3 72 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



plaints of its being unfruitful and some of its being unhealthy and in con- 

 sequence a weak grower. In some sections, however, it is fairl3- satisfactory. 

 While it keeps well it is said to lose flavor soon after picking. Oneida is 

 one of the rare sorts with erect stamens and yet self -sterile. 



H. Thacher of Oneida County, New York, originated Oneida from 

 seed of Merrimac planted in 187 1. It bore its first fruit in 1875 ^.nd was 

 introduced by A. M. Purdy of Palmyra in 1884. The vine characters are 

 largely those of Labrusca but the fruit shows very strongly the descent 

 from Vinifera. Unlike the berries of Labrusca there is no disagreeable 

 taste near either skin or seeds and the texture of skin and flesh is much 

 like that of the European Malaga. 



Vine medium in vigor, not hardy, variable in productiveness, somewhat subject to 

 attacks of fungi. Canes medium to long, numerous, often rather slender, roughened; 

 tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves large to medium, moderately light green; lower 

 surface pale green, pubescent. Flowers sterile, open medium late; stamens upright. 

 Fruit ripens later than Concord, keeps well. Clusters small to medium, tapering, usu- 

 ally single-shouldered, loose. Berries variable in size, roundish, handsome red in color, 

 almost equal to Delaware although in some seasons the berries have an unattractive 

 greenish-red color. Skin thick, adheres considerably to the pulp. Flesh somewhat 

 stringy, tender, vinous, sweet from skin to center, with some Vinifera sprightliness, 

 fair to good in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, not numerous, rather 

 large, broad, short, plump, usually with a small enlarged neck; chalaza large, distinct, 

 roughened. 



OPORTO. 

 (Riparia, Labrusca.) 



I. Mag. Hori., 26:552. i860, fig. 2. U.S. Pat. Off. Rp!., 1861:477. 3- A'"- Pom. Soc. Cat.. 

 1862:90. 4. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1862:157. 5. Strong. 1866:352. 6. Husmann, 1866:124. 7- 

 Fuller, 1867:247. 8. Ant. Jour. Horl., 4:275. 1868. 9. .4m. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1871:108. 10. 

 Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1872:540. fig. 11. Bt^sh. Cat.. 1883:128. 



Blue Tart (2). Blue Vine Grape (2). Oporto (2'). 



Oporto wsLS at one time somewhat sought for as a wine grape from 

 the fact that its wine resembled in color and flavor that from Oporto. The 

 name has given many the idea that the grape is a European variety — a 

 misnomer in this respect, as its botanical characters show it to be a cross 

 between Riparia and Labrusca. The variety is now scarcely known, being 

 inferior in most of its horticultural characters to others of its species, but 

 it might be valuable in breeding work for some of its characters. Oporto 



