Berckmans

(Vulpina, Labrusca, Bourquiniana)



In Berckmans we have the fruit of Delaware on the vine of Clinton. The

berry and bunch resemble Delaware in shape; the fruit is of the same

color; bunch and berry are larger; the grapes keep longer; the flesh

is firmer but the quality is not so good, the flesh lacking tenderness

and richness in comparison with Delaware. The vine of Berckmans is not

only more vigorous, but is less subject to mildew than that of

Delaware. The vine characters are not, however, as good as those of

Clinton. The variety is poorly adapted to some soils, and on these the

grapes do not color well. In spite of many good qualities, Berckmans

is but an amateur's grape. The name commemorates the viticultural

labors of P. J. Berckmans, a contemporary and friend of A. P. Wylie,

of Chester, South Carolina, who originated the variety. Berckmans came

from Delaware seed fertilized by Clinton, the seed having been sown in

1868.



Vine vigorous, hardy, productive. Canes long, numerous, slender,

dark brown; nodes prominent, flattened; internodes short; shoots

glabrous; tendrils intermittent, long, bifid. Leaves small, thin;

upper surface light green, smooth; lower surface pale green,

glabrous; lobes one to three, terminal one acute; petiolar sinus

shallow, wide; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus shallow.

Flowers open early, self-fertile; stamens upright.



Fruit ripens with Delaware. Clusters shouldered, compact, slender;

pedicel long, slender with few warts; brush short, light green.

Berries small, oval, Delaware-red, darker when well ripened,

covered with thin bloom, persistent; skin thin, tough, adherent,

astringent; flesh pale yellowish-green, translucent, fine-grained,

tender, melting, vinous, sweet, sprightly; very good. Seeds free,

one to four, small, broad, blunt, brown.