BLACK ROSE 
BLACK ROSE isa hybrid, resulting from a cross 
of Damas Rose X Black Monukka X Ribier, and was 
introduced in 1951. Originated at U. S. Horticultural 
Field Station in Fresno. 
The fruit clusters are large and well-filled, but not 
compact. Berries are large, jet-black with light grayish 
bloom. Vine is vigorous and productive, and bears well 
on both cane and spur pruning. 
It ripens in early mid-season, 5 to 7 days ahcad of 
Ribier in the Fresno area. In eating quality it is far 
superior to Ribier, having tender flesh and a distinctive 
delicious flavor. The bearing acreage is limited and 
located in Fresno and Tulare Counties. Most of the 
crop has been sold at excellent prices in California 
markets. Some fruit has been shipped east and exported 
as far away as Cuba. Because of its tenderness, it must 
be picked at the right season and carefully handled and 
packed for distant shipment. 
Because of its heavy bearing, handsome appearance 
and delicious eating quality, it is destined for consid- 
erable commercial planting in certain districts. 
This grape has been grown mostly on the heavier 
sandy loam types of soil. It should do its best on soils 
where Ribier grows and produces satisfactorily. This 
would include Coachella as well as the San Joaquin 
Valley, particularly the southern part. 
It is worthy of trial in home gradens in any area 
where grapes will succeed at all. 
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4 
BEAUTY SEEDLESS is the newest of all the 
varieties we list and will require further time for proper 
evaluation. Its acceptance on the market may depend 
on consumer education because most people associate 
seedlessness in a grape with the green or amber Thomp- 
son—and this variety is jet-black, with a heavy bluish 
bloom. It is very attractive in appearance and has berries 
about the same size as Thompson Seedless. It ripens with 
the Perlette, and considering its very early maturity, 
has excellent eating quality. One of its advantages over 
other very early ripening grapes is that the clusters are 
not too compact, and it responds very well to girdling. 
It too is a hybrid, originating at the U. C. College of 
Agriculture at Davis, and they consider it to have 
more promise than any other variety recently intro- 
duced, assuming that the consuming public can be 
educated to accept a black seedless grape. It is certainly 
worthy of extensive trial, particularly in the early table 
grape districts. 
