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.

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