shouldered. Berries
large, firm, oval, very dark purplish-red, covered with lilac
bloom, very persistent; skin thick, adheres strongly to the pulp;
flesh pale green, translucent, meaty, very juicy, tender, vinous,
musky, sweet, rich; very good to best; seeds separating easily
from the pulp, large.

MUSCAT OF ALEXANDRIA

This is possibly the leading table- and raisin-grape of the Pacific
slope. From the literature or from a visit to vineyards, one cannot
make out whether one or several varieties are grown under the name.
Probably there are several strains grown under the distinctive name
"Muscat" which applies to these sweet, light yellow, musky grapes.
This is one of the standard sorts to force indoors but requires too
long a season for out of doors in the East. The following description
is compiled:

Vine short, straggling, bushy, sometimes forming a bush rather
than a vine, very productive; wood gray with dark spots,
short-jointed. Leaf round, five-lobed; bright green above, lighter
green below. Bunches long and loose, shouldered; berry oblong,
light yellow and transparent when fully mature, covered with white
bloom; flesh firm, crisp; flavor sweet and very musky; quality
good. Season late, the laterals producing a second and sometimes
even a third crop.

NIAGARA

(Labrusca, Vinifera)

Niagara (Plate XXVI) is the leading American green grape, holding the
rank among grapes of this color that Concord maintains among black
varieties. It is, however, a less valuable grape than Concord, and it
is doubtful whether it should be ranked much higher than several other
green grapes. In vigor and productiveness, when the two grapes are on
equal footing as to adaptability, Niagara and Concord rank the same.
In hardiness of root and vine, Niagara falls short of Concord; it
cannot be relied on without winter protection where the thermometer
falls below zero. Niagara has much of the foxiness of the wild
Labrusca, distasteful to many palates. Both bunches and berries of
Niagara are larger than those of Concord and are better formed, making
a handsomer fruit if the colors are liked equally well. The fruit
shells as badly as that of Concord and does not keep longer. Both vine
and fruit of Niagara are more susceptible to fungal diseases than
those of Concord, especially to black-rot, which proves a veritable
scourge with this variety in unfavorable seasons. Niagara was prod