182 State Horticultural Society. 



varieties. If kept too cold the skin turns dark and gives them the 

 appearance of decay. Winesap was formerly a favorite, especially 

 where planted in rich soil and well cared for, but of late years it has 

 been both small and very scabby. I do not recommend planting it. 



But no other apple ever introduced on the American continent has 

 sustained its reputation, both as to health of tree and perfection of 

 fruit, like the profitable Ben Davis, but often much abused by some. 

 It is the leading commercial apple almost from ocean to 

 ocean, and from the Gulf almost to the Lakes. It is preeminently the 

 king of the apple family, for all purposes in w^hich an apple may be 

 used. I can give no stronger indorsement than the following clippings 

 from an eastern fruit journal: 



"^^THE BEN DAVIS APPLE. 



^'The tree is a good one, bears early, annually and prolifically. The 

 apple is beautiful in shape, size and color. It is preeminently a good 

 shipper and long keeper. For culinary purposes it has no superior in 

 the appearance, palatableness or utility of the finished product. Cooked 

 or uncooked it is, in its season, agreeable and healthful. In qualities 

 of solid merit for all purposes to which mankind applies it, except for 

 cider and the hypercritical taste at dessert, it is superior to all other 

 apples. This renders it the favorite in commerce and gives it the 

 world's verdict. 



"A few hundred people have for many years debated its quality 

 as a mere table fruit. Seventy millions of Americans and perhaps all 

 apple using people elsewhere, either not knowing of the discussion or 

 earing nothing about it, buy and use this apple when they can get it. 



^'The Ben Davis apple, like Grant's generalship, is often criticised 

 but always triumphant. It is a development that meets a need as 

 nothing else of its kind has done. It has pleased the world's eye. It 

 has convinced the world's judgment. It is beautiful, useful and en- 

 during. Its deficiencies can not contend against its merits. It is not 

 to be judged by the palate alone. It suffers in quality only in com- 

 ])arison with a very few other varieties inferior to it in all other re- 

 ppocts. Applying to it the test of quality nlouc a (>oui]iarntively few 



