THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 223 



plate. It is noted, too, for its strong, branching root system. With good 

 foliage and good roots it is not suq^rising that it is a vigorous, thrift)- 

 grower — if anything surpassing its parent in vigor of growth. The canes 

 are so rough as to be almost spiny indicating, seemingly, outbursts of 

 grow-th-force. The Cottage is of better quality than its parent having far 

 less foxiness and a richer, more delicate flavor. It is given credit, too, of 

 being a better shipper and a better keeper and is from one to two weeks 

 earlier. Its good qualities are offset, however, by the fact that it lacks 

 in soil adaptability, is comparatively unproductive, and ripens unevenly. 

 It blooms much earlier than Concord. Cottage is recommended as 

 an early grape of the Concord t>-pe for the garden and a standard variety 

 for northern localities. The variety is widely distributed in varietal 

 vineyards. 



Cottage is another of E. W. Bull's seedlings, having been produced by 

 him from seed of Concord. It was introduced in 1869 and in 1879 it was 

 placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog, 

 where it has since been retained. 



Vine vigorous, healthy, hardy, produces average crops. Canes often rough and 

 hair)-, long to medium, numerous, of fair thickness, rather dark brown, nodes slightly 

 enlarged, not usually flattened; intemodes intermediate in length; diaphragm thinnish; 

 pith of average size; shoots ver\- pubescent; tendrils continuous, of mean length, usually 

 bifid. 



Leaf-buds small to medium, short, of fair thickness, conical to pointed, open moder- 

 ately early. Young leaves tinged on lower side and faintly at the margin with red, 

 making the prevailing color pale green with light carmine tinge. Leaves large, thick; 

 upper surface dark green, glossy, smooth to slightly rugose; lower surface tinged with 

 heavy bronze, with some pubescence; veins distinct; leaf usually not lobed, with ter- 

 minus acute to acuminate; petiolar sinus usually deep and wide; teeth shallow, wide. 

 Flowers fertile, open medium early; stamens upright. 



Fruit ripens one or two weeks earlier than Concord, does not keep well. Clusters 

 above medium to small, below average length, moderately broad, cylindrical to slightly 

 tapering, sometimes single-shouldered, rather compact; peduncle somewhat long, inter- 

 mediate in size; pedicel short, thick, covered with few, inconspicuous, small warts, wide 

 at point of attachment to berry; brush dark red. Berries of average size, roundish, dull 

 black, not glossy, covered with heavy blue bloom, drop badly from pedicel, firm. Skin 

 rather thick, somewhat tender, slightly adherent to pulp, contains considerable dark 

 purplish-red pigment, slightly astringent. Flesh juicy, tough, rather solid, foxy, agree- 



