8 ENOLOGICAL STUDIES. 



treated by inversion and reduction in the usual manner. The pres- 

 ence of sucrose in these samples of Scuppernong grapes was con- 

 firmed by examination with the polariscope and by the use of inver- 

 tase. While Mr. Gore reports polariscopic readings on other grape 

 juices, namely, Concord and Catawba, which indicate the presence of 

 sucrose, none was recovered from these varieties by inversion and 

 reduction. 



It is only fair to say that the very small amount of sucrose, 0.07 

 per cent, shown by inversion in the one variety of Scuppernong is so 

 slight as to warrant the belief that sucrose may not have been actu- 

 ally present in this instance. It has been frequently shown in these 

 investigations that inversion renders some substances active to cop- 

 per which were not so before. Whether the slight increase in total 

 sugar thus obtained should be interpreted as indicating sucrose, re- 

 mains to be determined by further investigation. Mr. Gore seems to 

 have been the first to note the occurrence of sucrose in the fruit of a 

 species of Vitis, and the present report records the first discovery of 

 sucrose in the varieties of the group commonly cultivated in the 

 Eastern and Central States, namely, the Labrusca type, to which 

 Concord, Catawba, and many of the best known grapes belong. 



WORK OF 1909. 

 ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SEEDLING. 



On September 8, 1909, while making some preliminary examina- 

 tions of grapes at Sandusky, Ohio, a very attractive looking fruit, 

 quite sweet, with a mild, pleasant flavor and low acidity, was found 

 at a local store. The analysis, made in the usual manner, without 

 inversion, showed that this fruit contained a very large proportion of 

 nonsugar solids, and this fact suggested examination for sucrose, with 

 the result that the large percentage of sucrose shown in the table was 

 found. This very unusual characteristic led to an inquiry as to the 

 source of the fruit, and from the dealer it was learned that it came from 

 a vineyard at Venice, Ohio, about 3 miles west of Sandusky. Through 

 the courtesy of the owner's son, Mr. William L. Steuk, the vineyard 

 was inspected and the grapes examined. The vines appeared to lack 

 vigor, the growth was uneven, and, though quite heavily hung with 

 fruit, the bunches varied much in character and perfection of set of 

 berries. The well-filled bunches were very beautiful and it appeared 

 to be an important new grape if it could be successfully grown. 



It was, therefore, decided to make a further study of this grape; 

 and its very unusual chemical composition, together with its beauty 

 and mild flavor absolutely without foxiness led to a sample being 

 submitted to Mr. G. B. Brackett, the pomologist of the United States 



