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.