Munson grew Jaeger from seed of a selected wild Post-oak vine pollinated by Herbemont. The seed was planted in 1885 and the variety was introduced by the originator in 1890. The culture of Jaeger seems to be slowly spreading. It was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1897 and is still retained there.
Vine vigorous, doubtfully hardy, an uncertain bearer in New York on account of winter injury but yielding good crops farther south. Canes variable in length, intermediate in number and thickness, covered with considerable blue bloom; tendrils intermittent, bifid to trifid. Leaves large, not uniform in color; lower surface grayish-green, slightly pubescent; stamens upright. Fruit ripens soon after Concord, matures evenly, keeps and ships well. Clusters medium to large, frequently single-shouldered, strongly compact. Berries below medium to small, roundish, frequently compressed on account of compactness of cluster, attractive black, covered with abundant blue bloom, persistent. Skin thin, tough. Flesh medium juicy, fine-grained, tender, spicy, somewhat tart from skin to center, good in quality. Seeds separate very easily from the pulp, not numerous, long, intermediate in size, sometimes with enlarged neck.
JAMES.
(Rotundifolia.)
1. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1889:136. 2. Bush. Cat., 1894:178. 3. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1899:30. 4. Ga. Sta. Bul., 53:45. 1901. 5. N. C. Sta. Bul., 187:61. 1903. 6. S. C. Sta. Bul., 132:16, 18. 1907.
James is the only variety of Rotundifolia possible to illustrate in this work. The accompanying color-plate, while not wholly satisfactory, yet shows characteristic fruit and foliage somewhat reduced in size. James is one of the largest of the Rotundifolia grapes and probably the best general purpose variety of this species. It cannot be grown north of Maryland.
The variety was originated by J. Van Lindley of Pitt County, North Carolina. It was introduced about 1890 and was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1899. It is not known in the North but is cultivated more or less throughout the habitat of Vitis rotundifolia in the South.
The following description of the variety is a compilation:
Vine vigorous, healthy, productive. Flowers open very late; stamens reflexed. Fruit ripens late, hangs on the vines for three weeks, keeps well. Clusters small, containing from four to twelve berries, irregular, loose. Berries large, three-fourths to one and one-quarter inches in diameter, roundish, black or blue-black. Skin very thin. Pulp juicy, sweet, good to best in quality.
JANESVILLE.
(Labrusca, Riparia.)
1. Rec. of Hort., 1868:45. 2. Horticulturist, 24:52, 203. 1869. fig. 3. Montreal Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1879:65. 4. Wis. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1881-2:141. 5. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1883:26. 6. Rural N. Y., 45:622. 1886. 7. Wis. Sta. An. Rpt., 5:161. 1888. 8. Mass. Hatch Sta. Bul., 2:20. 1888. 9. Wis. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1889:117. 10. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 10:496. 1891. 11. Bush. Cat., 1894:143. 12. Del. Sta. An. Rpt., 7:135, 138. 1895. 13. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:531, 545, 547, 555. 1898.