Eclipse


(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 o


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.



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