BLOOM-CLUSTERS OF TWO HERMAPHRODITE MUSCADINE GRAPES 



At the left is a cluster from the one of the original hermaphrodites, known as H2, and on the 

 right a cluster from HI, the other original hermaphrodite. The good size and proportions 

 of the latter cluster are particularly noteworthy. Photograph about natural size. (Fig. 13.) 



as berries from 25 to 50 per cent of the 

 bloom buds, whereas the standard but 

 self-sterile variety Scuppernong, for 

 example, has set at Willard, N. C, 

 under the best natural conditions less 

 than 12% of the bloom buds annually 

 for the last six years, owing to the fact 

 that it must rely on. insect cross- 

 pollination, (d) The new self-fertile 

 varieties afford opportunity for greater 

 vineyard production, as well as vine 

 production, for they c?.n be planted in 

 place of nonproductive male vines as 



pollinators for female varieties (mor- 

 phologically imperfect hennaphrodites) . 



The production of a self-fertile Musca- 

 dine grape means the production of a 

 new type of Muscadine grape; one 

 having a new type of bloom which is at 

 once male and female and designated as 

 perfect or hermaphroditic. This is so 

 important to the indtistr}' that a rather 

 full statement seems warranted here in 

 order to show just what has been done. 



The Department began its breeding 

 work in 1907. The crosses that year 



413 



