Niagara
(Labrusca, Vinifera)
Niagara (Plate XXVI) is the leading American green grape, holding the
rank among grapes of this color that Concord maintains among black
varieties. It is, however, a less valuable grape than Concord, and it
is doubtful whether it should be ranked much higher than several other
green grapes. In vigor and productiveness, when the two grapes are on
equal footing as to adaptability, Niaga
a and Concord rank the same.
In hardiness of root and vine, Niagara falls short of Concord; it
cannot be relied on without winter protection where the thermometer
falls below zero. Niagara has much of the foxiness of the wild
Labrusca, distasteful to many palates. Both bunches and berries of
Niagara are larger than those of Concord and are better formed, making
a handsomer fruit if the colors are liked equally well. The fruit
shells as badly as that of Concord and does not keep longer. Both vine
and fruit of Niagara are more susceptible to fungal diseases than
those of Concord, especially to black-rot, which proves a veritable
scourge with this variety in unfavorable seasons. Niagara was produced
by C. L. Hoag and B. W. Clark, Lockport, New York, from seed of
Concord fertilized by Cassady planted in 1868.
Vine vigorous, lacking in hardiness, very productive. Canes long,
thick, reddish-brown deepening in color at the nodes which are
enlarged and slightly flattened; internodes long, thick; tendrils
continuous, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thick; upper
surface glossy, dark green, smooth; lower surface pale green,
pubescent; lobes three to five with terminus acute; petiolar sinus
of medium depth and width; basal sinus shallow, wide, often
toothed; lateral sinus wide, frequently toothed; teeth shallow,
variable in width. Flowers self-fertile, open in mid-season;
stamens upright.
Fruit mid-season, keeps well. Clusters large, long, broad,
tapering, frequently single-shouldered, compact; pedicel thick
with a few, small, inconspicuous warts; brush pale green, long.
Berries large, oval, pale yellowish-green with thin bloom,
persistent, firm; skin thin, tender, adherent, astringent; flesh
light green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender, foxy; good.
Seeds free, one to six, deeply notched, brown.