Cottage

(Labrusca)



In vine and fruit, Cottage resembles its parent, Concord, having,

however, remarkably large, thick, leathery leaves. It is noted also

for its strong, branching root system and canes so rough as to be

almost spiny. The fruit is better in quality than that of its parent,

having less foxiness and a richer, more delicate flavor. The crop

ripens from one to two weeks earlier than Concord. The good q alities

of the variety are offset by comparative unproductiveness and

unevenness in ripening. Cottage is recommended as an early grape of

the Concord type for the garden. This variety was grown from seed of

Concord by E. W. Bull, Concord, Massachusetts. It was introduced in

1869.



Vine vigorous, healthy, hardy. Canes rough, hairy, long, numerous,

dark brown; nodes enlarged; shoots very pubescent; tendrils

continuous, bifid. Leaves large, thick; upper surface dark green,

glossy, smooth or rugose; lower surface tinged with bronze,

pubescent; leaf entire with terminal acute; petiolar sinus deep

and wide; teeth shallow, wide. Flowers self-fertile, open early;

stamens upright.



Fruit does not keep well. Clusters of medium size, broad,

cylindrical, sometimes single-shouldered, compact; pedicel short,

thick with a few small warts; brush dark red. Berries of medium

size, round, dull black with heavy bloom, drop badly from pedicel,

firm; skin thick, tender, adherent with dark purplish-red pigment,

astringent; flesh juicy, tough, solid, foxy; good. Seeds free, one

to four, large, broad, blunt, light brown.