292 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



are more sprightly and refreshing and do not cloy the appetite as does the 

 Vinifera variety. In all that constitutes a fine table grape Herbert is about 

 as near perfection as we have yet reached in the evolution of American 

 grapes. As is the case with most black grapes the fruit colors long before it 

 is ripe and when thus picked there is an astringency in its taste that wholly 

 disappears when the fruit is fully ripe. For a Vinifera-Labrusca hybrid 

 the Herbert is vigorous, hardy and fruitful ranking in these respects above 

 many pure-bred Labruscas. While the fruit ripens with Concord it keeps 

 long after and is a very good winter grape. It keeps, packs and ships well. 

 It is unable to fertilize itself and must be set near other varieties. Herbert 

 is well deserving attention from commercial growers who supply a dis- 

 criminating market and its many good qualities will give it a high place in 

 the esteem of grape connoisseurs. 



For an account of the origin and early history of Herbert the reader is 

 referred to " Rogers' Hybrids." The Herbert is first mentioned separately 

 from the rest of Rogers' seedlings in 1865, under the designation Rogers' 

 No. 44. In 1869 Rogers gave names to several of his seedlings and the 

 Rogers' No. 44 received the name Herbert. The same year it was placed 

 on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog. It 

 has never been cultivated extensively but has always been a favorite with 

 amateur growers. The differences in the descriptions furnished by different 

 growers leads one to si;spect that there are two or more varieties passing 

 under this name. 



Vine medium to very vigorous, injured in severe winters, productive. Canes ver)' 

 long, numerous, unusually thick, dark brown; nodes enlarged, somewhat flattened; 

 internodes long to medium ; diaphragm thick ; pith medium to large ; shoots pubescent ; 

 tendrils intennittent, long, bifid to trifid. 



Leaf-buds above medium in size, shortish, plump, obtuse, open early. Young 

 leaves strongly tinged on under side and along margin of upper side with bright carmine. 

 Leaves very large to medium, roundish, of average thickness; upper surface dark green, 

 dull, smooth; lower surface pale green with some pubescence; veins numerous and 

 quite prominent; leaf not lobed, with terminus obtuse; petiolar sinus ven*- deep, narrow, 

 closed and overlapping; basal and lateral sinuses lacking; teeth shallow to medium. 

 Flowers sterile, open in mid-season; stamens reflexed. 



Fruit comes in season with Concord, keeps unusually well. Clusters medium to 

 large, variable in length, rather broad, slightly tapering, two or three clusters per shoot, 

 often heavily singlc-shouldercd, loose to medium; peduncle of average length, thick; 



