THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 163 



characters so that he felt there was no question as to its being of foreign 

 origin. 



Downing gives what is probably the most complete descrijjtion of this 

 variety we now have, although it was made from fruit raised some distance 

 farther north than where the variety matures properly. He says: " It 

 is finite sweet when ripe and makes a very fair wine but it is quite too pulpy 

 and coarse for table use. The launches are more compact and the leaves 

 much more doicny than those of the Isabella. Bunches rather compact, 

 not shouldered. Berries of medium size, oval. Skin thick, quite black. 

 Flesh with a very firm pulp, but juicy, and quite sweet and musky, when 

 fully ripe, which is not till the last of October." Dufour speaks of the ber- 

 ries ripening unevenly, requiring the green ones to be picked out before 

 sending to the wine press. 



ALEXANDER WINTER, 



(Labrusca, Vinifera?) 

 1. .V. v. 5/a. .4m. Rp/., 11:613. 1892. 2. /fc.. 14:275. 1S95. 3- /t-. 17:526, 548. 553. 1898. 



Alexander Winter is chiefly valuable because of the length of time 

 it will keep. As its name implies it is a winter grape. The flavor is 

 most excellent and when well grown the appearance of bunch and grape 

 is attractive. Another desirable quality is that the average number of 

 seeds to the berry is small, being only two. The great defect of the variety 

 is that, even with cross-poUinization, perfect clusters do not form. There 

 are many green berries, and when ripe there are always some small seed- 

 less berries indicating imperfect fertilization. Vine and foliage indicate 

 Labrusca parentage but the fruit suggests an admixture of Vinifera. 

 Although rarely found in the gardens and vineyards of New York, Alex- 

 ander Winter is well worth a place in the garden of the amateur and of the 

 grape-breeder because of its excellent keeping qualities. 



Alexander Winter was originated by S. R. Alexander, Bellefontaine, 

 Ohio, from a lot of mixed seed planted in 1884. It was received at this 

 Station in 1892. It seems not to have been tested elsewhere and is not 

 generally handled by nurserymen. 



Vine vigorous, injured in severe winters, productive. Foliage irregularly roundish, 

 dark green. Flowers open in mid-season or earlier; stamens reflexed. It cannot be 

 relied upon to set perfect clusters when standing alone and even when growing in a 



