Fruit ripens in mid-season, ships and keeps fairly well. Clusters variable in size, above medium to short, moderately broad, cylindrical to slightly tapering, usually single-shouldered, compact to medium; peduncle long to medium, thick; pedicel of average length, slender, usually smooth; brush short, pale green. Berries large to medium, oblate to roundish, frequently compressed on account of compactness of cluster, light green with yellow tinge, glossy, covered with a moderate amount of gray bloom, persistent, firm, but breaking easily under pressure. Skin thin, cracks badly, medium to tender, adheres very slightly to the pulp, contains no pigment, without astringency. Flesh greenish, translucent, juicy, tender and melting, slightly stringy, sweet to agreeably tart at center, variable in quality but ranks fair to good, appears to be better in some locations. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, one to four, average two, medium in size and length, rather broad, sharp-pointed, very plump, brownish; raphe buried in a somewhat wide groove; chalaza intermediate in size, above center, oval to circular, indistinct.
R. W. MUNSON.
(Lincecumii, Labrusca, Vinifera.)
1. Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1893:118. 2. Husmann, 1895:126. 3. Tex. Sta. Bul., 56:280. 1900. 4. Ga. Sta. Bul., 53:49. 1901. 5. Rural N. Y., 60:614, 726. 1901. 6. Ib., 62:790, 886. 1903. 7. Ia. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1904:239.
R. W. Munson, from Texas, is a somewhat promising variety for the North for its intrinsic value, and is certainly interesting from the standpoint of its breeding as it gives Northern growers a grape with a generous admixture of Lincecumii blood. Its several essential vine characters are very good though it is self-sterile and needs a companion variety which produces an abundance of pollen. Concord and Brilliant are recommended by the originator as notable pollenizers. R. W. Munson is particularly resistant to black-rot, making it valuable for regions where this fungus is a scourge. The fruit is sweet, juicy and very pleasantly flavored, with tender pulp, and while not of the highest quality yet a most pleasing and particularly refreshing grape. The variety is well worthy more extensive trial in New York.
T. V. Munson of Denison, Texas, raised the original vine of R. W. Munson from seed of Big Berry (a variety of Post-oak) pollinated by Triumph. The seed was planted in 1887 and the resulting variety introduced by the originator in the fall of 1894.
Vine vigorous, doubtfully hardy, productive, healthy. Canes medium to nearly long, intermediate in number, thick to medium, dark red; internodes medium to long; tendrils intermittent, bifid. Leaves healthy. Flowers sterile or nearly so, open late; stamens upright.
Fruit ripens about with Concord, does not keep well. Clusters below medium to small, rather short, often single-shouldered, compact to medium. Berries medium to large, slightly oblate, dull black covered with a medium amount of blue bloom, inclined to shatter considerably, not very firm. Skin thin, variable in toughness, not astringent. Flesh pale green, rather tender when fully ripe, peculiarly vinous, nearly sweet at skin to agreeably tart at center, slightly spicy and with some Post-oak flavor, good in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, rather numerous, intermediate in size, length, and width. Raphe obscure in a very shallow groove; chalaza slightly above center, oval; obscure.
SAGE.
(Labrusca.)
1. Allen, 1848:134. 2. Horticulturist, 6:575. 1851. Ib., 7:87, 108. 1852. 4. U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt., 1853:300, 301. 5. Mag. Hort., 24:91. 1858. 6. U. S. Pat. Off. Rpt., 1859:48, 55, 66. 7. U. S. D. A. Rpt., 1864:134. 8. N. Y. Ag. Soc. Rpt., 1865:337. fig. 9.(?) Bush. Cat., 1894:151.
Mammoth (7, 8). ?Mammoth Sage (9). Sage (7, 8). Globe (8).