Centennial is now scarcely heard of though at the time of its introduction, shortly after the Centennial of 1876, it was looked upon as a valuable acquisition. Its chief meritorious attributes are high quality and attractive appearance; while its faults, which greatly outweigh its merits, are lack of vigor, susceptibility to fungi, and lack of hardiness. Centennial is much like Delaware and is surpassed by it in nearly all respects.
The variety was originated by D. S. Marvin, of Watertown, New York. It is a cross between a Labrusca seedling of Marvin’s and a seedling of Eumelan. It was first fruited in 1875, and was introduced in 1882 by the originator. Vines were received by this Station in 1883. The tenderness and lateness of ripening of Centennial, as well as its botanical characters, indicate Vinifera blood.
The following description is a compilation from several sources:
Vine vigorous, somewhat tender, fairly productive. Leaves rounded, slightly three-lobed, smooth. Clusters medium to small, compact, tapering or cylindrical, sometimes slightly shouldered. Berries medium to small, pale red or amber color with thin white bloom, adhere firmly to pedicel. Skin rather thick, tough. Flesh tender, juicy, sweet, resembling Delaware in flavor, good to very good. About the same season as Concord.
CHALLENGE.
(Labrusca, Vinifera?)
1. Am. Jour. Hort., 4:72. 1868. 2. Ib., 7:102. 1870. 3. Bush. Cat., 1883:82. 4. Ill. Sta. Bul., 28:259. 1893. 5. Mo. Sta. Bul., 46:38, 43, 45, 46. 1899. 6. Ga. Sta. Bul., 53:41. 1901. 7. Kan. Sta. Bul., 110:238. 1902.
Some years ago Challenge was considered an excellent dessert grape, being of good quality, hardy, and fairly healthy. Small plantations of it still exist in New York, but it is rapidly passing out of cultivation.
Challenge was originated about 1860 by Archer Moore, of Hammonton, New Jersey. He supposed it to have come from seed of Concord fertilized by Royal Muscadine. The variety was introduced by William F. Bassett of the same place. We do not have a vine of Challenge growing on the Station grounds, and the description written below is compiled from various sources.
Vine very vigorous; shoots slender, long. Leaf of medium size, dark green. Clusters rather large, compact, tapering, usually shouldered. Berries medium in size, round, pale red to reddish-purple in color with very thin bloom and inconspicuous dots, juicy, slightly acid; quality medium to good; not separating readily from the seeds. Season shortly after Concord.