1. Mag. Hort., 1:459. 1835. 2. N. Y. Ag. Soc. Rpt., 1847:353. 3. Mag. Hort., 21:42, 1855. 4. Ib., 22:507. 1856. 5. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1856:163. 6. Downing, 1857:345. 7. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1858:72. 8. Horticulturist, 14:299. 1859. fig. 9. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1860:81. 10. Ib., 1862:146. 11. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1862:90. 12. Gar. Mon., 5:73, 74. 1863. 13. Grant, 1864:11. 14. Gar. Mon., 8:362. 1866. 15. Grape Cult., 1:327. 1869. 16. Downing, 1869:556. 17. Bush. Cat., 1883:139.
The Beautiful (16). Carter (4). Carter (7, 10, 16, 17, of Boston 12). Spofford Seedling (16, 17). Wyman (3). Wyman (10, 12, 16, 17).
The fruit characters of To-Kalon are so similar to those of Catawba that it was hardly worthy of introduction. Beside duplicating the Catawba in fruit the vines are not healthy, being very susceptible to mildew and rot, the fruit drops badly, and the crop does not ripen well. The quality of the fruit is very good, once it can be secured. A point in its favor is that it ripens a little before Catawba. The variety long since ceased to be of commercial importance and can now be found but rarely in collections.
To-Kalon was originated in the early part of the last century by Dr. Spofford of Lansingburg, New York. The originator states that it is a seedling of a European grape, but from its resemblance to Catawba it is supposed by many to have been a seedling of that variety. Wyman and Carter are two varieties of later introduction which are said to be identical with To-Kalon, but as the origin of each is apparently authentic and distinct it appears more probable that they are merely similar sorts. To-Kalon was placed on the list of sorts recommended by the American Pomological Society in 1862 but was dropped from this list in 1871.
The following description has been compiled from various sources:
Vine vigorous to rank, variable in productiveness, hardy, often mildews badly. Foliage large, abundant. Flowers do not always set well. Fruit ripens somewhat earlier than Catawba. Clusters large, shouldered. Berries large, oval to oblate, darker than Catawba, covered with heavy bloom, shells. Pulp sweet, of pure flavor, melting, very good in quality.
TRIUMPH.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
1. Grape Cult., 2:295. 1870. 2. Am. Jour. Hort., 9:84. 1871. 3. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1881:33, 40, 162. 4. Downing, 1881:169 app. 5. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1883:26. 6. Bush. Cat., 1883:140, fig., 141. 7. Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1884:217. 8. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1885:104. 9. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 11:637. 1892. 10. Va. Sta. Bul., 94:142. 1898. 11. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:535, 548, 557. 1898. 12. Miss. Sta. Bul., 56:17. 1899. 13. Mich. Sta. Bul., 169:176. 1899. 14. Ala. Sta. Bul., 110:89. 1900. 15. Ga. Sta. Bul., 53:49, 52, 59. 1901. 16. Kan. Sta. Bul., 110:243. 1902. 17. Traité gen. de vit., 5:186. 1903.
Campbell’s Concord Hybrid No. 6 (6). Campbell’s Seedling No. 6 (17). Hybride de Concord No. 6 (17).
When quality, color, shape and size of bunch and berry are all considered, Triumph is one of the finest dessert grapes of America. When at its best it is a magnificent bunch of golden grapes of highest quality, esteemed even in southern Europe where it must compete with the best of the Viniferas, though unfortunately it is nearly as susceptible in that region to phylloxera as the Old World varieties, a defect which has caused its relegation there from commercial vineyards to the collections of experimenters and amateurs. In America its commercial importance is curtailed by the fact that it requires a long season for its proper development and the variety justifies its name only in the South and more particularly in the Southwest. In the latitude of New York it is doubtfully hardy and the short summer season never permits it to attain the quality and beauty which characterize it further south.