THE GRAPES OF \E\V YORK. 207 



vine of the former variety enabled it to supplant Catawba in many sec- 

 tions. The Catawba was placed on the grape list in the first American 

 Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1852. 



The species to which Catawba belongs is uncertain. It is generally 

 classed as Labrusca, but practically all of those who have raised large 

 numbers of seedlings of the variety are of the opinion that it has some 

 Vinifera blood in its composition. The general appearance of the vine 

 would indicate Labrusca, but the vinous flavor of the fruit, the suscepti- 

 bility to mildew, the appearance of occasional seeds, and the character of 

 the seedlings, many of which resemble Vinifera more than the parent, 

 all indicate that there is a strain of Vinifera present. 



Vine vigorous to medium, hardy, productive, subject to mildew in unfavorable 

 seasons. Canes of average length, numerous, rather thick, moderately dark brown 

 with slight ash-gray tinge; nodes enlarged, sometimes slightly flattened; internodes 

 of mean length; diaphragm rather thin; pith rather large; shoots slightly pubescent; 

 tendrils continuous, of fair length, bifid to trifid. 



Leaf-buds intermediate in size and thickness, short, conical to nearly obtuse, open 

 moderately late. Young leaves tinged rose carmine on upper and lower sides. Leaves 

 large, of average thickness; upper surface rather light green, dull, moderately smooth; 

 lower surface grayish-white, heavily pubescent; veins well defined; lobes sometimes 

 three, terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow to medium; basal sinus often 

 lacking; lateral sinus of average depth, narrow; teeth rather shallow, narrow. Flowers 

 fertile, open rather late; stamens upright. 



Fruit late, one of the best keepers, lasting until March or later. Clusters large to 

 medium, rather long, usually broad, nearly cylindrical to tapering, single-shouldered 

 to sometimes double-shouldered, rather loose to compact; peduncle of average length, 

 rather slender; pedicel variable in length, intermediate in thickness, covered with but 

 few small, inconspicuous warts, considerably swollen at point of attachment to berry; 

 brush short, pale green. Berries intermediate in size, oval to roundish, dull purplish- 

 red, covered with a moderate amount of lilac bloom, not inclined to drop from pedicel, 

 firm. Skin rather thick, variable in toughness, slightly adheres to pulp, with no pigment, 

 somewhat astringent. Flesh green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, slightly tough to 

 soft, depending upon age, vinous, often sprightly with some foxiness, sweet and rich, 

 very good in quality. Seeds separate easily from flesh, frequently abortive, average 

 two, medium size, broad, often with a short prominent neck, distinctly notched, blunt, 

 brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza large, above center, oval to nearly roundish, rather 

 distinct. 



