The general appearance of Goff is well shown in the accompanying color-plate though the cylindrical shape and enlarged lower end of the bunch are more pronounced than in typical specimens. Because of the peculiar shape of both bunch and berry the fruit cannot be called handsome though the color is sufficiently attractive. The quality of Goff is of the highest, being hardly surpassed by any of the commonly grown grapes of this country. The flavor is sweet, rich and vinous and the pulp, while firm, is tender and readily parts from the seeds. In general the flavor is that of a Labrusca-Vinifera hybrid though there is a spiciness in it that suggests an admixture of Aestivalis; the flesh characters are better than those of the average hybrid of the two first named species, being less pulpy and coarse. Probably the most valuable character of Goff is the long keeping quality of the fruit in which respect it far surpasses the several commercial varieties of this State and equals the best keeping American grapes known. In a test during the winter of 1907-08 of the keeping qualities of 255 varieties of grapes from the Station vineyards, kept in eight-pound baskets in common storage, unwrapped, Goff was one of the four best keepers, Canandaigua, Wilder and Vergennes being the other three. These four varieties kept in very good condition until April 16, and under circumstances not altogether favorable.
The vine characters of Goff are exceptionally good on the Station grounds. The vines are vigorous, hardy, very productive, and the foliage is healthy. All of the above characters are developed to an extent seldom found in a variety showing the specific blood indicated in the Goff. In these respects, taking all of them, this variety surpasses any of Rogers’ hybrids, grapes with which it can be best compared. The variety is now distributed for testing in the various grape regions of the State and if the reports of its behavior are satisfactory, it will be generally distributed within a few years.
Vine vigorous to very vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes medium to long, numerous, often rather thick, dark brown with slight reddish tinge; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes intermediate in length; diaphragm thick to medium; pith of average size; shoots pubescent; tendrils continuous, sometimes intermittent, long, bifid to trifid.
Leaf-buds intermediate in size and thickness, short to medium, plump, conical to roundly obtuse, open in mid-season. Young leaves tinged on lower side and along margin of upper side with light rose-carmine. Leaves healthy, medium to large, of average thickness; upper surface light green; smooth to rugose, dull; lower surface pale green, slightly cobwebby; veins fairly distinct; lobes three to five in number with terminal lobe obtuse to acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow; basal sinus medium to shallow, rather wide; lateral sinus deep, wide; teeth shallow, of average width. Flowers fertile, open in mid-season or later, sometimes on plan of six; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens a little later than Concord, keeps unusually well. Clusters variable in size, long to medium, frequently very slender, cylindrical, surface of cluster often irregular with blunt end larger than the part above, usually not shouldered, or with a small single shoulder, compact; peduncle usually short, intermediate in thickness; pedicel rather short, of average thickness, covered with few, if any warts, wide at point of attachment to fruit; brush short, slender, pale green with faint brown tinge. Berries variable in size, averaging about the size of Concord, frequently misshapen, strongly flattened, not uniform, dark reddish-purple, covered with heavy lilac or bluish bloom, persistent, firm. Skin thick, intermediate in toughness, adheres slightly to the pulp, with bright red pigment, slightly astringent. Flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, tender, a little coarse, somewhat vinous, sweet from skin to center, very good in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, one to five, average three, intermediate in size, variable in breadth, of medium length, rather sharp-pointed, light brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of fair size, above center, distinct.