The grapes of New York

by U. P. Hedrick

1. Gar. Mon., 22:176. 1880. 2. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1881:144. 3. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 9:329. 1890. 4. Ib., 11:632. 1892. 5. Bush. Cat., 1894:170. 6. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:534, 547. 1898. 7. Mo. Sta. Bul., 46:41, 43, 44, 45, 53. 1899. 8. Mich. Sta. Bul., 169:175. 1899. 9. Ga. Sta. Bul., 53:48. 1901. 10. Kan. Sta. Bul., 110:239. 1902.

Poughkeepsie Red (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9).

Poughkeepsie has been known on the Hudson River for nearly a half century yet it is now but little grown there and has not been widely disseminated elsewhere. There is no doubt as to its quality, both as a table grape and for wine; in this respect it is considered by many as equal to the best of our American varieties and quite the equal of some of the finer European sorts. But the vine characters are practically all poor and the variety is thus effectually debarred from common cultivation. Both vine and fruit greatly resemble Delaware but it is not the equal of the latter variety in vine characters and does not surpass it in fruit. In particular, it is more easily winter-killed and is less productive than Delaware. It ripens with us a little earlier than the last named sort and this with its beauty and fine quality is sufficient to recommend it for the garden at least.

A. J. Caywood of Marlboro, New York, originated Poughkeepsie, it is said, from seed of Iona fertilized by mixed pollen of Delaware and Walter. The original seedling was raised in the sixties but the variety was only known locally until about 1880 when it was brought before the public. It has never been popular in any section and is now nearly obsolete.

Vine intermediate in vigor, doubtfully hardy, variable in productiveness, some seasons producing such heavy crops that the vine is weakened, and on this account a somewhat uncertain bearer. Canes medium to short, intermediate in number, thick to medium, dark reddish-brown; tendrils intermittent, frequently three in line, bifid to trifid. Leaves not healthy, medium to small, of average thickness; upper surface medium green, glossy, somewhat rugose on older leaves; lower surface pale green to grayish-green, thinly pubescent. Flowers fertile, open medium late; stamens upright.

Fruit ripens about with Delaware, keeps and ships fairly well. Clusters medium to below in size, intermediate in length and width, tapering to cylindrical, usually single-shouldered, very compact. Berries small, roundish, pale red to attractive red when properly ripened, covered with a medium amount of dark lilac bloom, persistent, firm. Skin thin and tender but does not crack, contains no pigment. Flesh pale green, very juicy, tender, nearly melting, fine-grained, vinous, sweet or nearly so from skin to center, refreshing, very good to best in quality. The flesh characters closely resemble Delaware. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, small, of medium length, medium to broad, usually plump with slightly enlarged neck, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of average size, distinctly above center, circular, obscure.

PRENTISS.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)

1. Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1878:357. 2. Ib., 1879:191, 194, 320, fig., 321. 3. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1881:24. 4. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1883:59, 61. 5. Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1884:343, 345. 6. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1885:103, 106, 144. 7. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 9:332. 1890. 8. Ill. Sta. Bul., 28:266. 1893. 9. Bush. Cat., 1894:171. fig. 10. Husmann, 1895:93. 11. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:534, 542, 545, 547, 552. 1898. 12. Mich. Sta. Bul., 169:175. 1899.

Prentiss is a green grape of good quality, once well known and generally recommended, but now going out of cultivation. If popular preference turned upon quality, we should still grow this variety, but consideration must be given to other characters and in these Prentiss fails. Those who have grown it in the several grape districts of New York accredit the vines with about all the faults a grape can have. Thus, it is almost universally considered tender to cold, lacking in vigor and being unproductive, while in some localities it is looked upon as uncertain in bearing, and subject to rot and mildew. On the other hand, there are vineyards in which it does very well and in such it is a remarkably attractive green grape, especially in form of cluster and in form and color of berry, in these respects resembling the one-time favorite Rebecca though never so high in quality as that variety. Its season is given as both before and after Concord. It must always remain a variety for the amateur and for special localities.

This variety is said to have been originated by J. W. Prentiss of Pulteney, Steuben County, New York, about forty years ago, from seed of Isabella.[208] It was introduced about 1880 by T. S. Hubbard of Fredonia, New York. In 1881 it was placed on the catalog of the American Pomological Society and is still retained.