VARIETIES OF GRAPES 411 



MILLS 



(Labrusca, Vinifera) 



The bunches and berries of Mills are large and well-formed ; 

 the berries are firm and solid, with the skin adherent as in Vi- 

 niferas ; the flesh is juicy and parts readily from the seeds ; the 

 flavor is rich, sweet and vinous ; and the grapes are hardly 

 surpassed in keeping quality. But when the fruit characters 

 of Mills have been praised, nothing further can be said in its 

 favor. The vines are neither vigorous, hardy nor fruitful and 

 are very subject to mildew ; neither wood nor roots ripen well 

 in the North in average seasons ; and the variety is a most 

 difficult one for nurserymen to grow. Mills is of doubtful 

 commercial value, but for the garden it is possible that the 

 grower may be able to graft it to advantage on some variety 

 with better vine characters. William H. Mills, Hamilton, 

 Ontario, grew Mills about 1870 from seed of Muscat Hamburg 

 fertilized by Creveling. 



Vine medium in vigor, hardiness and productiveness. Canes long, 

 thick, light brown ; nodes enlarged, flattened ; tendrils intermittent, 

 bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick ; upper surface dark green, dull, 

 rugose ; lower surface pale green, cobwebby ; lobes three to five with 

 terminus acute ; petiolar sinus intermediate in depth and width ; basal 

 and lateral sinuses deep and wide ; teeth deep. Flowers self -fertile, 

 open in mid-season ; stamens upright. 



Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters large, long, slender, cy- 

 lindrical, often double-shouldered, compact ; pedicel slender with nu- 

 merous, small warts ; brush long, wine-colored. Berries large, oval, 

 jet-black with abundant bloom, persistent, firm ; skin thick, tough, 

 adherent ; flesh light green, translucent, juicy, rich, tender, sprightly, 

 vinous, sweet ; very good to best. Seeds free, one to three, large, brown. 



. 

 MlSH 



(Rotundifolia) 



Mish is a favorite Rotundifolia in North Carolina, being 

 planted extensively in some parts of that state. Its outstand- 



