THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 295 



superior wine. But the berries are very small, ripen very late, in some 

 localities crack badly and in others rot. 



The variety was originated by F. Langendoerfer of Hermann, Missouri, 

 from seed of Norton planted in i860. The first fruit was borne in 1863. 

 At one time it was considerably planted in Missouri as a wine grape but it 

 did not become popular nor spread from varietal vineyards to any extent 

 on account of its lack of quality for either the table or wine. It is of interest 

 chiefly as a seedling of Norton and for its very good vine characters. The 

 following description has been taken from a number of sources, chiefly 

 from the BiisJibcrg Catalogue: 



Vine vigorous, somewhat tender, resembling Norton in foliage except that the leaves 

 are of a lighter color and somewhat more deeply lobed. Stamens erect. Clusters long 

 and narrow, rather compact, rarely shouldered. Berries small, round, black with blue 

 bloom; pulp tender, juicy, and of the characteristic spicy Aestivalis flavor. Must 

 hea\^ and very fragrant, brownish-yellow making a wine the color of Brown Sherry or 

 Madeira, of great body and fine flavor; registers 94°-io5°. 



HICKS, 



(Labrusca.) 



I. Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt.. 1898:46. 2. .4;». Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1899:80. 3. III. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 

 1904:238. 4. Iowa Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1904. 22S. 240, 241. 5. Mich. Sta. Sp. Bid., 30:11. 1905. 



Hicks has proved itself a remarkably good grape in the vineyard of this 

 Station, and were it not for the fact that the fruit is almost identical with 

 that of Concord, ripening with it or but a little earlier, there certainly 

 would be a place for it in the viticulture of the State. The fact that it was 

 introduced some years ago and has not found great favor with growers 

 is assumptive evidence that it cannot make headwa}- against Concord 

 with which it must compete. On the Station grounds it is more prolific 

 than Concord and its vines are of stronger growth. Tlie variet)' is well 

 worthy a trial. 



The origin of the Hicks is apparently unknown. It was introduced in 

 1898 by Henry Wallis of Wellston, Missouri, who states that it is a chance 

 seedling sent from California about 1870 to Richard Berry, a well-known 

 nurseryman of St. Louis County, Missouri. After Berry's death it passed 

 into the hands of Wallis, who named it Hicks. It is supposed from its 

 characters to be of Concord parentage. 



