Narrative
Type = Rotundifolia. Per Brooks and Olmo (see citation): "Orig. in Raleigh, North Carolina, by W.B. Nesbitt, V.H. Underwood and D.E. Carroll, North Carolina Agr. Exp. Sta. Introd. in 1970. Howard x N.C. 11-173 (Topsail x Tarheel). Cross made in 1951 by Carlos F. Williams; selected in 1954 by C.F. Williams (USDA-NCSU). Tested as NC 57-56. [DESCRIPTION]: Fruit: cluster intermediate; berry 1/2 in. in diam.; round; skin bronze, attractive; dry stem scar; flavor similar to Scuppernong; ripens midseason with Scuppernong; for wine or fresh fruit. Vine: vigorous; very productive; hardy; perfect flowered, self-fruitful, intermediate resistance to Melanaonium fuliginum, Myaospaere angulata and Unoinula neoator; susceptible to Guignardia bidwellii and Physopella ampelosidis. Suitable for mechanical harvesting." Per Andersen (see citation): "Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia Michx.) are indigenous to the southeastern United States. Currently 4,000 acres are under cultivation, and the muscadine industry in Florida is stable with about 400-500 acres. Olien summarized the strenghths of the muscadine industry to include a greater resistance to insects and diseases, increased vine longevity and increased market diversity compared to Euvitis table grapes. Poor tolerance to wet soils, uneven fruit ripening, wet stem scar, lack of seedlessness, unstable markets and low prices for processed fruit were cited as weaknesses of the muscadine industry. [...] In addition to high yield ['Carlos' exceeded 7.0 tons/acre], berry size and soluable solids, other important characteristics of muscadine grapes are a high percentage of dry scar [at least 90% for 'Carlos,'] rapid speed for harvest and uniform ripening especially for mechanical harvesting. Since berries were harvested by hand shaking the vines, % dry scar...would be lower than if the grapes were mechanically harvested or pulled off by hand. Muscadine grapes generally ripen more unevenly than Euvitis grapes which is a disadvantage when once-over harvesting or mechanically harvesting. Mortensen and Harris determined that 'Carlos,' 'Cowart,' [etc.] were cultivars that had the best combinations of speed of harvest (sec/lb), % marketable fruit, and % dry scar for fresh market grapes. [...] 'Carlos,' [etc.] were the best choice for juice or wine. [...] All of the above cultivars had at least average yield, vine vigor, soluable solids and berry weight greater thatn 10 g except . . . 'Carlos' (6.6 g). The best cultivars for wine, juice or processing must be high in yield and soluble solids and at least average in respect to vine vigor and speed of harvest. 'Carlos,' [etc.] have been identified as superior in these characteristics."