266 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



Mass., and it is counted one of the best of his numerous hybrids, being not only- 

 large and beautiful in fruit, but the vine is also vigorous, hardy and productive. 

 The following description is from the Bushberg Catalogue : — 

 Bunch large, often shouldered, sometimes weighing a pound ; berry large, 

 globular ; color dark purple, nearly black, slight bloom ; flesh tolerably tender, 

 with a slight pulp, juicy, rich, pleasant and sweet. Ripens with, and sometimes 

 earlier than the Concord, keeping for a long time. The vine is vigorous, healthy, 

 hardy, and productive ; roots abundant, of medium thickness, straight, with a 

 smooth, moderately firm liber; canes heavy and long, with well-developed laterals. 

 Wood firm, with a medium pith. 



BEN DAVIS APPLE. 



HE second annual meeting of the Southern Illinois Horticultural 

 Society was held in Fairfield, Feb. 17th and i8th. The atten- 

 dance was very good, about two hundred, notwithstanding the 

 absence of many on account of the prevalence of sickness, and 

 ^] the lateness of the meeting. Hereafter the meetings will be held 

 earlier, probably some time in January. 

 There was much local interest in the meeting, as the people of the surround- 

 ing country are thoroughly aroused to the matter of planting apple orchards for 

 profit. 



The Ben Davis is decidedly the leading favorite, and more largely planted 

 than all others combined. In fact, it is safe to say that about 90 per ceijt. of 

 all the trees being planted are Ben Davis. 



There are some parts of Southern Illinois where the Ben Davis is not the 

 best apple to plant. It the extreme south part of the State along the Ohio 

 River, the Winesap does phenomenally well, the tree being a fine grower and 

 bearer, the fruit large, fine and of excellent quality, and a good keeper. The 

 Ben Davis in this part of the State ripens too early to be a winter apple, hence, 

 most of the plantings consist of Winesap. In some parts of the northern part 

 of Southern Illinois the Jonathan does exceedingly well, and being an apple of 

 excellent quality and not largely grown, it brings a better price than Ben Davis, 

 and is always ready sale, so in some parts it is being planted largely by some 

 planters. 



That the Ben Davis is not the best apple in quality, was generally admitted, 

 and an apple having all the good characteristics of the Ben Davis, with better 

 quality added, would be hailed with delight and generally planted. But the 

 large orchards now being planted in Southern Illinois are put out for the purpose 

 of making money, and past experience has proven that for this purpose no other 

 apple now generally tested can compare with it. 



