FAITH.
(Riparia, Labrusca.)
1. Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1881:164. 2. Bush. Cat., 1883:100. 3. Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1883:43. 4. Rural N. Y., 45:622, 640. 1886. 5. Ind. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1889:85. 6. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 11:623. 1892. 7. Ill. Sta. Bul., 28:263. 1893. 8. Tenn. Sta. Bul., Vol. 9:180. 1896. 9. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:530, 548, 555. 1898.
Though spoken of as a desirable grape in many other regions Faith is of little or no value in New York. It is very unattractive in appearance as it grows in this State, both in cluster and in berry, the clusters being small and variable and the berries small and of unattractive color. The quality of the fruit is not high and there are many other white sorts which surpass it as a table grape, more especially Diamond which ripens at the same time. If it has any preeminently good character for this region it is productiveness but this cannot offset its mediocre characters. Another fault is that the blossoms put forth so early that they often suffer from spring frosts.
Faith is of the same breeding and from the same originator, Jacob Rommel of Morrison, Missouri, as Etta, both having come from seed of Elvira. This seedling was introduced to the public about 1881 and though an excellent grape it is hardly the equal of Etta and has never been able to compete with that variety. It was named in honor of Jacob Faith, a prominent Missouri viticulturist.
Vine medium to vigorous, hardy except in severe winters, usually healthy, variable in productiveness. Canes long to medium, numerous; tendrils continuous, bifid. Leaves large to medium, dark green; lower surface grayish-green, thinly pubescent. Flowers sterile to partly fertile, open medium early; stamens upright. Fruit ripens about with Diamond or slightly earlier, does not keep well. Clusters above medium to small, variable in length, usually slender, often heavily single-shouldered, loose. Berries quite small, roundish, dull green, frequently with yellow tinge changing to pale amber, covered with abundant gray bloom, persistent, rather soft. Flesh moderately juicy, nearly tender, agreeably flavored, sweet next the skin to somewhat tart at center, fair to good in quality. Seeds numerous, of average size, broad.
FERN MUNSON.
(Lincecumii, Vinifera, Labrusca.)
1. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 11:623. 1892. 2. Bush. Cat., 1894:127. 3. Husmann, 1895:130. 4. Kan. Sta. Bul., 73:182, 184. 1897. 5. Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1897:206. 6. Va. Sta. Bul., 94:134. 1898. 7. Tex. Sta. Bul., 48:1150, 1157. 1898. 8. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:530, 548, 555. 1898. 9. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1899:29. 10. Tex. Sta. Bul., 56:277. 1900. 11. Kan. Sta. Bul., 110:247. 1902. 12. Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1904:302, 305.
Admirable (11). Fern (2, 5). Fern Munson (2). Hilgarde (4). Munson’s No. 76 (4).
Fern Munson is not adapted to northern regions, forty degrees north latitude being its limit of adaptation according to Munson,[188] its originator. Nevertheless when it has ripened in New York the fruit has shown some very good characters, as attractive appearance, agreeable quality, and unobjectionable seeds and skin. The vines are vigorous and productive but the foliage is not remarkably healthy in the Station vineyard though it has been very abundant.