Agawam

(Labrusca, Vinifera)



Randall, Rogers No. 15



The qualities commending Agawam are large size and attractive

appearance of bunch and berry; rich, sweet aromatic flavor; vigor of

vine; and capacity for self-fertilization. For a grape having its

proportion of European parentage, the vine is vigorous, hardy and

productive. The chief defects in fruit are a thick and rough skin,

coarse, solid texture of pulp and foxy flavor. The vine is susceptible

to the mildews and in many localities does not yield well. Although

Agawam ripens soon after Concord, it can be kept much longer and even

improves in flavor after picking. The vines prefer heavy soils, doing

better on clay than on sand or gravel. This is one of the grapes grown

by E. S. Rogers, Salem, Massachusetts. It was introduced as No. 15 but

in 1861 was given the name it now bears.



Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes thick, dark brown; nodes

enlarged, flattened; internodes short; tendrils intermittent,

bifid to trifid. Leaves thick; upper surface light green, dull,

smooth; lower surface pale green, pubescent, flocculent; lobes

lacking; terminus acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow; lateral

sinus very shallow; teeth shallow, wide. Flowers on plan of six,

nearly self-fertile, open late; stamens upright.



Fruit mid-season, keeps until midwinter. Clusters medium to large,

short, broad, tapering, loose; pedicel short; brush very short,

pale green. Berries large, oval, dark purplish-red with thin

bloom, very persistent; skin thick, tough, adherent, astringent;

flesh pale green, translucent, tough, stringy, solid, foxy; good.

Seeds adherent, two to five, large, long, brown.