Niagara


(Labrusca, Vinifera)



Niagara (Plate XXVI) is the leading American green grape, holding the

rank among grapes of this color that Concord maintains among black

varieties. It is, however, a less valuable grape than Concord, and it

is doubtful whether it should be ranked much higher than several other

green grapes. In vigor and productiveness, when the two grapes are on

equal footing as to adaptability, Niaga
a and Concord rank the same.

In hardiness of root and vine, Niagara falls short of Concord; it

cannot be relied on without winter protection where the thermometer

falls below zero. Niagara has much of the foxiness of the wild

Labrusca, distasteful to many palates. Both bunches and berries of

Niagara are larger than those of Concord and are better formed, making

a handsomer fruit if the colors are liked equally well. The fruit

shells as badly as that of Concord and does not keep longer. Both vine

and fruit of Niagara are more susceptible to fungal diseases than

those of Concord, especially to black-rot, which proves a veritable

scourge with this variety in unfavorable seasons. Niagara was produced

by C. L. Hoag and B. W. Clark, Lockport, New York, from seed of

Concord fertilized by Cassady planted in 1868.



Vine vigorous, lacking in hardiness, very productive. Canes long,

thick, reddish-brown deepening in color at the nodes which are

enlarged and slightly flattened; internodes long, thick; tendrils

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

surface glossy, dark green, smooth; lower surface pale green,

pubescent; lobes three to five with terminus acute; petiolar sinus

of medium depth and width; basal sinus shallow, wide, often

toothed; lateral sinus wide, frequently toothed; teeth shallow,

variable in width. Flowers self-fertile, open in mid-season;

stamens upright.



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

tapering, frequently single-shouldered, compact; pedicel thick

with a few, small, inconspicuous warts; brush pale green, long.

Berries large, oval, pale yellowish-green with thin bloom,

persistent, firm; skin thin, tender, adherent, astringent; flesh

light green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, foxy; good.

Seeds free, one to six, deeply notched, brown.



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