Jaeger's Seedl. 



DESCRIPTION OV VARIETIES. 



Jefferson. 143 



the wild ^Ustivalis of Lincecumii-type, popularly 

 called Post-Oak grapes in Texas (also known in 

 Europe as ^Estivalis Jaeger). His aim was to 

 obtain, through selection and growing of seed- 

 lings a race of grapes better fit to resist the ex- 

 tremes of our Continental climate, as well as the 

 terrible pest of black rot, than any heretofore 

 cultivated. Many were his disappointments, due 

 to imperfect fruiting outside of their native 

 woods, when grown in gardens, where not mingled 

 with male plants. One, however, a Post-Oak 

 grape (No. 43, see figure p. 26), of Concord size, 

 with larger and more compact bunches than Con- 

 cord, and free from rot, proved so much superior 

 that Mr. Jaeger used it almost exclusively to cross 

 with other species of grape vines; it is hardly 

 fine enough to be recommended for table use. but 

 its vigor, freedom from rot, resistance to drouth, 

 heat and cold, large clusters and berries render 

 it eminently fit for hibridization.* 



To his three best (Nos. 70, 50 and 56) he gave 

 names: ^'•MunsoiV (see descr.), '■'•Longworth'''' and 

 "JOufour^^ (descr. p. 117). Among his others, not 

 yet named, Elvira Seedling No. 100 is con- 

 sidered quite desirable as a fine very early table 

 grape, but owing to liability to crack open it can 

 be recommended only for home use. It resembles 

 the Perkins in color, size of bunch and berries, 

 though rather larger; it is juicier, sprightlier, and 

 less foxy than any pure Labrusca, otherwise the 

 most Labrusca-like in vine and fruit. 



James. {Rotund.) 



Speaking of the improvement of the American gjape-^ 

 which may be produced by crossing the finer foreign 

 Varieties upon the most rugged and hardy of our 

 natives, Geo. W. Campbell, said: I have in my mind 

 an experiment in crossing the West's St. Peters, a large, 

 late and excellent black foreign grape, upon the Janes- 

 ville, a small grape, also bi.ack, which is one of the 

 hardiest, earliest and pooiest of our native varieties. 

 The result is a vine bearing heavy clusters of large, 

 oval berries, resembling in size and appearance the 

 foreign parent, ripening medium early and in quality 

 very nearly equal to it. In the fruit all trace of the 

 Janesville has disappeared. The vine and foliajje, 

 however, appear intermediate betwt en the two. I do 

 not expect the vine to be as hardy and the foliage not 

 as healthy as that of the Janesville, and it will require 

 some wjnter protection where the temperature falls, 

 much below zero. 



Jefferson. {Luhr. X ) This handsome 

 and excellent red grape, was raised by James 

 H. Ricketts, Newburgh.N. Y. It is a cross 

 between the Concord and lona. The foliage 

 is strong and healthy, not liable to mil- 

 dew ; the vine is vigorous in growth, hardy, 

 and bearing well ; wood rather short-jointed ; 

 leaves large, thick and downy. 



Bunch large, shouldered, some- 

 times double-shouldered, compact: 

 &en-?/ above medium, roundish-oval; 

 skin rather thick ; light red with a 

 thin lilac bloom ; flesh meaty yet 

 tender, juicy, sweet, slightly vinous, 



Janesville. {Labr. X Hip. ) 

 By some supposed to be a 

 cross of Hartfoi'd and 

 Clinton. An early black 

 grape, largely planted in 

 Iowa and Wisconsin, but 

 further south now gener- 

 ally discarded for better 

 varieties. Vine a vigorous 

 grower, hardy, healthy, 

 and pioductive: bunch me- 

 dium, short and compact; 

 berry medium to large, 

 black; skin thick: flesh 

 pulpy: quite acid; quality about like 

 Hartford; colors even earlier than 

 this variety, but fully ripe at about 

 same time. 



*M. iM;iri?s, a distinguished member 

 of the French Phylloxera Commission, 

 reports that among his Rupestris he 

 found one which the third season pro- 

 duced 1 kilo, grapes, of magnificent 

 color, ripe on the 2d of August, the 

 must of which had an excellent taste, 

 weighing 11" Beaume (S.^° Oechsle) 

 scale, and made a very good wine. 

 This variety may become the starting- 

 point for many interesting seedlings 

 or hybrids; it is of remarkably vigor- 

 ous growth and unharmed by Phyl- 

 loxera. The fibrous roots of the Ru- 

 pestris are long and strong, and defy 

 drought even in less than ordinary 

 soils. 



JEFFERSON. Reduced ^. 



aromatic. The berries adhere 

 strongly to the peduncle, and 

 the fruit maintains its freshness 

 long after being gathered. It 

 is of fine quality : clusters large, 

 handsome, closely resembling 

 the lona, which variety it also 

 equals in quality and flavor. 

 The annexed illustration shows 

 the form of the bunch, con- 

 siderably reduced in size. 



Where climate and seasons 

 are favorable to its develop- 

 ment it is one of the finest 

 red grapes, either for market 

 or home use, and would make 

 a superior wine. It ripens 

 about two weeks after the 

 Concord. Its beauty and high 



