Dutchess

(Vinifera, Labrusca, Bourquiniana? AEstivalis?)

Dutchess (Plate XIII) is not grown largely in commercial vineyards
because of several faults, as: the vine is tender to cold; the berries
do not ripen evenly; berries and foliage are susceptible to fungi; and
in soils to which it is not adapted, berries and bunches are small. In
spite of these defects, Dutchess should not be discarded by the
grape-lover, for there are few grapes of higher quality. The grapes
are sweet and rich, yet do not cloy the appetite; although of but
medium size, they are attractive, being a beautiful amber color with
distinctive dots; the flesh is translucent, sparkling, fine-grained
and tender; the seeds are small, few and part readily from the pulp;
the skin is thin, yet tough enough for good keeping; and the bunches
are large and compact when well grown. The variety is self-fertile
and, therefore, desirable when only a few vines are wanted. The
clusters are especially fine when bagged. A. J. Caywood, Marlboro, New
York, grew Dutchess from seed of a white Concord seedling pollinated
by mixed pollen of Delaware and Walter. The seed was planted in 1868.

Vine vigorous, an uncertain bearer. Canes dark brown with light
bloom, surface roughened; nodes enlarged, flattened; internodes
short; tendrils intermittent, short, bifid or trifid. Leaves
irregular in outline; upper surface pale green, pubescent; leaf
entire with terminus acute; petiolar sinus narrow; basal sinus
shallow when present; lateral sinus medium in depth or a mere
notch. Flowers self-fertile, open late; stamens upright.

Fruit mid-season, keeps and ships well. Clusters large, long,
slender, tapering with a prominent single shoulder; pedicel
slender, smooth; brush amber-colored. Berries of medium size,
round, pale yellow-green verging on amber, some showing bronze
tinge with thin bloom, persistent, firm; skin sprinkled with small
dark dots, thin, tough, adherent; flesh pale green, translucent,
juicy, fine-grained, tender, vinous, sweet, of pleasant flavor;
quality high. Seeds free, one, two or occasionally three, small,
short, sharp-pointed, brown.

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