Walter


(Vinifera, Labrusca, Bourquiniana)



Were it not almost impossible to grow healthy vines of Walter, the

variety would rank high among American grapes. But stunted by fungi

which attack leaves, young wood and fruit, it is possible only in

exceptionally favorable seasons satisfactorily to produce crops of

this variety. Besides susceptibility to diseases, the vines are

fastidious to soils, everywhere variable
n growth and are injured in

cold winters. As if to atone for the faults of the vine, the fruit of

Walter is almost perfect, lacking only in size of bunch and berry. The

bunch and berry resemble those of Delaware, but the fruit is not as

high in quality as that of its parents. Walter is adapted to

conditions under which Delaware thrives. A. J. Caywood, Modena, New

York, grew this variety about 1850 from seed of Delaware pollinated by

Diana.



Vine vigorous. Canes medium in length and size, dark reddish-brown

with thin bloom; nodes enlarged, flattened; tendrils intermittent,

bifid. Leaves thick; upper surface dark green, glossy, smooth;

lower surface tinged with bronze, heavily pubescent; lobes one to

three with terminus acute; petiolar sinus narrow; basal sinus

lacking; lateral sinus a notch if present. Flowers mid-season;

stamens upright.



Fruit early, keeps and ships well. Clusters medium in size, broad,

cylindrical, usually single-shouldered, compact; pedicel slender,

with small, scattering warts; brush short, slender, green with

brown tinge. Berries small, ovate, red, glossy with thin bloom,

persistent, firm; skin very tough, adheres slightly, unpigmented;

flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, tough, somewhat foxy,

vinous, aromatic; good to very good. Seeds adherent, one to four,

small, sharp-pointed, light brown.



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