368 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



type were not looked upon with favor by the early viticulturists and it was 

 not until some years after its introduction that the variety was widely 

 planted — and then in Missouri and not in the region of its origin. The 

 Norton was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society- 

 fruit catalog in 1867, and is yet retained. 



This variety has been usually classed as Aestivalis, which is approxi- 

 mately correct although most viticulturists agree that there is a strain of 

 Labrusca present as indicated by the occasional continuity of tendrils. 

 Millardet, of France, believes that the variety may contain a strain of 

 Cinerea as well. But in fruit at least, Norton is essentially a variety of 

 Aestivalis. 



Vine very vigorous, healthy, usually hardy but sometimes half-hardy, an uncertain 

 bearer at this Station but producing heavy crops in more southern localities. Canes 

 long, of average number, thick to medium, dark brown to reddish-brown, surface covered 

 with considerable blue bloom; nodes much enlarged; internodes medium to long; 

 diaphragm thick; pith large to medium; shoots pubescent; tendrils intermittent, 

 occasionally continuous, long, bifid to sometimes trifid. 



Leaf-buds above average size and thickness, short to medium, often compressed, 

 obtuse to conical, open late. Young leaves considerably tinged on upper and under 

 sides with bright carmine. Leaves medium to large, irregularly roundish, of average 

 thickness; upper surface green, dull, rugose on older leaves; lower surface pale green, 

 slightly pubescent ; veins indistinct ; leaf usually not lobed with terminus acute to some- 

 times obtuse; petiolar sinus deep to medium, narrow, sometimes closed and overlapping; 

 basal sinus usually absent ; lateral sinus shallow to a mere notch when present ; teeth 

 variable in depth and width. Flowers self-fertile, open late; stamens upright. 



Fruit ripens too late for this locality, keeps well when properly matured. Clusters 

 medium to small, inclined to short, moderately broad, tapering, usually single-shouldered, 

 medium to compact; peduncle short to medium, thick, sometimes flattened; pedicel 

 intermediate in length, slender, covered with few warts; brush dull, wine-colored. 

 Berries medium to small, roundish to oblate, black, somewhat glossy, covered with 

 heavy blue bloom, persistent, soft. Skin thin, of average toughness, does not adhere to 

 the pulp, contains a large amount of dark red pigment, no astringency. Flesh greenish, 

 translucent, juicy, tender, spicy, tart and somewhat astringent. Seeds separate fairly 

 easily from the pulp, two to six, average three, numerous, medium to small, intermediate 

 in breadth and length, not notched, brownish; raphe distinct; chalaza small, above 

 center, circular, obscure. Must io5°-no°. 



