THE GRAPES OF NEW YORK. 185 



" Growtli medium, shoots smooth; leaves large, more or less three-lobed. with uneven 

 margin; bunches large, oblong witli large base, frequently branched; berries black, 

 decidedly acid, pulp rather firm, ripe July 22nd; defoliated on October 6. 1896. Not 

 good for table use." 



BLACK EAGLE. 

 (Labrusca, \'inifera.) 



I. Mass. Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1868:10. (No name given.) 2. Ohio Hort. Soc. Rpt., 1875-6:22. 

 3. lb.. 1876-7:32. 4. Bush. Cat., 1883:75. fig. 5. A'. V. Sta. An. Rpt.. 12:618. 1893. 6. rciiti. 

 Sta. Bui., Vol. 9:168. 1896. 7. N. Y. Sta. An. Rpt.. 17:527. 548. 553, 559. 1898. 8. Tex. Sta. 

 Bui. 48:1149, 1153. 1898. 9. Mo. Sta. Bui., 46:37, 42, 44, 46, 48, 76. 1899. '<>• ^- Y- -S/a. ^»i. 

 Rpt., 18:370, 386, 396. 1899. II. ATaii. Sta. Bui. 110:240. 1902. 

 UndcrhiWs 8-12 (4). 



Black Eagle is a full brother of Black Defiance which it inuch resembles 

 but surpasses for New York because it is fully three weeks earlier in ripening. 

 On our grounds its season is about with Concord. The quality of Black 

 Eagle is of the best, but the vine lacks in vigor, hardiness and productive- 

 ness and the fruit is susceptible to black-rot. As the color-jjlate shows, 

 bunch and berr\- are large and attractive; bunches weighing nearly two 

 pounds have been grown for exhibition purposes and probably there are few 

 if any showier hybrid grapes than this when at its best. The leaf is that 

 of Vitis vinifera, deeply lobed, of a beautiful green, and with firm texture, 

 making with thrifty vines one of the most attractive grape plants to be 

 found in our vineyards. The variety is self-sterile. Black Eagle has 

 wholh' failed as a commercial variety and its several weaknesses will pre- 

 vent amateurs from growing it largely, yet it is far too good a grape to give 

 up altogether and lovers of grapes should keep it in cultivation. 



The variety originated with Stephen W. Underbill, Croton-on- Hudson, 

 New York, from seed of Concord pollinated by Black Prince. It first 

 fruited in 1866. The variety was sent out by Underbill for testing and 

 was introduced without the originator's consent. 



Vine medium to vigorous, not always hardy, not productive. Canes rather rough, 

 medium to long, of average number, thick, approaching dark reddish-brown, covered 

 with slight blue bloom; nodes strongly enlarged, slightly flattened; intemodes above 

 medium length ; diaphragm thick ; pith of average size ; shoots pubescent ; tendrils con- 

 tinuous, long, bifid to trifid. 



Leaf-buds intermediate in size, short, rather thick, pointed to conical, open very 

 late. Young leaves tinged with carmine on the under surface and along margin of upper 



