420 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



its berries unevenly, one of the defects which debars Diana from profit- 

 able cultivation. Though more fastidious, Walter is usually adapted to 

 conditions under which Delaware thrives. The variety has been cultivated 

 for nearly half a century but is seemingly less and less grown, a fact to be 

 regretted ; for there are few American grapes of more exquisite flavor and 

 aroma and more dainty appearance. It is said that when protected from 

 dew by walls or other shelter the vines are not so badly attacked by fungi, 

 if at all, and that Walter may thus be grown to perfection. If this be true 

 grape-lovers should see that the variety is long retained in collections and 

 for the garden. 



A. J. Cavwood originated this variety about 1850 from seed of Delaware 

 pollinated by Diana. It was placed on the grape list of the American 

 Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1871. Walter is still to be found 

 in an occasional varietal vineyard but it is seldom offered for sale by 

 nurserymen. 



Vine moderately vigorous, not hardy in exposed locations, variable in productive- 

 ness, subject to attacks of fungi. Canes medium to above in length and size, dark red- 

 dish-brown, surface covered with thin blue bloom; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes 

 medium to above in length ; diaphragm thick ; pith of fair size ; shoots pubescent ; tendrils 

 intermittent, medium to above in length, bifid. 



Leaf-buds small, intermediate in length and thickness, pointed to conical. Foliage 

 of average size, thick; upper surface dark green, glossy, smooth; lower surface tinged 

 with bronze, heavily pubescent; lobes none to three with terminus acute; petiolar sinus 

 of average depth, narrow to medium; basal sinus lacking; lateral sinus usually a notch 

 if present ; teeth intermediate in depth and width. Flowers open in mid-season; stamens 

 tipright. 



Fruit somewhat variable in season of ripening, averaging about with Delaware, 

 keeps and ships well. Clusters medium in size and length, broad, cylindrical to taper- 

 ing, usually single-shouldered, compact; peduncle short to medium, of average thick- 

 ness; pedicel medium in length, slender, covered with small scattering warts; brush 

 short, slender, green with brownish tinge. Berries small to medium, often strongly 

 ovate, red, much like Delaware, glossy, covered with a moderate amount of lilac bloom, 

 persistent, firm. Skin intermediate in thickness, very tough, adheres but slightly to 

 the pulp, contains no pigment, without astringency. Flesh pale green, translucent, 

 juicy, tough, somewhat fo.xy, vinous, quite strongly aromatic, sweet next the skm to 

 tart at center, good to very good in quality. Seeds do not separate easily from the 

 pulp, one to four, average three, below medium in size and length, intermediate m 



