Berckmans was produced by Dr. A. P. Wylie[162] of Chester, South Carolina, from Delaware seed fertilized by Clinton. The seed was planted in 1868 and the plant bore its first fruit in 1870, the variety being introduced some years later. [Illustration: BERCKMANS] Vine similar to Clinton in growth and foliage, vigorous to very vigorous, hardy, produces average to good crops. Canes long, numerous, rather slender, light to dark brown; nodes prominent, flattened; internodes short; diaphragm below medium thickness; pith medium to above in size; shoots not pubescent; tendrils intermittent, long, bifid. Leaf-buds intermediate in size, short, of average thickness, conical to nearly obtuse, open very early. Young leaves decidedly pale green with faintest trace of carmine, prevailing color green on both sides. Leaves medium to small, thin; upper surface light green, smooth; lower surface pale green, not pubescent; veins inconspicuous; lobes vary from none to three, terminal lobe acute; petiolar sinus medium to shallow, wide; basal sinus usually lacking; lateral sinus shallow; teeth intermediate in depth and width. Flowers open rather early, fertile; stamens upright. Fruit ripens with Delaware and keeps unusually well. Clusters attractive, much like Delaware in shape and size but slightly longer and more often shouldered, compact to medium, averaging slightly looser than either parent; peduncle rather short, slender; pedicel longish, slender, covered with but few warts; brush short, light green. Berries intermediate in size, slightly larger than Delaware, roundish to slightly oval, resemble Delaware in color but somewhat darker when well ripened, covered with lilac bloom, persistent, of average firmness. Skin thin, somewhat tough, slightly adhering to pulp, contains no pigment, nearly astringent. Flesh pale yellowish-green, translucent, fine-grained, tender, inclined to melting, vinous, sweet to agreeably tart, sprightly, very good in quality. Seeds separate easily from the pulp, one to four, average three, slightly below medium in size, rather broad and blunt, brownish; raphe obscure; chalaza of average size, slightly above center, irregularly oval, distinct. BERTRAND. (Bourquiniana.) =1.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._, =1885=:17. =2.= _Rural N. Y._, =45=:653, 660. 1886. _fig._ =3.= _Gar. Mon._, =28=:305. 1886. _fig._ =4.= _Bush. Cat._, =1894=:90. _fig._ =5.= _Texas Farm and Ranch_, Feb. 8, =1896=:11. =6.= _Ala. Sta. Bul._, =110=:78. 1900. BLUE SEEDLING (1, 3). _Blue Seedling_ (4, 5).