Mission

(Vinifera)



Of all grapes, Mission has probably played the most important part in

the vineyards of California. Grown from the earliest times at the old

missions, its source or its name has never been determined. Its

viticultural value for table and wine-press was early appreciated by

California grape-growers, and its culture rapidly spread to every

county in the state adapted to grape-growing. With vines v gorous,

healthy and productive, bearing grapes of delicious quality, Mission

is a mainstay on the Pacific slope, surpassed by few vineyard

varieties for general usefulness. The description is compiled.



Vine vigorous, healthy, productive; wood short-jointed,

grayish-brown, dull, dark. Leaf medium to large, slightly oblong,

with large, deeply-cut compound teeth; basal sinus widely opened,

primary sinuses narrow and shallow; smooth on both sides with

scattered tomentum below, bright green above, lighter below. Bunch

divided into many small, distinct lateral clusters, shouldered,

loose, sometimes very loose; berries of medium size, purple or

almost black with heavy bloom; skin thin; flesh firm, crisp,

juicy, sweet, rich and delicious. Seeds rather large and

prominent; season late.