THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 343 



MASSASOIT. 



(Labrusca, Vinifera.) 



I. .4m. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1862:14s, 152. 2. Hortuullurisl, 18:99. 1863. 3. Am. Pom. Soc. 

 C^it.. 1867:44. 4. Horticulturist, 24:126. i86g. 5. Grape Cidt., i:i8o, 326. 1809. 6. Ind. Sta. 

 Bill.. 33:34. 1890. 7. Gar. and For., 3:214, 255. 490. 1890. 8. Kan. Sta. Bui., 28:164. 1891. 

 9. .V. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 10:497. iSgi- 10. Bush. Cat., 1894:154. 11. iV. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 

 17:533. 548. SSS- '898. 



Rogers' No. 3 (i, 2, 3). Rogers' Xo. 3 (4, 5. 6, 10). 



Massasoit is distinguished as being the earhest of Rogers' hybrids 

 though it is not. as some viticulturists say, as early as Hartford, ripening 

 rather with Delaware or a little later. It has the peculiarity or defect of 

 being at its best before full maturity, and of developing after ripening 

 a degree of foxiness which impairs its quality. In shape and size of berry, 

 and sometimes in bunch, there is a striking resemblance to Isabella, another 

 suggestion of Vinifera in the latter sort, but the color is that of Catawba. 

 The texture of the fruit is especially good, firm but tender and juicy, while 

 the flavor, as with all of Rogers' grapes, is rich and sweet, though in the 

 case of Massasoit, hardly as good as others of these hybrids. The vine 

 is vigorous, hardy and productive but very subject to mildew and rot. 

 Massasoit is well worth a place in the home vineyard, and as an early grape, 

 of fine quality for the local market. 



For an account of the early history and parentage of Massasoit the 

 reader is referred to Rogers' Hybrids. The variety attracted considerable 

 attention even w^hile it w^as known only as Rogers' Xo. j and was placed 

 on the American Pomological Society's list of recommended sorts as 

 early as 1867. In 1869 it was named by Rogers after Massasoit, the 

 Indian chief who was so intimately connected with the early history of 

 Massachusetts. 



Vine vigorous to very vigorous, hardy in all but unusually cold winters, often very 

 productive, very subject to rot and mildew. Canes long, intermediate in number, 

 thick, inclined to dark brown with slight reddish tinge; nodes enlarged, flattened; 

 internodes long to medium; diaphragm of average thickness; pith large; shoots thinly 

 pubescent; tendrils continuous, long, trifid to bifid. 



Leaf-buds large to medium, long, unusually thick, obtuse to conical, hea\'ily coated 

 with brownish pubescence. Young leaves tinged on upper and under sides with rose- 

 carmine. Leaves variable in size, medium to thin, upper surface light green, dull, smooth 



