346 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



of Merrimac are so nearly those given for the several others of these 

 grapes hitherto described, that there need be no general discussion of it here 

 other than to state its chief points of difference. It is stronger in growth, 

 slightly more productive, possiby hardier, and more exempt from fungal 

 diseases than the average of Rogers' hybrids. Its season is about that 

 of Concord, a little earlier than that of most of its kindred hybrids. It 

 is not as high in quality, and its flesh, skin and seed characters are such 

 that it is not as pleasant to eat as the black varieties named above. Mer- 

 rimac is worthy a place in collections and in the gardens for the sake of 

 variety. 



For a full account of the parentage and details of the origin of the 

 variety see "Rogers' Hybrids." Merrimac was first known as No. 19, and 

 was considered by those to whom Rogers sent his grapes of peculiar 

 excellence, and was granted a premium by the Essex Agricultural Society 

 in 1859. In 1867, Merrimac, with five others of Rogers' numbered vari- 

 eties, was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society 

 fruit catalog, where it is still retained. In 1869, Rogers gave this variety 

 the name Merrimac after the historic New England river. 



Vine vigorous, usually hardy but subject to injury in severe seasons, moderately 

 productive to productive. Canes intermediate in length and number, medium to slender, 

 dark brown, surface slightly roughened; nodes somewhat enlarged, usually flattened; 

 internodes medium to short; diaphragm thick; pith of average thickness; shoots nearly 

 glabrous; tendrils intermittent, short, bifid. 



Leaf-buds intermediate in size, short to medium, thick, obtuse to conical, open 

 in mid-season. Young leaves tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side with 

 rose-carmine. Leaves large to medium, thin; upper surface very light green, glossy, 

 nearly smooth; lower surface pale green, slightly pubescent and cobwebby; veins dis- 

 tinct; lobes usually three with terminal lobe obtuse; petiolar sinus medium to deep, 

 narrow, sometimes closed and overlapping; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus 

 shallow, narrow; teeth shallow to medium, of average width. Flowers sterile, open 

 in mid-season; stamens reflexed. 



Fruit ripens with or later than Concord, ships and keeps well. Clusters variable 

 in size, intermediate in length, often broad, tapering to cylindrical, variable in com- 

 pactness; peduncle short to medium, of average thickness; pedicel intermediate in 

 length, slender, covered with numerous, small, inconspicuous warts; brush wine-colored. 

 Berries large to medium, roundish, black, glossy, covered with abundant blue bloom, 

 persistent, firm. Skin thick, tough, adheres slightly to the pulp, contains a small amount 



