This Eclipse was produced by John Burr of Leavenworth, Kansas, about 1880, from mixed seed. It attracted some attention in the Middle West, where the fruit was exhibited at various meetings but failed to attain favor in the vineyard. It is now practically obsolete.
Vine vigorous, injured in severe winters, variable in productiveness, somewhat susceptible to mildew. Canes long to medium, of average number, thick; internodes long; tendrils continuous to intermittent, bifid to sometimes trifid. Leaves not healthy, large to medium, of average greenness; lower surface grayish-white. Flowers partly sterile; stamens upright. Fruit ripens a little later than Diamond, keeps well. Clusters medium to small, of average length, frequently single-shouldered, medium to broad, compact to medium. Berries large to medium, roundish to oblate, light green often with tinge of yellow, covered with thin gray bloom, persistent. Skin thin, of average toughness, covered with scattering, small, reddish-brown dots. Flesh tender, vinous, sprightly, less sweet than Niagara, good to very good in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, one to four, average three, above medium in size, intermediate in length and width; raphe obscure.
ELDORADO.
(Labrusca, Vinifera.)
1. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1881:33. 2. Rural N. Y., 45:622. 1886. 3. Ib., 51:681, 726. 1892. 4. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 11:621. 1892. 5. Bush. Cat., 1894:123. 6. Col Sta. Bul., 29:22. 1894. 7. Rural N. Y., 56:822. 1897. 8. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:530, 541, 544, 548, 554. 1898. 9. Ib., 18:375, 387, 396. 1899. 10. Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1902:224.
Eldorado is one of the best flavored of all early green grapes but unfortunately it has defects which have kept it from becoming popular and it is now rapidly passing from cultivation. It is delicately flavored, with a very distinct aroma and taste; the flesh is tender, melting and sweet from skin to seeds, all qualities rarely found in an early grape. The season is about that of Moore Early, a time when there are few other really good white grapes. Eldorado is a full sister of Lady Washington and is if anything better flavored than that most excellent variety. These two grapes are secondary hybrids of Labrusca and Vinifera, Concord being the native parent. The vines inherit most of the good qualities of Concord but Eldorado does not inherit Concord’s ability to set fruit well; even with cross-pollination it sometimes fails to bear and is not worth growing unless planted in a mixed vineyard. The clusters are so often small and straggling under the best possible conditions that the variety cannot be highly recommended to the amateur yet its delightful flavor and its earliness may commend it to some.
J. H. Ricketts of Newburgh, New York, produced Eldorado some time about 1870 from seed of Concord fertilized by Allen’s Hybrid. It was introduced by the originator about 1881 and is still offered for sale by a few nurserymen. Eldorado has been somewhat commonly grown in gardens and collections in the East but does not succeed in the West.
Vine usually a strong grower, hardy except in severe winters, an uncertain bearer. Canes long, not very numerous; tendrils intermittent to rarely continuous, bifid to trifid. Leaves below medium to large, irregularly roundish, dark green, rugose on older leaves; lower surface tinged with bronze, pubescent. Flowers sterile, open medium late; stamens reflexed. Fruit ripens earlier than Concord, keeps well. Clusters do not always set perfectly and are quite variable in size, frequently single-shouldered, not uniform in compactness. Berries large to medium, roundish, yellowish-green changing to a golden yellow, covered with thin gray bloom. Flesh tender, slightly foxy, sweet from skin to center, mild, high flavored, good to very good in quality. Seeds intermediate in size and length, blunt.
ELSINBURGH.
(Vinifera, Aestivalis.)
1. Amer. Farmer, 9:221. 1827. 2. Prince, 1830:176. 3. Downing, 1845:255. 4. Elliott, 1854:245. 5. Horticulturist, 12:458. 1857. 6. Phin, 1862:254. 7. Am. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1862:90. 8. Husmann, 1866:120. 9. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1881:38. 10. Bush. Cat., 1883:94. 11. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 13:603. 1894. 12. Ib., 17:530, 548, 554. 1898.
Blue Elsingburg (2). Elsenburgh (2). Elsinboro (4, 10, 11). Elsingburg (7). Elsinburg (6). Elsinborough (6). Elsinborough (2, 3, 4). Missouri Bird’s Eye (8). Smart’s Elsinburgh (3, 4). Smart’s Elsingborough (2, 10, 11).