The descriptions of this variety from various sources are conflicting. That given below is copied from the Bushberg Catalogue.[182]
“Bunch long, loose, slightly shouldered; berry black, below medium, round; skin fine, tender; flesh meaty, juicy without pulp, and vinous; quality best. Vine a strong grower, and, when free from mildew, moderately productive; wood long-jointed, purplish brown at first, of deeper purplish red when ripe; with bi-forked, intermittent tendrils—these, as also the leaf stalk, are tinged on their base with a purplish brown hue, like the young canes; the buds are covered with a russet down, unfolding with that rosy complexion peculiar to the young, downy leaves of most Aestivalis. The developed foliage is of medium size, entire (not lobed), considerably wrinkled, turgid, with somewhat abundant hair tufts on the lower veins.”
DIAMOND.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
1. Gar. Mon., 26:336. 1884. 2. Ib., 28:333. 1886. 3. Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1887-8:85. 4. Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1889:328. 5. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 9:332. 1890. 6. Kan. Sta. Bul., 28:161. 1891. 7. Rural N. Y., 50:691, 787. 1891. 8. Kan. Sta. Bul., 44:118, 127. 1893. 9. Rural N. Y., 53:616, 645, fig., 646. 1894. 10. Gar. and For., 8:96, 377, 487. 1895. 11. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 15:432, 433. 1896. 12. Tenn. Sta. Bul., Vol. 9:175, 176. 1896. fig. 13. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1897:19. 14. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:529, 538, 540, 543, 544, 547, 549, 554. 1898. 15. Va. Sta. Bul., 94:139. 1898. 16. Mo. Sta. Bul., 46:38, 44, 45, 50. 1899. 17. Can. Hort., 25:125, 190. 1902. fig.
Diamond, Moore (13). Moore’s Diamond (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9.) Moore’s Diamond (15, 17).
Diamond is surpassed in quality and beauty by few other grapes. When to its desirable fruit characters are added its earliness, hardiness, productiveness and vigor it is surpassed by no other green grape. Niagara is more productive and therefore more profitable in most localities but in many essential characters it falls short of Diamond and the difference in productiveness is not marked. We usually accord Niagara first place among green grapes but Diamond rivals it for the honor. The former attained high rank not only through merit but by much advertisement while Diamond has made its way by merit alone. If we consider the wants of the amateur and of the wine-maker as well as those of the commercial vineyardist, unquestionably Diamond must be accorded a high place among the best all-around grapes.