Poughkeepsie

(Bourquiniana, Labrusca, Vinifera)



Poughkeepsie has been known long on the Hudson River, yet it is now

little grown there and has not been disseminated widely elsewhere. In

quality of fruit, it is equal to the best American varieties, but the

vine characters are all poor and the variety is thus effectually

debarred from common cultivation. Both vine and fruit resemble those

of Delaware, but in neither doe it quite equal the latter. In

particular, the vine is more easily winter-killed and is less

productive than that of Delaware. The grapes ripen a little earlier

than those of the last named sort and this, with their beauty and fine

quality, is sufficient to recommend it for the garden at least. About

1865, A. J. Caywood, Marlboro, New York, grew Poughkeepsie from seed

of Iona fertilized by mixed pollen of Delaware and Walter.



Vine of medium vigor. Canes short, thick, dark reddish-brown;

tendrils intermittent, frequently three in line, bifid or trifid.

Leaves small; upper surface green, glossy, older leaves rugose;

lower surface grayish-green, pubescent. Flowers self-fertile,

late; stamens upright.



Fruit early, keeps and ships well. Clusters small, tapering,

usually single-shouldered, very compact. Berries small, round,

pale red with thin bloom, persistent, firm; skin thin, tender,

without pigment; flesh pale green, very juicy, tender, melting,

fine-grained, vinous, sweet; very good to best. Seeds free, small,

broad, with enlarged neck, brown.