Iona

(Labrusca, Vinifera)

In flavor, the fruit of Iona (Plate XIX) has a rare combination of
sweetness and acidity, pure, delicate and vinous. The flesh is
transparent, melting, tender, juicy and of uniform consistency quite
to the center. The seeds are few and small and part readily from the
flesh. The color is a peculiar dark-red wine with a tint of amethyst,
variable and not always attractive. The bunch is large but loose, with
berries varying in size and ripening unevenly. The fruit may be kept
until late winter. The vine characters of Iona are not as good as
those of the fruit. To do well, the vine must have a soil exactly
suited to its wants, seemingly thriving best in deep, dry, sandy or
gravelly clays. Iona responds especially well when trained against
walls or buildings, attaining under such conditions rare perfection.
The vines are doubtfully hardy and in many parts of the North must
have winter protection; they are not vigorous and are inclined to
overbear, to remedy which they must have close pruning. In localities
in which mildew and rot thrive, the variety is badly attacked by these
diseases. Iona originated with C. W. Grant, Iona Island, New York,
from seed of Diana planted in 1885.

Vine weak, doubtfully hardy, unproductive. Canes short, light
brown; nodes enlarged; internodes short; tendrils intermittent,
bifid. Leaves thick; upper surface light green, dull, smooth;
lower surface grayish-green, heavily pubescent; lobes three to
five with terminal one acute; petiolar sinus of medium depth and
width; basal sinus shallow; lateral sinus shallow, wide; teeth
shallow. Flowers self-fertile, open late; stamens upright.

Fruit late, keeps well. Clusters medium in size, sometimes
double-shouldered, slender, tapering, loose; brush pale green.
Berries uniform, oval, round, dull, light and dark red with thin
bloom, persistent, firm; skin tough, adherent, slightly
astringent; flesh green, translucent, juicy, fine-grained, tender,
melting, vinous; very good. Seeds free, one to four, small, broad,
plump, brown.

Next: Isabella
Previous: Ideal

Report
Privacy

SHARE

BOOKMARK

Viewed 168