6 BULLETIN 861, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE NIAGARA. 



The Niagara is the leading white variety, but does not find much 

 favor outside of New York State, where it is a leader in the Lake 

 Ontario district, a relatively unimportant section. It has never 

 attained great commercial popularity, because its quality is not 

 high, and because of the difficulties surrounding its culture. This 

 variety is very weak in the root, is subject to insect attack and sub- 

 sequent winter injury, does not mature its wood well, and is often 

 badly affected by fungus diseases. 



In appearance the Niagara is a very showy grape, with large, well- 

 formed bunches. The 'skin does not crack easily, but the berries* 

 shell badly from the stem. It has to a marked degree the " foxy " 

 taste so characteristic of the labrusca species, and for that reason 

 finds high favor with a small part of the consuming public. This 

 results in an active demand for small quantities of this variety, with 

 usual price premiums over blue varieties, but if Niagaras appeared 

 in the market in as large quantities as Concords, it is probable that 

 the special demand would be oversupplied and the price decline 

 lower than that held by standard blue grapes. 



THE CATAWBA. 



The Catawba is a red variety of high quality and attractiveness, and 

 is probably the best keeper of the commercial grapes. It is widely dis- 

 tributed, being a leading grape in Ohio, New York, and the South- 

 east. The late ripening of this varietur, with its susceptibility to 

 earl} 7 frosts, prevents its wider dissemination. In only two sections 

 of the North are Catawbas planted extensively — the Erie shore of 

 Ohio and the Central Lake district of New York. The variety is 

 at its best in the latter section, particularly on the banks of Lake 

 Keuka, on land extending back to an altitude of 100 feet above the 

 surface of the lake. It is a very attractive grape, the bunches being 

 large, even, and compact. Its quality is high, though often impaired 

 by premature picking. In the past it has been largely used for wine, 

 as it makes a good, light-colored vintage, which was often used as 

 a basis for champagne. As a matter of fact, the American cham- 

 pagne industry was largely built upon this variety. Prohibition leg- 

 islation released large quantities of Catawba stock hitherto used by 

 wineries, but it is coming into favor for the manufacture of white 

 grape juice, and much larger amounts than formerly will probably 

 be consumed for this purpose. 



As the Catawba is in only fair demand for table stock in most 

 markets, and as the juice factories do not seem to be able to use all 

 the stock formerly used for wine, this variety will probably appear 



