The origin of this grape is somewhat obscure. While its foliage and hardihood make it a native of this country, we have testimony that the first vine of it now known was brought to Cleveland from Germany. About twenty-four or five years since, Rev. S. C. Aiken, of Cleveland, obtained a vine without name from a company of German emigrants; this he planted, and when it came into bearing, the fruit ripened some ten days or more before the Isabella, causing attention to be drawn to it by some few amateurs; but as the vine stood in a sheltered position in a city yard, and was well fed and cultivated, its superiority to the Isabella was considered rather the result of situation than a distinct variety. Years afterward, the writer had his attention drawn to it, and while he was unable to say what it was, he felt sure it was not Isabella. With this impression, he watched it in many places, for cuttings of it have been distributed and grown in various soils; the result is, that in no locality has he ever witnessed any mildew upon it, and invariably it has ripened its fruit a week or ten days sooner than Isabella, wherever grown side by side with it.

Vine - Hardy, strong grower, productive, wood difficult to detect from Isabella. Bunches - Large, shouldered; very compact; berries, large, round, or nearly so; bright, glossy black, with little or no bloom. Flesh - Tender; pulp about the same as Isabella, juicy, sweet, and rich, with a pleasant aroma.