Hicks


(Labrusca)



Hicks is a remarkably good grape and were it not that the fruit is

almost identical with that of Concord, ripening with it or a little

earlier, it would have a place in the viticulture of the country.

However, since it was introduced some years ago and has not found

great favor with growers, it seems that it cannot make headway against

Concord, with which it must compete. In many localities the
vines are

more prolific than those of Concord and of stronger growth. Hicks was

introduced in 1898 by Henry Wallis, Wellston, Missouri, who states

that it is a chance seedling sent from California about 1870 to

Richard Berry, a nurseryman of St. Louis County, Missouri.



Vine very vigorous, hardy, very productive. Canes medium to long,

numerous, reddish-brown, covered with thin bloom; tendrils

continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick; upper surface

dark green, glossy; lower surface white, changing to a heavy

bronze, strongly pubescent. Flowers self-fertile, open early;

stamens upright.



Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters large, long, broad,

tapering, often single-shouldered. Berries large, round,

purplish-black with heavy bloom, shatter when over-ripe, firm;

skin tender with dark wine-colored pigment; flesh green, juicy,

tough, fine-grained, faintly foxy; good. Seeds adherent, large,

short, broad, blunt, brown.



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