332 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



the opinion that the two varieties are identical. Those who cultivated 

 it earliest and most extensively were, however, of the opinion that they 

 were very similar but distinct. The vine is too tender in the North for 

 cultivation and there are complaints from some sections in the South of 

 the fruit rotting badly. 



The following description is taken from various sources: 



Vine very vigorous, stocky, short-jointed; leaves cordate, not lobed. Cluster 

 medium to small, shouldered, compact. Berry small, round, black with blue bloom, 

 without pulp, juicy, spicy, sweet. 



LUCILE. 

 (Labrusca.) 



I. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 18:395. iSgg. 2. Rural .V. Y., 60:167. 'QOi- 3- <^<'- -^'a- Bid., 

 53:46. iQOT. 4. Budd-Hansen, 2 :384. igo2. 



Lucile is of interest and of value because of its truly remarkable vine 

 characters. In vigor, health, hardiness and productiveness it is not sur- 

 passed by any of the cultivated native grapes. It is probably a seedling 

 of Wyoming but the vine is much more vigorous than even that variety, 

 which is considered a very strong grower. Yet with all of its great growth 

 Lucile ripens its wood almost perfectly. It is very productive, as much 

 so as any other of our native grapes, often bearing four bunches to the 

 shoot, its crops exceeding those of Concord. It has never been known to 

 winterkill in the grape regions of New York and is probably as hardy as 

 any other of our Labruscas. Its fruit and foliage are very nearly immune 

 to the fungal diseases of the grape. 



Unfortunately the fruit characters of Lucile are not as desirable as 

 the vine characters. The size, form, and color of bunches and berries 

 are all good, making a very attractive fruit, but it has an obnoxious, foxy 

 taste and odor objectionable to those who know good grapes though even 

 in flavor it is better than its supposed parent and is on a par with some 

 of the other varieties of its season. A further objection to the berries is 

 that they are both pulpy and seedy. It is earlier than Concord, coming 

 about with Worden or preceding it a few days. For so early a variety 

 the fruit keeps very well and in spite of its somewhat thin skin ships x&cy 

 well. It is not at all capricious as to soils, seemingly thriving in all good 

 grape soils. 



