Leaf-buds medium to nearly large, short, below average thickness, conical to pointed, open in mid-season. Young leaves lightly tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side, prevailing color rose-carmine. Leaves large to medium, thick; upper surface dark green, slightly glossy, rather smooth; lower surface light bronze, heavily pubescent; veins distinct; lobes three when present, terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus variable averaging medium in depth and width; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus obscure and frequently notched; teeth shallow, medium to narrow. Flowers fertile, open in mid-season or earlier; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens about mid-season, keeps from one to two months. Clusters rather uniform, large to medium, intermediate in length, wide, broadly tapering, usually single-shouldered, sometimes double-shouldered, medium to rather compact; peduncle short to medium, thick; pedicel of average length, thick, nearly smooth; brush intermediate in length, pale green. Berries medium to large, roundish, slightly glossy, black covered with abundant blue bloom, not always persistent, firm. Skin of average thickness, moderately tough, slightly adherent to pulp, contains a small amount of wine-colored pigment, somewhat astringent. Flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, rather fine-grained, somewhat tough and solid, slightly foxy, sweet at skin, inclined to tartness next the seeds, good in quality. Seeds rather adherent, one to four in number, average three, nearly large, broad, distinctly notched, plump, blunt, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of fair size, slightly above center, oval, nearly obscure. Must 70°-80°.
COTTAGE.
(Labrusca.)
1. Am. Jour. Hort., 4:327, 334. 1868. 2. Horticulturist, 26:22. 1871. 3. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1879. 4. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1881:36. 5. Rural N. Y., 52:655. 1893. 6. Ill. Sta. Bul., 28:253. 1893. 7. Bush. Cat., 1894:108. 8. Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1895:131. 9. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:528, 545, 547, 554. 1898. 10. Mich. Sta. Bul., 169:169. 1899.
In vine and fruit Cottage greatly resembles its parent, Concord, having, however, remarkably large, thick, leathery leaves well shown in the color-plate. It is noted, too, for its strong, branching root system. With good foliage and good roots it is not surprising that it is a vigorous, thrifty grower—if anything surpassing its parent in vigor of growth. The canes are so rough as to be almost spiny indicating, seemingly, outbursts of growth-force. The Cottage is of better quality than its parent having far less foxiness and a richer, more delicate flavor. It is given credit, too, of being a better shipper and a better keeper and is from one to two weeks earlier. Its good qualities are offset, however, by the fact that it lacks in soil adaptability, is comparatively unproductive, and ripens unevenly. It blooms much earlier than Concord. Cottage is recommended as an early grape of the Concord type for the garden and a standard variety for northern localities. The variety is widely distributed in varietal vineyards.
Cottage is another of E. W. Bull’s seedlings, having been produced by him from seed of Concord. It was introduced in 1869 and in 1879 it was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog, where it has since been retained.