THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 299 



HOSFORD. 



(Labrusca.) 



I. Can. Hart., 11:287. "888. 2. Rural .V. V., 49:737, fig-, 739, 856. i8go. 3. U. S. D. A. 

 Rfl.. 1893 :}64. 4. Bush. Cat., 1894:138. 5. .4m. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1894:75. 6. Mich. Sta. Bui., 

 169:171. 1899. 7. Ga. Sta. Bui., 53:45. 1901. 



Hospord's Mammoth Seedli.vo (2). Hosford's Seedling (i). 



Hosford is an offspring of Concord, differing from the parent chiefly 

 in the greater size of bunch and berry and in being less fruitful. The 

 variety is surpassed by Worden and Eaton, of the same type, and is probably 

 not worth cultivation. It is claimed by some that this variety is identi- 

 cal with Eaton. It is true that Hosford has a marked resemblance to 

 Eaton but there are noticeable differences in both vine and fruit characters 

 and the pure seedlings of the two varieties are entirely different, those of 

 Eaton being much darker in color and more vigorous. Hosford was sent 

 out several years before Eaton. The vine of this variety looks very much 

 like Concord except that the indentations along the margins of the leaves 

 are deeper. 



As a rule the black seedlings of Concord which have been introduced 

 are larger in cluster and berry than the parent and either not as high in 

 quality or no higher, differing materially from Concord's light-colored 

 seedlings, which are usually smaller in bunch and berry, or at least not 

 larger, and of distinctly better quality. Hosford is a typical black seedling 

 in the above respects. 



This variety originated in the garden of George Hosford of Ionia, 

 Michigan. It was fovmd by the owner about 1876 as a chance seedling 

 growing between two Concord vines. 



Vine not very vigorous, nearly hardy, unproductive. Canes short, few in number, 

 rather slender; tendrils continuous, bifid to trifid. Leaves medium to below in size, 

 intermediate in thickness; lower surface grayish-white to bronze, heavily pubescent. 

 Flowers semi-fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright. Fruit ripens shortly before 

 Concord, does not keep very well. Clusters medium to large, tapering, slightly shoul- 

 dered, moderately compact. Berries large to medium, roundish to sHghtly oval, dull 

 black covered with abundant blue bloom, persistent. Skin medium to thick, tender. 

 Flesh very pale green, unusually juicy, fine-grained, rather tender, vinous, sweet, good 

 in quality. Seeds not numerous, nearly large, very broad, blunt, plump. 



