Manual of American grape-growing

by U. P. Hedrick

(Labrusca)

Eclipse ([Plate XV]) is a seedling of Niagara and, therefore, a descendant of Concord which it resembles, differing chiefly in earlier fruit which is of better quality. Unfortunately, the bunches and berries are small. The vines are hardly surpassed by those of any other variety, being hardy, healthy and productive, qualities that should commend it for commercial vineyards. The ripe fruit hangs on the vines for some time without deterioration, and the grapes do not crack in wet weather. The crop ripens several days earlier than that of Concord. Eclipse originated with E. A. Riehl, Alton, Illinois, from seed planted about 1890.

Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes medium in length, dark reddish-brown; nodes enlarged; tendrils continuous, long, bifid. Leaves large; upper surface dark green; lower surface white with a bronze tinge, heavily pubescent; lobes wanting or three with terminal one acute; petiolar sinus deep, narrow; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus narrow, often notched; teeth shallow, narrow. Flowers self-sterile, open in mid-season; stamens reflexed.

Fruit early, keeps well. Clusters of medium size, broad, tapering, frequently single-shouldered, compact; pedicel short, thick, covered with small warts; brush long, pale green. Berries, large, oval, dull black with abundant bloom, persistent, firm; skin tender, slightly adherent, astringent; flesh pale green, translucent, juicy, tender, fine-grained, foxy, sweet; good. Seeds free, one to four, short, broad, distinctly notched, blunt, brown.

Eden

(Rotundifolia, Munsoniana?)

Eden is of value as a general-purpose grape for the South and is interesting as one of the few supposed hybrids with V. rotundifolia. It is probably a hybrid between the species named and V. Munsoniana, another southern wild grape. The vine is exceedingly vigorous and productive and thrives on clay soils, whereas most other Rotundifolias can be grown successfully only on sandy lands. Eden was found some years ago on the premises of Dr. Guild, near Atlanta, Georgia.

Vine very vigorous, productive, healthy and bearing a dense canopy of foliage. Canes darker in color than most other Rotundifolias. Leaves of medium size and thickness, longer than wide; petiolar sinus wide; marginal teeth rounded; leaf-tip blunt. Flowers perfect.

Fruit early, distinct first and second crops, ripens uniformly. Clusters large, loose, bearing from five to twenty-five berries which adhere fairly well to the pedicels. Berries round, one-half inch in diameter, dull black, faintly specked; skin thin, tender; flesh soft, juicy, pale green, sprightly; good in quality.