This solution, if it be accepted, would account for the difference of
opinion as to its origin. Bartram and Prince could see enough of the
characters of the native in a hybrid so that they could be deceived into
claiming it as a native, and Dufour on the other hand could see enough
of the Vinifera characters so that he felt there was no question as to
its being of foreign origin.
Downing gives what is probably the most complete description of this
variety we now have, although it was made from fruit raised some
distance farther north than where the variety matures properly. He says:
"It is quite sweet when ripe and makes a very fair wine but it is quite
too pulpy and coarse for table use. The bunches are more compact and the
leaves much more _downy_ than those of the Isabella. Bunches rather
compact, not shouldered. Berries of medium size, oval. Skin thick, quite
black. Flesh with a very firm pulp, but juicy, and quite sweet and
musky, when fully ripe, which is not till the last of October." Dufour
speaks of the berries ripening unevenly, requiring the green ones to be
picked out before sending to the wine press.
ALEXANDER WINTER.
(Labrusca, Vinifera?)
=1.= _N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt._, =11=:613. 1892. =2.= _Ib._, =14=:275.
1895. =3.= _Ib._, =17=:526, 548, 553. 1898.
Alexander Winter is chiefly valuable because of the length of time it
will keep. As its name implies it is a _winter_ grape. The flavor is
most excellent and when well grown the appearance of bunch and grape is
attractive. Another desirable quality is that the average number of
seeds to the berry is small, being only two. The great defect of the
variety is that, even with cross-pollinization, perfect clusters do not
form. There are many green berries, and when ripe there are always some
small seedless berries indicating imperfect fertilization. Vine and
foliage indicate Labrusca parentage but the fruit suggests an admixture
of Vinifera. Although rarely found in the gardens and vineyards of New
York, Alexander Winter is well worth a place in the garden of the
amateur and of the grape-breeder because of its excellent keeping
qualities.
Alexander Winter was originated by S. R. Alexander, Bellefontaine, Ohio,
from a lot of mixed seed planted in 1884. It was received at this
Station in 1892. It seems not to have been tested elsewhere and is not
generally handled by nurserymen.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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