THE GRAPES OF XEW YORK. 209 



vigor, susceptibility to fungi, and lack of hardiness. Centennial is much 

 like Delaware and is surpassed by it in nearly all respects. 



The variety was originated by D. S. Marvin, of Watertown, New York. 

 It is a cross between a Labrusca seedling of Marvin's and a seedling of 

 Eumelan. It was first fruited in 1875, '^^^ '^^'^^ introduced in 1882 by the 

 originator. Vines were received by this Station in 1883. The tenderness 

 and lateness of ripening of Centennial, as well as its botanical characters, 

 indicate Vinifera blood. 



The following description is a compilation from several sources: 



Vine vigorous, somewhat tender, fairly productive. Leaves rounded, slightly 

 three-lobed, smooth. Clusters medium to small, compact, tapering or cylindrical, 

 sometimes slightly shouldered. Berries medium to small, pale red or amber color with 

 thin white bloom, adhere firmly to pedicel. Skin rather thick, tough. Flesh tender, 

 juicy, sweet, resembling Delaware in flavor, good to very good. About the same season 

 as Concord. 



CHALLENGE. 



(Labrusca, Vinifera?) 



I. Am. Jour. Hort.. 4:72. 1S68. 2. lb., 7:102. 1870. 3. Bush. Cat., 1883:82. 4. ///. Sta. Bui., 

 28:259. 1893. 5. Mo. Sta. Bid., 46:38, 43, 45, 46. 1899. 6. Ga. Sta. BuL. 53:41. 1901. 7. Kan. 

 Sla. Bui., 110:238. 1902. 



Some years ago Challenge was considered an excellent dessert grape, 

 being of good quality, hardy, and fairly healthy. Small plantations of it 

 still exist in New York, but it is rapidly passing out of cultivation. 



Challenge was originated about i860 by Archer Moore, of Hammon- 

 ton, New Jersey. He supposed it to have come from seed of Concord 

 fertilized by Royal Muscadine. The variety was introduced by William F. 

 Bassett of the same place. We do not have a vine of Challenge growing 

 on the Station grounds, and the description written below is compiled from 

 various sources. 



Vine very vigorous; shoots slender, long. Leaf of medium size, dark green. Clus- 

 ters rather large, compact, tapering, usuallj^ shouldered. Berries medium in size, round, 

 pale red to reddish-purple in color with very thin bloom and inconspicuous dots, juicy, 

 slightly acid; quality medium to good; not separating readily from the seeds. Season 

 shortly after Concord. 



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