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_,[166] "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 northern varieties for this purpose. Without doubt, from the many testimonials as to its value for wine-making, it can be highly recommended for this purpose and as a good starting point from which to breed wine grapes. So far, though grown for more than thirty years, its culture is confined to the islands in Lake Erie devoted to grape-growing and the variety can hardly be said to be known in New York. It is probably too late for most parts of New York as it ripens with Catawba. Black Pearl was originated by Casper Schraidt of Put-in-bay, Ohio, over thirty years ago. The originator states that it is a seedling of Delaware but this has generally been discredited, as the vine is evidently of the Riparia type. Bush says it is probably a seedling of Clinton or Taylor. Vine a strong grower, does not winter-kill, usually a good yielder, susceptible to attacks of mildew. Canes are long, numerous, and of average thickness. Leaves are intermediate in size. Flowers open in mid-season or before, sterile or nearly so; stamens reflexed. Fruit ripens with Catawba, keeps fairly well. Clusters small to medium, larger than Clinton, medium to rather slender, tapering to cylindrical, often single-shouldered, intermediate to compact. Berries below medium to very small, roundish, oblate or frequently compressed on account of compactness of cluster, black, glossy, covered with a moderate amount of blue bloom, persistent, firm. Skin thin, tender, adheres strongly to the pulp, contains an unusually large amount of purplish-red pigment, astringent. Flesh moderately juicy, usually with a decided red tinge, nearly tender, slightly spicy, tart, medium to below in flavor and quality. Seeds, which adhere but little to the pulp, are medium to below in size, short to medium, broad, slightly notched, blunt, dark brown; raphe obscure; chalaza central, oval to circular, distinct. BRANT. (Riparia, Labrusca, Vinifera.) =1.= Downing, =1869=:532. =2.= _Am. Jour. Hort._, =6=:91. 1869. _fig._ =3.= _Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt._, =1872=:553. =4.= _Bush. Cat._, =1883=:77. _fig._ =5.= _Kan. Sta. Bul._, =44=:119. 1893. =6.= _Tex. Sta. Bul._, =48=:1149, 1154. 1898.