GLENFELD.[189]
(Labrusca.)
1. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 11:624. 1892. 2. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1897:19. 3. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:530, 548, 555. 1898.
Grown in the Station vineyard since 1889, Glenfeld has made a somewhat favorable impression because of its excellent quality but it seems not to have been well received throughout the State and it is doubtful if it has more than a local reputation about the place of its origin. It is equaled or surpassed, however, by many other varieties of its season in vine characters and there is therefore little need that it should be longer perpetuated, though it may be worthy a place in the garden.
Glenfeld was found on the place of George J. Magee of Watkins, New York. Mr. Magee reports that the vine was on the place when he purchased it and the former owner knew nothing of it. The variety was locally supposed to be a seedling of Concord. It was sent to this Station for testing in 1889. For some reason it was placed upon the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog for 1897. Such action was hardly justified, as the variety had never been tested except in one or two neighborhoods, and it was taken off at the next meeting.
Vine vigorous, hardy except in severe winters, produces good crops. Canes long, numerous to medium, intermediate in thickness; tendrils continuous to intermittent, bifid to trifid. Leaves often very large, variable in color, medium to thick; lower surface tinged with bronze, strongly pubescent. Flowers nearly fertile, open in mid-season or earlier; stamens upright. Fruit ripens early in October, keeps fairly well. Clusters large to below medium, variable in shape, usually with a medium-sized single shoulder, not uniform in compactness. Berries nearly large to below medium, roundish, unique in color being a rather dull olive green covered with ash-gray bloom, somewhat inclined to shatter. Flesh tender, vinous, with an agreeable flavor, sweet at skin to tart at center, good in quality. Seeds medium to below in size, broad.
GOETHE.
(Vinifera, Labrusca.)
1. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1860:86. 2. Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1861:68. 3. Horticulturist, 18:98, 99. 1863. 4. U. S. D. A. Rpt., 1867:160. 5. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1867:44. 6. Horticulturist, 24:126. 1869. 7. Am. Jour. Hort., 5:261. 1869. 8. Grape Cult., 1:43, 150, 180, 239, 241, fig., 242, 296. 1869. 9. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1881:38, 162. 10. Bush. Cat., 1883:101, fig., 102. 11. Tex. Sta. Bul., 48:1150, 1157. 1898. 12. Mo. Sta. Bul., 46:39, 43, 44, 45, 50, 54. 1899. 13. Miss. Sta. Bul., 56:14. 1899.
Rogers’ No. 1 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Rogers’ No. 1 (6, 7, 8, 10).
Of all Rogers’ hybrids Goethe shows most of the Vinifera characters, resembling in appearance to a marked degree the White Malaga of European fame and not falling far short of the best Old World grape in quality. This is when it is well grown; but here lies the fault with Goethe, for it is most difficult to grow well especially in the North where the seasons are usually not long enough for its full maturity. When it does ripen in northern latitudes it is unsurpassed in flavor by any other of the grapes of its class. The vine is hardy in New York; vigorous to a fault, for in very rich soils it makes too great a growth; it does best in sands or gravels; it is fairly immune to mildew, rot and other diseases; and where it succeeds often bears so freely that thinning becomes a necessity. Added to its high quality, which makes it a splendid table grape, Goethe keeps well, lasting long into the winter. It is excellent for wine though it is too difficult to grow to make it profitable for this purpose. Unfortunately this variety ripens so late that it cannot be recommended for New York. The accompanying color-plate does not do the variety full justice as good specimens could not be obtained for illustration in the unfavorable season of 1907. Neither size, nor shape of cluster, nor color of fruit are quite as we should like to have them shown.