THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 303 



serious faults. lona rivals Delaware as the standard in quality of Ameri- 

 can grapes, though if flavor alone be considered, grape connoisseurs 

 generally agree that it surj^asses Delaware and is the finest flavored of all 

 our grapes. 



In flavor lona has a rare combination of sweetness and acidity, pure, 

 delicate and vinous. The flesh is transparent, melting, tender, juicy, and 

 of uniform consistence quite to the center. The seeds are few and small 

 and part readily from the flesh. The color is a peculiar dark-red wine 

 with a tint of amethyst, somewhat variable and not always attractive. 

 The bunch, at its best, is large but rather loose with berries varying some- 

 what in size and ripening unevenly. It cannot be called a particularly 

 handsome grape. The fruit does not decay readily and may be kept in a 

 good fruit room until late winter without loss of flavor and with the berries 

 adhering to the bunch. Beside being a most excellent table grape, it is 

 much sought for by wine-makers for champagne and for making finely- 

 flavored white wines. 



The vine characters of lona are not nearly as good as those of the fruit. 

 To do well it must have a soil e.xactly suited to its wants. Seemingly it does 

 best in deep, dry, sandy or gravelly clays and cannot be grown in damp, 

 rich, black soils on the one hand nor poor sands or gravels on the other. 

 Vergil's lines as to the treatment of soils for vines are especially applicable 

 to the lona. 



"A free loose earth is what the vines demand, 

 Where wind and frost have help'd the lab'rer's hand, 

 And sturdy peasants deep have stirr'd the land." 



This variety does especially well when trained against v.-alls or buildings, 

 attaining under such conditions rare perfection. It is not hard}- in any but 

 favored localities in New York and in many parts of the State must have 

 careful winter protection. The vines are not vigorous and are inclined to 

 overbear, to remedy which it must have close priming, or be grafted on a 

 strong growing stock. In localities where mildew and rot thrive lona is 

 badly attacked by these diseases. The vines bear early and the fruit ripens 

 at mid-season or shortly after. lona is a grape for the amateur and for 

 the careful vinevardist. Few varieties are more desiral^le or satisfactory 



