Were it not almost impossible to grow healthy vines of Walter it would take rank among the best of our American grapes. But stunted by fungi which nearly every year attack leaves, young wood and fruit, it is only possible in exceptionally favorable seasons to produce a crop of grapes with this variety. Not infrequently the attacks of mildew are so severe that the vines are defoliated before mid-season. Besides its susceptibility to cryptogamic diseases the variety is fastidious as to soils and even in localities to which it seems adapted it is variable in growth. While not to be classed among the tender grapes yet it is injured in severe winters, and is almost certain to suffer some injury after defoliation by fungi. There are several reports at hand which seem to show that it is hardier and more vigorous on the roots of hardy, strong-growing varieties.
As if to atone for the faults of the vine the fruit of Walter is almost perfect, lacking only in the size of bunch and berry. The bunch and berry resemble Delaware, one of its parents, while it has the peculiar flavor of Diana, the other parent. Well grown, the fruit is more attractive than that of Delaware but it cannot be said that the quality is quite the equal of that of either of its parents. It does not have the fault of ripening its berries unevenly, one of the defects which debars Diana from profitable cultivation. Though more fastidious, Walter is usually adapted to conditions under which Delaware thrives. The variety has been cultivated for nearly half a century but is seemingly less and less grown, a fact to be regretted; for there are few American grapes of more exquisite flavor and aroma and more dainty appearance. It is said that when protected from dew by walls or other shelter the vines are not so badly attacked by fungi, if at all, and that Walter may thus be grown to perfection. If this be true grape-lovers should see that the variety is long retained in collections and for the garden.
A. J. Caywood originated this variety about 1850 from seed of Delaware pollinated by Diana. It was placed on the grape list of the American Pomological Society fruit catalog in 1871. Walter is still to be found in an occasional varietal vineyard but it is seldom offered for sale by nurserymen.
Vine moderately vigorous, not hardy in exposed locations, variable in productiveness, subject to attacks of fungi. Canes medium to above in length and size, dark reddish-brown, surface covered with thin blue bloom; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes medium to above in length; diaphragm thick; pith of fair size; shoots pubescent; tendrils intermittent, medium to above in length, bifid.
Leaf-buds small, intermediate in length and thickness, pointed to conical. Foliage of average size, thick; upper surface dark green, glossy, smooth; lower surface tinged with bronze, heavily pubescent; lobes none to three with terminus acute; petiolar sinus of average depth, narrow to medium; basal sinus lacking; lateral sinus usually a notch if present; teeth intermediate in depth and width. Flowers open in mid-season; stamens upright.
Fruit somewhat variable in season of ripening, averaging about with Delaware, keeps and ships well. Clusters medium in size and length, broad, cylindrical to tapering, usually single-shouldered, compact; peduncle short to medium, of average thickness; pedicel medium in length, slender, covered with small scattering warts; brush short, slender, green with brownish tinge. Berries small to medium, often strongly ovate, red, much like Delaware, glossy, covered with a moderate amount of lilac bloom, persistent, firm. Skin intermediate in thickness, very tough, adheres but slightly to the pulp, contains no pigment, without astringency. Flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, tough, somewhat foxy, vinous, quite strongly aromatic, sweet next the skin to tart at center, good to very good in quality. Seeds do not separate easily from the pulp, one to four, average three, below medium in size and length, intermediate in width, medium to sharp-pointed, light brown; raphe obscure; chalaza large, above center, irregularly circular, distinct. Must 100°.
