of J. H. Ricketts' ^ grapes from seed of Concord 



'James H. Ricketts was born in Oldbridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in 1830, the 

 family moving to Indiana while Ricketts was still a child. When a young man Ricketts learned the 

 trade of bookbinding in Cincinnati and later practiced this art in New York City. In 1857 he estab- 

 lished a bookbinding business at Newburgh, New York ; here he became interested in raising fruit, 

 devoting to it such time as could be be spared from his business. In 1861 he started his work in 

 grape improvement, reading all the books then published on this subject in order to prepare himself 

 to carry on the work intelligently. His first production was Raritan which he says he thought not 

 much improvement. In 1862, he built a glass house in order that he might have Vinifera vines for 

 crossing with natives outside. His first production of foreign cross-breeds was the Charles Downing, 

 now known as Downmg. 



Ricketts produced many hundred seedlings, and for ten or twelve years exhibited them at vari- 

 ous fairs, horticultural society meetings and other places, where their magnificent appearance and 



