Vergennes


(Labrusca)



The most valuable attribute of Vergennes (Plate XXIX) is certainty in

bearing. The vine seldom fails to bear although it often overbears,

causing variability in size of fruits and time of ripening. With a

moderate crop, the grapes ripen with Concord, but with a heavy load

from one to two weeks later. Vergennes is somewhat unpopular with

vineyardists because of the sprawling habit of the vines w
ich makes

them untractable for vineyard operations; this fault is obviated by

grafting on other vines. The grapes are attractive, the quality is

good, flavor agreeable, the flesh tender, and seeds and skin are not

objectionable. Vergennes is the standard late-keeping grape for

northern regions, being very common in the markets as late as January.

The original vine was a chance seedling in the garden of William E.

Greene, Vergennes, Vermont, in 1874.



Vine variable in vigor, doubtfully hardy, productive, healthy.

Canes long, dark brown; nodes enlarged, strongly flattened;

tendrils continuous, long, bifid or trifid. Leaves large, thin;

upper surface light green, glossy, rugose; lower surface pale

green, very pubescent; leaf usually not lobed with terminus

broadly acute; petiolar sinus wide; teeth shallow. Flowers

semi-sterile, mid-season; stamens upright.



Fruit late, keeps and ships well. Clusters of medium size, broad,

cylindrical, sometimes single-shouldered, loose; pedicel with

numerous small warts; brush slender, short, pale green. Berries

large, oval, light and dark red with thin bloom, persistent; skin

thick, tough, adherent, astringent; flesh pale green, juicy,

fine-grained, somewhat stringy, tender, vinous; good to very good.

Seeds free, one to five, blunt, brown.



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