Dutchess

(Vinifera, Labrusca, Bourquiniana? AEstivalis?)



Dutchess (Plate XIII) is not grown largely in commercial vineyards

because of several faults, as: the vine is tender to cold; the berries

do not ripen evenly; berries and foliage are susceptible to fungi; and

in soils to which it is not adapted, berries and bunches are small. In

spite of these defects, Dutchess should not be discarded by the

grape-lover, for there are few grapes of higher quality. The grapes

are sweet and rich, yet do not cloy the appetite; although of but

medium size, they are attractive, being a beautiful amber color with

distinctive dots; the flesh is translucent, sparkling, fine-grained

and tender; the seeds are small, few and part readily from the pulp;

the skin is thin, yet tough enough for good keeping; and the bunches

are large and compact when well grown. The variety is self-fertile

and, therefore, desirable when only a few vines are wanted. The

clusters are especially fine when bagged. A. J. Caywood, Marlboro, New

York, grew Dutchess from seed of a white Concord seedling pollinated

by mixed pollen of Delaware and Walter. The seed was planted in 1868.



Vine vigorous, an uncertain bearer. Canes dark brown with light

bloom, surface roughened; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes

short; tendrils intermittent, short, bifid or trifid. Leaves

irregular in outline; upper surface pale green, pubescent; leaf

entire with terminus acute; petiolar sinus narrow; basal sinus

shallow when present; lateral sinus medium in depth or a mere

notch. Flowers self-fertile, open late; stamens upright.



Fruit mid-season, keeps and ships well. Clusters large, long,

slender, tapering with a prominent single shoulder; pedicel

slender, smooth; brush amber-colored. Berries of medium size,

round, pale yellow-green verging on amber, some showing bronze

tinge with thin bloom, persistent, firm; skin sprinkled with small

dark dots, thin, tough, adherent; flesh pale green, translucent,

juicy, fine-grained, tender, vinous, sweet, of pleasant flavor;

quality high. Seeds free, one, two or occasionally three, small,

short, sharp-pointed, brown.