THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 189 



BLACK IMPERIAL, 



(Labrusca, Bourquiniana, Vinifera.) 

 1. Mo. Hort.Soc. Rpt.. 1891:127. 2. Bush. Cat., 1894:93. 3. Ga. Sta. Bui., 53:41. igoi. 



Black Imperial is one of Dr. J. Stayman's grapes. It has high quality 

 and is handsome in appearance but is so susceptible to fungi as to be almost 

 worthless and has now passed from cultivation. 



Dr. J. Stayman of Leavenworth, Kansas, produced Black Imperial from 

 seed of Dutchess some time in the eighties. The variety was first called 

 Black's Imperial. There was another variety preceding this \A-hich is men- 

 tioned by Prince' and Fuller- in the sixties by the name of Black Imperial. 



The following description is taken largely from that (jf the originator: 



Vine usually moderately vigorous and productive. Cluster large, shouldered, 

 compact. Berries of medium size, black, tender, juicy; flavor sweet, vinous; quality 

 good to very good. Flowers self-fertile. Quite subject to mildew and black-rot. 



BLACK PEARL. 



(Riparia, Labnisca?) 



I. Mich. Pom. Soc. Rpt., 1875:459. 2. Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1876-7:90. 3. lb.. 1882-3:49. 

 4. Bush. Cat., 1883:75. 5. Mo. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1884:215. 6. Mo. Sta. Bid., 46:37, 43, 45, 40. 1899. 

 Schr.^idt's Seedling (r. 2). Scliraidt's .Seedling (3, 4). 



Viticulturists agree that Black Pearl is but an improved Clinton, 

 notwithstanding the originator's statement that it came from seed of 

 Delaware. Unfortunately the vine is not in the Station vineyard and 

 our estimate of its vine characters is taken from the descriptions of others. 

 According to the Bushberg Catalogue,^ "The vine is a vigorous healthy 

 grower similar in appearance of growth and foliage to Elvira and Noah." 

 The bunches and berries, as they have been sent to this Station, are larger 

 than Clinton and of better quality though of small value as a table fruit. 

 It seems well agreed among wine-makers that Black Pearl makes an 

 exceptionally good red wine equalling or surpassing any other of our north- 

 ern varieties for this purpose. Without doubt, from the many testimonials 

 as to its value for v^^ine-making, it can be highly recoinmended for this pur- 



' Mag. Hort., 1863:67. 

 2 Fuller, 1867:237. 

 2 Bush. Cat., 1883:7;. 



