Burr’s No. 2 (1).
Standard is said to be a full sister of Jewel, but it is not equal to the sister nor nearly equal to the reputed parent, Delaware. The variety seems to be thought highly of in the West and it is possible that it has greater value there than in New York. The quality of the grape is high and it is said to make a light-colored wine of good body, taste and aroma, but taking it all and all it does not rise above mediocre and cannot be recommended unless for trial.
The variety was originated by John Burr of Leavenworth, Kansas, from seed of Delaware planted about 1874. It was introduced in 1887 by Stayman & Black of Leavenworth, Kansas. There are few characters of either vine or fruit that show evidence of having come from Delaware.
Vine variable in vigor, usually hardy in ordinary seasons, productive. Canes short to medium, few in number, rather slender; tendrils continuous to intermittent, bifid to trifid. Leaves not very healthy, medium to small, moderately light green; lower surface tinged with bronze, pubescent. Flowers partly fertile, open in mid-season; stamens upright. Fruit ripens about with Concord, usually keeps fairly well. Clusters not uniform in size, short, frequently with a small single shoulder, compact to medium. Berries small to above medium, roundish, very dark reddish-black covered with a large amount of lilac bloom, sometimes shatter considerably from pedicel. Skin thin, rather tender. Flesh unusually pale green, somewhat stringy, vinous, tender, sweet from skin to center, good in quality. Seeds slightly adherent, medium to small, intermediate in width; chalaza oval, often distinctly above center.
STARK-STAR.
(Labrusca, Vinifera, Aestivalis.)
1. National Nur., 10:128, 133. 1902. 2. Rural N. Y., 62:788. 1903. 3. Ill. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1903:65, 208, 274, 276. 4. Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1904:301.
Stark-Star is receiving careful attention in the South and Southwest but unfortunately it does not ripen early enough to promise well for this latitude. On the Station grounds it ripens after Catawba, which does not always mature. If the variety fulfills the high expectations of it in the region of its origin it is worthy a trial in the regions of this State where the Catawba ripens.
The variety was originated by Joseph Bachman of Altus, Arkansas, from seed of Catawba fertilized by Norton or Hermann. The seed was planted about 1892. Stark-Star was introduced by Stark Brothers, of Louisiana, Missouri.
Vine vigorous, hardy, healthy, productive. Canes medium to short, numerous, often slender, roughened; tendrils continuous to intermittent, bifid to trifid. Leaves large to medium, dark green, frequently thin; lower surface pale green, slightly pubescent, cobwebby. Fruit ripens later than Catawba, appears to be an excellent keeper. Clusters large, medium to long, inclined to broadness, frequently with a well marked short single shoulder, very compact. Berries medium to below in size, oval to roundish but frequently compressed on account of compactness of cluster, black when ripe, covered with blue bloom, persistent. Skin intermediate in thickness, tender. Flesh pale green, not very juicy, tough and solid, slightly aromatic and spicy, almost sweet, fair to good in quality. Seeds adhere somewhat to the pulp, numerous, medium to small, intermediate in length and width, plump; raphe shows as a distinct cord; chalaza distinctly above center to nearly central.