The French Hybrid Grapes

H. c. BARRETT1

In the past several years a relatively gardener or the plantsman who wishes to "new" dass of grape varieties has come explore some of the surprises that the to the attention of fruit growers and gar­ world of grapes has to offer for his or her · deners. This "new" class of grape varie­ pleasure and enjoyrnent. ties owes its origin to the plant breeders o£ France, who, by their persistent and History and Origin diligent efforts, have created a new race To understand why the French hybrids of grapes with many distinctive charac­ came into existence and the background ters not found elsewhere in the grape for their development in France, one has family. In their country of origin, France, to go back to the blackest days in French these grape varieties are known ·collec­ viticulture when the scourge of phyl­ tively as les hybrides producteurs directes loxera, downy mildew, oidium (powdery (the hybrid direct producers), but in mildew) and black rot were plaguing the North America they are known as the French vineyardists and threatening to French hybrids to differentiate them from exterminate vine growing in France, then the American hybrid or bunch grape va­ as now, the greatest grape-growing coun­ rieties so widely grown in eastern North try in the world. Phylloxera, c.aused by America. a tiny root louse, Phyllo:cera vastatrix, . attacked the root system of the highly Because the French hybrids are new to susceptible French vinifera varieties and the gar·deners and fruit growers of this by their puncturing of the root cells to country and because most of these grape suck out the plant juices progressively varieties have been grown for only a few caused the decline in growth and vigor years even in the test plantings of Ex­ until death of the plant resulted. This periment Station vineyards, it is believed minute insect pest and the damage it that a bit of information on their origin caused was sufficient in itself to ruin the and the most promising varieties for this vineyards except in certain areas unfavor­ country would be helpful to those who able to its attack-but to add to the misery may wish to grow some of these grape and despair of the growers came still other varieties. The great majority of these pests to attack the above-ground portions varieties have been grown in North of the vine. America only since the end of World War II and a very few of the older varieties Downy mildew caused the complete have been grown in Experiment Station loss of the blossom clusters and fi-uit, de­ vineyards sihce around 1904. Aside from pending upon the season of infection. these few earlier varieties less .than a dec­ The leaves were destroyed· by this fungus ade has passed in. time to evaluate their which produced spores by the millions for behavior and adaptability to our climatic fresh infections until the vines stood bare conditions. This period of time is prob­ long before autumn frost. Oidium or

times by botanists, plant collectors and needed to spray and graft grapes. The other students of plants. answer lay in the ways and laws of Na­ ture. For thousands of years the wild The whole situation appeared hopeless grapes of North America were hosts to as nothing was known about these pests their parasites, these various fungus dis­ bey-ond their botanical or entomological eases and the root louse, phylloxera. classification in the case of phylloxera. Throughout this long period of evolution, Quite by accident, Millardet, one of the those grape vines which resisted their at­ greatest French viticulturists and scien­ tackers survived and in turn begot off­ tists, observed that vines along a road­ spring which were subjected to this same side, sprayed and smeared with an evil­ vigorous selection of the fit and the re­ appearing mixture of copper sulphate and jection and subsequent death of the un­ lime by a vineyardist to discourage pas­ fit-the susceptible types. The vinifera sersby from eating the fruit, were re­ varieties, on the other hand, had evolved markably free of downy mildew despite in Europe and southwestern Asia with­ severe damage to the unsprayed vines. out this selection for resistance because Here, then, was a preventive treatment these diseases and phylloxera were not for downy mildew, the worst of the in­ present in the Old World until introduced troduced fungus diseases. P-owdery into Europe in the nineteenth. century by ·mildew yielded to dusting with sulphur Europeans. and black rot yielded to the evil-appearing mixture of copper sulphate and lime dis­ At first the French viticulturists im­ covered by Millardet. Today we are all ported all of the cultivated American familiar with this mixture, the universally grape var1eties in the hope that some of known Bordeaux mixture, named after these w<':.tld be satisfactory for table and the region near Bordeaux, Fr<;tnce;-where wine production, but..it became apparent Millardet first made that historic discov­ after a few years that none of these was ery. equal to the French vinifera varieties in the qualities desired. Furthermore, the Other observant viticulturists in Fra'nce majority of these Americanr,varieties were noticed that some of the wild American either selections of Vitis labrusca or hy­ grape species and a few of the cultivated brids between V. labrusca and V. vini� American · varieties either suffered no fera. Unfortunately, V. labrusca was na- visible damage from phylloxera or re­ . tive to a portion of North America where sisted its action for longer periods -of time the climate and particularly the soil were· than the susceptible vinifera varieties, and unfavorable for phylloxera ·and conse­ thus the first clue to combatting phyl- quently this grape species was -only slight­ .loxera appeared. By grafting the French ly better in resistance to the insect than varieties on the roots of the resistant V. vinifera. Combining species of little or American vines, the damage caused by no resistance to this insect produced off­ phylloxera was averted and the French spring of comparable resistance and, when vineyards were rapidly reconstituted on grown in areas favorable to phylloxera resistant root stocks. such as central and southern France, the vines quickly died or became sickly and All of this was well and good and the unthrifty. The resistance of V. labrusca world owes France a great deal for solv­ to fungus diseases varied from ,very poor ing a series of problems that were of great to fairly good and, when combined with economic importance, but all of these V. vinifera) gave offspring that were in­ sprays and grafting techniques added to termediate in resistance, that is, a little the cost of growing grapes. Other French better than the susceptible viilifera parent viticulturists, thinking ahead of the pres­ but less resistant than· the labrusca par­ ent, looked about for an answer t6 these ent.· In addition, the "foxy" flavor of the problems that would not require the great labrusca ancestor produced a wine that amount of money, labor, and equipment was highly disagreeable to European 134 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE July 1956 palates. Likewise, the tough, pulpy flesh producteurs directes (direct producers). and "foxy" flavor of the fresh fruit was This term "direct producer" is used in a very poor substitute for the fine, crisp, France to designate a variety grown on tender flesh of the vinifera table varieties its own roots or direct in contrast with with their refined, delicate flavors. The a grafted vine in which the scion or fruit­ labrusca varieties and their hybrids pos­ producing port_ion of the vine is grown on sessed size of berry, lacked resistance to a rootstock or porte greffe (graft bear- - phylloxera and fungus diseases, but were er). especially deficient in quality. With this background of the state of There existed many other wild Ameri­ viticulture in France as it existed in the can grape species which did have very late 70's and early SO's, one can unde�·­ high resistance to phylloxera and the fun­ stand why Eugene Contassot and many gus diseases, did not possess the extreme­ of his countrymen were interested in ly disagreeable "foxy" taste and aroma, American vines. In 1882 M. Contassot, but did lack the berry size of V. labrusca an amateur viticulturist in the town of and V. vinifera. More important than Aubenas, France, received a shipment of the lack of size, however, was the superior grape cuttings from a grape collector in resistance of their hybrids with vinifera Neosho, Missouri. This collector was as compared with the labrusca and vini­ Herman Jaeger, an amateur grape breed­ fera hybrids. er and collector who searched the area of southwestern Missouri, eastern Oklaho­ The French vineyardists after careful ma, northwestern Arkansas and north­ study and testing largely abandoned the eastern Texas for the best specimens of labrusca types and their hybrids and be­ wild grapes for use in his breeding ex­ gan to study the other native American periments. Jaeger made his selections grape species with intense interest. Great from the thousands of wild grape vines quantities of wild grape seeds and propa­ that grew in this area, took cuttings from gating wood were sent to France by nurs­ these selections or moved the original eries, plant collectors, travelers and others . vines to his grounds near Neosho, where in this country as well as by French plant he studied them for their disease resist­ collectors who came over to North ance and other characters of horticultural America for that purpose. The major ef­ value. A few of these selections he used fort in this collecting activity occurred in in his breeding work, the main objective the lower Mississippi valley, especially in being the production of varieties derived Texas, Indian Territory (now Oklaho­ from pure wild species which would resist ma), Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois, the diseases so prevalent and destructive hecause in this region more wild grape to cultivated American grape varieties 111 species grew in abundance and the dis­ the area where he lived and worked. eases and pests of grapes were most pre­ valent and destructive in North America. In this shipment of cuttings to Con­ A wide difference in soil types and ex­ tassot were two of Jaeger's best seedlings tremes of climate further insured the derived from his breeding work, Jaeger greatest possible diversity of forms within 70 and 72. These selections were made by the various species for study and testing. Jaeger after crossing Jaeger 43, a female selection of Vitis Lincecwmii of great While it is true that the primary reason health and vigor with large; attractive :for collecting wild American grape spe­ clusters, and a male seedling selection of cies was to discover forms better adapted Jaeger 60, a female selection of Vitis to the soils in certain areas of France and rupestris. The parents of Jaeger 70 and with better affinities for the vinifera scion 72 were regarded by Jaeger as the best varieties, there also existed a considerable selections of these two wild species, V. interest in hybridizing these wild types Lincecumii and V. rupestris, ever found with the vinifera varieties to produce by him in his search for· wild _ grapes. July 1956 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 135

These cuttings were graft�cl by Contassot many of whom were contemporaries of on older bearing vines in his small vine­ Couderc and Seibel, are found in the yard and presently they bore fruit. Con­ earlier contributions to this work. Con­ tassot was immediately impressed by the tinuing this work on into the present time relatively large size of the fruit of Jaeger are found even yet the names of Couderc .70 and the health of the vine, so he and Seibel of a later generation and other crossed it with the vinifera varieties in his breeders such as Burdin, Galibert, vineyard or saved the seeds from open J oannes-Seyve, Landot, Meynieu, Perbos, pollinated dusters. Since Jaeger 70 was Rava.t, Rudelin, Seyve-Villard, etc. Thus a. self-sterile variety which produced no the future looks bright for even finer viable pollen and was thus open to polli­ things may be expected to appear as the nation from the vinifera varieties in the work goes on without encl. vineyard blossoming at the same time, all Characteristics the seeds produced were true hybrids. Because he lacked a suitable place to grow To characterize a class of grapes such seedlings, he gave the seeds of Jaeger 70 as the French hybrids is not an easy task to 1two of his friends and neighbors, because of the variations between varie­ Georges Couderc and Albert Seibel. From ties in a given class. However, there are these seeds given to them by Eugene certain characters which serve to dis­ Contassot, the first French hybrids were tinguish this class of grapes as a whole selected from the resulting seedlings, from the American hybrid or bunch grape Couderc numbers 71-03, 71-04, 71-06, varieties as exemplified by Concord, 71-20, 71-60, 71-66 and the early Seibel Niagara, and others of the most common numbers such as 1, 2, etc. and widely-grown varieties in eastern North America. Georges Couderc, who has gained even greater fame for his breeding work with The most noticeable feature of the grape rootstocks and studies of phylloxera French hybrids is the lack of "foxiness" resistance, began his ·breeding experi­ that most of the American varieties pos­ ments around 1878 in a garden of five sess in varying degrees of intensity. 11ectares (approximately twelve acres). "Foxiness," that peculiar combination of He was a tremendously energetic worker flavor and aroma which is thought to he .and it is estimated that he grew from very desirable by some people and equal­ 300,000 to 400,000 seedlings during an ly disliked by. others, is absent from the ·extremely a·ctive lifetime of breeding present-clay French hybrids. In pasteur­ grapes ! Add to this the thousands of ized grape juice and grape jelly, this seedlings grown by Albert Seibel in his "foxy" flavor is not held objectionable by ·breeding work and it will give one reason most people, but to those. who prefer to pause in admiration and reflection for grapes in the fresh state, as dessert or in these two most prolific of the French the form of fermented juice, this flavor _grape hybridizers. Albert Seibel, a con­ and aroma are usually very distasteful.· temporary and student of Couderc, was a Especially to European palates or to those practical and intelligent vineyardist who who have been accustomed to the mild, ·was also interested in grape breeding, es­ refined flavors and aromas of vinifera ·pecially the production of hybrid direct grapes is this character noticeable. The

producers. · These two men were the French hybrid varieties have inherited great pioneers in the development of the the more refined and subtle aromas and French hybrid grapes, but still other flavors which closely approach these French breeders contributed their share qualities as they are found in their Euro­ ·to this great breeding work. The names pean or vinifera ancestors. Indeed, the -of Maurice Baco, Bertille-Seyve, Castel, majority of the French hybrids possess Gaillard, Victor Ganzin, Humbert, J urie, very neutral flavors as a group, much like �Kuhlmann, Malegue, Millardet, Oberlin, the vinifera wine-grape varieties. Intense :Peage, Roy-Chevrier, Rouget and others, or otherwise unusual flavors in wine 136 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE July 1956 grapes are not usually desired in the fresh quite noticeabl� to the most casual ob­ fruit because fermentation can change server. The aspect or growth type of these flavors into wines of undesirable most French hybrids is more compact qualities. It must be emphasized that the with upright, erect-growing shoots. A French hybrids, with the exception of very few, chiefly the earlier hybrids of only a very few of the newest varieties, V. vinifera and V. riparia, exhibit the have been bred for the production of wine trailing procumbent type of growth so and it is perhaps only by chance that sev­ common in the American hybrids. The eral of these. varieties which originated shoots have relatively shorter internodes, prior to these latest few table varieties larger average diameters, and smalier, happen to be excellent table grapes as more numerous leaves with sharp, pointed well. teeth and more distinctive margins and sinuses. Also, the young developing The French hybrid varieties possess a leaves are often quite shiny or "var­ thin, often adherent skin which is not ob­ nished" in appearance and in the majority jectionable in eating as is the tough, of cases lack the pubescence or wooly hair astringent skin of Concord. They possess of the young canes and growing tips of a tender but firm flesh which separates the American types. from the relatively small seeds; a high percentage of soluble solids, largely com­ One of the most interesting features. posed of sugars, in the juice; a medium to found in the French hybrid varieties, and high acidity. Most of the labrusca types one of potential economic value, is the and their primary hybrids have a rather ability of many varieties to produce a com­ tough, stringy flesh which is often astrin­ merical crop from secondary or tertiary gent around the relatively large seeds. buds in the event that frost or freezing Too often many of these labrusca types has destroyed the primary bud or its possess relatively low percentages of developing shoot and flower clusters. In sugars which deceive the untrained palate regions subject to unseasonable frosts in into believing that they are high in sugars, spring or extreme temperature changes whereas in reality the apparent sweetness in winter, there would be considerable is accentuated by low acidity. value in such characters because it might mean the difference between a reduced Many of the labrusca types "shell" from but worthwhile crop or no crop at all. the cluster at maturity, that is, the berries Few American varieties will produce any­ become easily detached from the pedicels thing beyond a few small clusterlets if and the fruit drops from the clusters at the primary buds or shoots developing maturity or after handling and harvesting. from these buds are destroyed. In this respect, the French hybrids are much better because the berries are more Perhaps the most important feature of firmly attached and resist handling better these French hybrids from the economic without damage. Cluster and berry size standpoint is their high level of resistance vary considerably in the French hybrids to downy mildew, Plasmopara viticola. just as they do in the American varieties, The French breeders have incorporated but in general the French hybrids have mildew resistance from the wild Amer­ larger, more. compound clusters and gen­ ican grape species into these hybrids to erally smaller-sized berries than the a degree that is not found in any of the American types. There is also a tendency American varieties to date. Not all of for the berries in the French hybrids to . these hybrids have equally high mildew approach the ovate form more readily .resistance and a few of them approach than the spheri-cal form of Concord and the lower mildew resistance of the Amer­ others of that type. ican varieties, but as a class they are notable for their resistance to downy The vegetative characters are very dif­ mildew. In their resistance to black rot, ferent from the American types and are Guignardia bidwellii, the French hybrids July 1956 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 137

compare favorably with the American undue lllJury from the root louse hybrids, that is, the level of resistance is wherever the American varieties thrive. only mediocre to poor. This is not sur­ The problem of evaluating phylloxera prising when we consider the fact that damage to American grape varieties has these French varieties were not sel-ected never been adequately investigated in for resistance to this fungus at all. Black eastern North America, ·and it has gener­ rot has been a relative rarity in France ally ·been assumed that our climatic condi­ ; for the last forty years ol. so, despite a ti011s are relatively unfavorable to phyl­

beginning of almost epidemic proportions · loxera. This appears to be largely tru,e in· during the first few years after the intro­ the Middle West and Northeastern duction of the fungus into France in 1885. States, but no experimental evidence is Resistance to powdery mildew, Uncimtla at hand to substantiate or disprove this necator, and anthracnose, Elsinoe ampel­ assumption. In the . Southeastern and ina, is high with a few exceptions. Gulf States and in Texas, phylloxera and other root troubles are much more serious The resistance of the French hybrids and prevalent than farther north; and it to Phylloxera, Phylloxem vastatrix, has may be prudent to investigate growing been the. subject of considerable miscon­ the French hybrids on adapted rootstocks ception and misunderstanding . in this in any serious plantings in such areas. country. Many have assumed that the hybrid· direct producers, as the French . A few words on the ·hardiness of the hybrids are called in France, are exactly French hybrids may be of inte:rest to those what the name indicates and are grown who live in very cold regio11s with high, direct or on their own roots because of drying winds and relatively dry, deeply high resistance or immunity to phyl­ frozen soils in winter. These conditions loxera. Unfortunately, this is not the are very difficult for any plants and, since case because with few exceptions the no large-scale tests of any but a handful resistance of these hybrids to phylloxera, of the Frencl1- hybrid varieties have been when grown under soil and climatic con­ made in areas of extreme winter temper­ ditions very favorable to the insect, is not atures, little can be said on this subject at great enough to be economically profit­ the present time. Here in central Illinois, able. Under such conditions the vines where more of the French hybrid varieties will become dwarfed, decline in vigor and have been grown for the longest period of production or otherwise exhibit the symp­ time, most of them are hardy but a num­ toms of phylloxera injury. The term ber of them are not. The average winter "direct producer" then is a misnomer in this latitude can reasonably expect because virtually all.of these varieties are -10° or -15° Fahrenheit with a mini­ grown on suitable robtstocl

July 1956 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 139 or listing of all of them has ever been Seyve-Villard 12-375-A miclseason to made, and we can only surmise that out late midseason variety with large to of the hundreds of thousands of seedlings very large, heavily shouldered, broad� produced from the early 1880's to the moderately compact clusters of above present perhaps upward of a thousand medium, oval berries of golden yellow. or more were promising enough in one The vine is very vigorous, healthy, respect or another to be fairly widely hardy, and productive. The flesh is tested by vineyardists in France. A con­ crisp, tender, firm, with a good flavor sidera:ble number of varieties have been of pure vinifera character, and adherent eliminated after testing in France and skin. While this variety makes a very undoubtedly a great many more will be good white wine, it is also a good table eliminated in the future. In this country, grape of neutral, sweet flavor. This somewhere between three hundred and variety, in the author's opinion, is the. four hundred French hybrid varieties are most outstanding French hybrid of growing in Experiment Station vineyards, them all when all faCtors are considered. but only a few of this number are likely In fact, it is probably one of the great­ to prove of some value here. est hybrid grapes produced anywhere by the hand of man. This variety is It must be stressed that the varieties deserving of the widest possible trial listed here are recommended for trial because of its many good points in only. Although these varieties appear to fruit and vine. Highly recommended. be promising in central Illinois, they may do better or worse in other areas. How­ ever, as of the present time, the following suggested list is our best estimate of the varieties most likely to prove the most satisfactory for .table and wine uses under reasonable care. A few other varieties Seyve-Villard 5-276--Early midseason. believed to be of approximately equal . Has medium large, shouldered, long, merit have been omitted because they very compact clusters of below medium, have not been grown as long in our test spherical, yellowish-green berries. The vine is moderately vigorous to vigorous. vineyard. · hardy, healthy and very productive. At­ tains a high sugar content and makes a very good white wine. This variety de­ Seyve-Villard 23-657-Late midseason serves wide trial and should prove of black. Clusters are very large-up to value in the North because of its rela­

15 inches in length, shouldered, · fairly tive earliness and hardiness. loose to moderately compact, long with medium, oval j.et-black berries. Vine is ultra-vigorous, very productive, hardy and moderately healthy. Prim­ arily a red wine grape. Has a very high sugar content and makes a good red wine. The foliage is very ornamental Seyve-Villard 12-309-A late midseason . with very dark green, "varnished," to late variety with large to very large finely cut leaves. Suggested for trial in clusters; shouldered, tapering with areas of similar climate to central elongated oval, pinkish-yellow, medium Illinois and farther south. berries. Flesh is crisp and tender with . adherent skin and neutral flavor. Prim­ arily for its good white wine but pleas­ ant eating. The vine is very vigorous, healthy, hardy, and very productive. Seyve-Villard 23-657 + Seyve-Villard 12-375 Seyve-Villard 5-276 Seyve-Villard 12-309

July 1956 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 141

S.eibel 8745-An early midseason black with medium large, compact clusters of medium, slightly ovate berries. Vine is moderately vigorous, healthy, very hardy, and very productive. Here it Joannes-Seyve 26-205-A late midseason does much better than its famous sister, variety with large, shouldered, medium Seibel 7053, which is so widely grown compact clusters of medium, spherical in France. Seibel 7053 is a weak black berries. A very vigorous, healthy grower here and very susceptible to vine of high production. A very good downy mildew and black rot. Makes a red wine grape and the fruit . clusters good red wine and is promising for trial will hang on the vine until frost with­ in cold areas of the North. out damage.

Seibel 14664-.;-An early midseason variety with large to very large, tapering, very compact. clusters and very large, elon­ gated oval, yellow berries. This variety is exceptionally beautiful in its fruit and in addition is probably the best table

variety in the French hybrids. The · flavor of _the fruit is similar to Dattier J oannes-Seyve 23-416-Early midseason. de Bayrouth, one of the choice vinifera Has large, long, moderately compact to table varieties, and it has a slight mus­ slightly loose clusters with oval, pink cat flavor like Dattier also if the vines to light red berries with a peculiar are not overloaded. The vines are very spotted appearance. Vine is vigorous, vigorous, healthy, very productive and healthy, hardy, and moderately pro­ moderately hardy. Ripe rot (Botrytis ductive. A very attractive table grape cinerea) is often troublesome on this but useful for white wine also. variety in years of high rainfall and humidity but can be successfully con­ trolled by spraying with Captan. Another feature of this vine is the very attractive foliage of fine cut teeth, dark, shiny green color and -a "varnished" appearance of the young developi�g leaves.

J oannes�Seyv e 26-205 Seibel8745 J oannes-S eyve 23-416 + Seibel14664

July 1956 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 143

Bertille-Seyve 5563-A late midseason blade with large, compact, shouldered, Couderc 71-20-A late midseason variety attractive clusters of medium berries. with medium, shouldered compact clus­ This is also a red wine grape and ters of medium, black berries. A very recommended for its rugged, hardy good red wine grape with a vigorous, vine of exceptional health, vigor and healthy, hardy vine of high production. production. The fruit keeps well on One of the first French hybrids and the vine. still widely grown in France. Always a relia-ble producer and a rugged vine.

Seibel 9110-An early midseason white variety of exceptionally beautiful fruit. The clusters are large, tapered, slightly Bertille-Seyve 2667-an early midseason shouldered to shouldered, compact to black variety with large to very large, moderately compact with medium large, long, compact dusters of rnedium, black berries. Primarily a red wine grape. pointed oval or egg-shaped berries of A vigorous, productive vine of superb · beautiful golden yellow. This variety . health and perfectly hardy here. The is an excellent table variety with thin, adherent skin, tender, crisp fleshof pure ·berries begin to color very early, long­ · before complete maturity and will hang vinifera character. The sugar content on the vine in good condition until is high and it makes a very good white freezing weather. wine also. The vine is vigorous, moder­ ately healthy (slightly subject to downy mildew of the foliage in some years), hardy, and productive. Promising and deserves a wide tri;:�l

Bertille-.Seyve 5563 + . Couderc 71-20 Seibel9l10 B ertille-Seyve 2667 144 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE July 1956

Seibel 1000-An early midseason black Seibel 11803-A late midseason to late with medium-large compact clusters variety with . very large, shouldered, and medium ·berries. One of the hardi­ tapering, moderately compact to com­ est of the French hybrids; has with­ pact dusters with. large, round-oval stood -35°F. in South Dakota without berries of light to dark red, depending injury. Has a vigorous, healthy, pro­ upon exposure to the sun. This variety ductive vine. One of the oldest French is a very good table grape if properly hybrids and still a good one for pro­ grown because of its crisp, firm but ducing red wine. Has been planted tender flesh, high sugar content, ap­ considerably for wine in New Y ark pearance and size. If pruned properly, and Canada. Should not be planted in the vine is vigorous, healthy, hardy and low-lying areas with very moist soil as extremely productive. This variety it is subject to a physiological disorder must be pruned very short because of in which some of the berries remain its extreme fertility; often each shoot green without maturing. A very prom­ will produce four large dusters. Makes ising variety for those who live in the an excellent white wine also. The fol­ North where most varieties winterkill. iage is exceptionally attractive with large, fine cut, dark green leaves of beautiful form. Unless properly pruned and not allowed to overbear, this variety may be disappointing. Seibel 5279-A very early variety with large, long, slender clusters of medium large, golden-yellow berries. This varie­ ty is one of the very earliest to ripen here, often during the last week in July Seibel 13053-A very early variety with in warm years, and is the earliest good medium large, slender clusters of med­ quality table variety. The texture of ium, spherical black berries. The vine the flesh is tender and crisp but too soft is very vigorous, healthy, hardy, and to ship or withstand rough handling, productive. One of the earliest varieties hence is recommended only for the to ripen here, usually in early August home garden. The sugar content is although the berries begin to color in high also and it makes a very good mid-July. Not a table variety but, white wine. Should be sprayed care­ ripening as it does when grapes are fully for black rot as it is quite sus­ scarce, it is pleasant eating. Primarily ceptibk to this disease. Very promising useful for making a very good red wine. for the far North as it is hardy in Promising for trial in northern areas northwestern Iowa and probably far­ because of its earliness and hardiness. ther north. Subject to bird damage.

Seibel 8357-A late midseason black with large, long, compact clusters of medium Seyve-Villard 23-18-Late midseason. berries. His is the most promising tein­ Has large to very large, tapering, turier wine variety tested here. It pro­ shouldered, moderately compact clus­ duces a wine of almost inky black color ters of medium large, short oval, black of highest quality. The vine is vigor­ berries. While primarily a . red wine ous, healthy, hardy, and productive. grape, the tender, crisp, sweet flesh For those who wish a deeply colored is pleasant eating when fully mature. wine for blending, this variety is also The vine is vigorous, healthy, produc­ very promising. High sugar content tive, and hardy. The fruit hangs well and the clusters keep well on the vine on the vine without loss until freezing without loss until cold weather. weather. Slightly subject to black rot.