l82 THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 



BERCKMANS. 



(Riparia. Labrusca, Bourquiniana.) 



1. Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1871:114. 2. lb., 1877:4,^. 3. Gar. Mon., 23:308. 1881. 4. Bush. Cat., 

 1883:75. 5. Atn. Pom. Soc. Cat., 1889:24. 6. Ala. Sta. Bui, 10:8. 1890. 7. Ark. Sta. Bui, 39:27. 

 1896. 8. Rural N. Y., 56:823. 1897. 9. iV. Y. Sta. An. Rpt., 17:526, 545, 547, 553. iSgS, 10. 

 Tex. Sta. Bid., 48:1149, 1153. 1898. ii. Mo. Sta. Bui., 46:37, 43, 44, 46, 48. 1899. 12. Kan. Sta. 

 Bui., 110:245. 1902. 



Delawark and Clinton No. i (i). 



In Berckmans, generally speaking, we have the fruit of Delaware on 

 the vine of Clinton. Berckmans was disseminated nearly forty years ago 

 and though the fruit is seemingly better adapted for the market than Dela- 

 ware, and the vine much more vigorous, as hardy and as productive as 

 its better known parent, yet the variety is seldom grown other than as an 

 amateur grape. The berrv and bunch resemble Delaware in shape; the 

 fruit is of the same color; l)unch and lierry are larger, but the vine is not 

 ciuite as prodvictive ; the flesh is firmer, making it a better shipper and it 

 keeps better; the cjuality is not so good, the flesh lacking tenderness, sweet- 

 ness and richness in comparison with Delaware. The vine of Berckmans is 

 much more vigorous and is less subject to mildew than that of Delaware, 

 but there are many reports that it suffers from leaf-hoppers and the rose 

 bug, insects which seem inordinately fond of its foliage. The vine char- 

 acters are not as good as those of Clinton. The variety seems illy adapted 

 to some soils and in particular does not color well if not suited in this 

 respect. In spite of its many good qualities, popular verdict has decreed 

 that Berckmans is but an amateur's grape. The name commemorates 

 the viticultural labors of P. J. Berckmans, a contemporary and friend of 

 Dr. A. P. W\'lie of Chester, South Carolina, who originated the variety and 

 christened it Berckmans. 



Berckmans was produced by Dr. A. P. Wylie' of Chester, South Caro- 



' Dr. A. P. Wylie was a southern hybridizer. His life was one of exceptionally varied 

 usefulness. Besides being a physician he worked with many different plants, producing new varie- 

 ties of cotton, peach, nectarine, magnolia and other species. His hybrids were produced chiefly 

 during the sixties and early seventies. His method of testing hybrid grapes was unique; as soon 

 as the fruit from the cross-fertilized blossoms ripened, the seeds were planted and the seedlings forced 

 the first winter in a hothouse. In the spring it was planted by the side of a mature vine outside 

 and the seedling grafted by inarching on the established vine. In this manner, his son writes us, 



