Grapes -- Varieties -- United States; Viticulture -- United States
Cunningham is cultivated very little in America, but in France, at one
time, was one of the best-known grapes, both as a direct producer and
as a stock for European varieties. It was much sought for by the
French as a stock for large Vinifera cions, the size of the vine
giving an opportunity for making a good graft. In the South, where the
variety originated, Cunningham is not largely grown, as there are
several other varieties of its type superior in fruit and vine. The
vine is a capricious grower and is particular as to soil and climate.
The grapes make a deep yellow wine of a very good quality but have
little value as table-grapes. Cunningham originated with Jacob
Cunningham, Prince Edward County, Virginia, about 1812.
Vine vigorous, spreading, productive. Canes large, long with stiff
reddish hairs at base; shoots showing considerable bloom; tendrils
intermittent, usually trifid. Leaves large, thick, round, entire
or lobed; smooth and dark green above, yellowish green below,
pubescent; petiolar sinus narrow, frequently overlapping.
Clusters of medium size, long, sometimes shouldered, very compact;
pedicel long, slender with small warts; brush short, light brown.
Berries small, purplish-black with thin bloom; skin thin, tough
with much underlying pigment; flesh tender, juicy, sprightly;
quality poor or but fair. Seeds two to five, oval.
CYNTHIANA
(AEstivalis, Labrusca)
_Arkansas, Red River_
There is controversy as to whether this variety differs from Norton.
The two ripen at separate times, and the fruits differ a little so
that they must be considered as distinct. Cynthiana is particular as
to soil and location, preferring sandy loams and does not thrive on
clays or limestones. While very resistant to phylloxera, this variety
is not much used as a resistant stock because it is not easily
propagated. The vines are resistant to mildew, black-rot, and
anthracnose and are strong, vigorous growers. The cycle of vegetation
for Cynthiana is long, the buds bursting forth early and the fruit
maturing very late. The variety has no value as a table-grape but in
the South is one of the best grapes for red wine. No doubt it will
prove one of the best southern sorts for grape-juice. Cynthiana was
received about 1850 by Prince, of Flushing, Long Island, from
Arkansas, where it was found growing in the woods.
Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes medium in length,
numerous, reddish-brown with thick bloom; nodes enlarged;
internodes short; shoots glabrous; tendrils intermittent or
continuous, bifid. Leaves thick, firm; upper surface dark green,
dull, rugose; lower surface tinged with blue, faintly pubescent,
cobwebby; lobes variable in number, terminal one acute; petiolar
sinus deep, narrow, closed, sometimes overlapping; basal sinus
shallow; lateral sinus shallow, narrow; teeth shallow; stamens
upright.
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