Moore Early


(Labrusca)



Moore Early (Plate XXIV) is the standard grape of its season. Its

fruit cannot be described better than as an early Concord. The vines

are readily distinguishable from those of Concord, differing chiefly

in being less productive. To grow the variety satisfactorily, the soil

must be rich, well-drained and loose, must be frequently cultivated,

and the vines should be pruned severely. The bunches
f Moore Early

are not as large as those of Concord and are less compact; the berries

shell rather more easily, and the skin cracks more readily. The flesh

characters and the flavor are essentially those of Concord, although

the quality is not as high as in the older variety. The quality is,

however, much higher than that of Champion and Hartford, its chief

competitors, and varieties which it should replace. Moore Early is by

no means an ideal grape for its season, but until something better is

introduced it will probably remain the best early commercial sort.

Captain John B. Moore, Concord, Massachusetts, originated this

variety from seed of Concord, planted about 1868.



Vine vigorous, hardy, unproductive. Canes short, dark

reddish-brown; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes short;

tendrils continuous, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick; upper

surface dark green, dull; lower surface tinged with bronze,

heavily pubescent; leaf usually not lobed, terminus acute;

petiolar sinus wide; basal sinus lacking; lateral sinus a notch

when present; teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers fertile, open in

mid-season; stamens upright.



Fruit early, does not keep well. Clusters medium in size, length,

and breadth, cylindrical, sometimes single-shouldered, loose;

pedicel short, thick, smooth; brush short, pale green. Berries

large, round, purplish-black, firm; skin tender, adherent; flesh

green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tough with slight

foxiness; fair to good. Seeds one to four, large, broad, plump,

blunt, brown with yellow tinge at tips.



More

;