1522 



ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 



Michigan, it is entiioly out of its geo- 

 graphical range of adaptability in the 

 Ozark region. It ripens or drops in 

 August or early in September, has a soft 

 texture, and is undesirable in nearly 

 every particular. Fortunately, it is found 

 in only a few orchards. 



Ben Davis 



Based on the relative number of trees 

 in the Ozark orchards, the Ben Davis 

 apple is by far the most important va- 

 riety which is grown in the Ozark region. 

 Probably from 50 to 75 per cent of the 

 entire number of trees in the commercial 

 orchards consist of this variety. This 

 statement, however, does not necessarily 

 indicate its relative value. In fact, there 

 is such diversity of opinion in regard to 

 its actual merits, and considered broadly 

 in its relation to the whole apple indus- 

 try, the matter is so far-reaching that it 

 is difficult to define the position which it 

 actually holds. Its real position may not 

 be the one commonly ascribed to it. 



On the one hand, one grower claims 

 that the Ben Davis is the most profitable 

 variety that he can plant, not because of 

 the high prices for which it sells, but be- 

 cause of the relatively large quantity of 

 fruit which the trees bear — or which he 

 expects them to bear. On the other hand, 

 another grower could not be induced to 

 plant this variety on account of its i)oor 

 dessert quality and his jealoiis regard for 

 the reputation for high quality of his 

 fruit on the market. 



These two positions represent the two 

 extremes which growers commonly take 

 regarding this variety. It is quite prob- 

 able that some intermediate position re])- 

 resents more accurately its real value in 

 this region. That there is a place for this 

 variety and others of its group can 

 hardly be denied, though its place should 

 be more clearly defined than at present. 



As to the adaptability of this variety to 

 the conditions in the Ozarks. there can 

 be no question concerning its fitness. 

 since in seasons which are favorable to 

 the development of any variety, this one 

 usually reaches a high degree of perfec- 

 tion. During the unusual climatic condi- 

 tions of the past few years, however. 



other varieties, especially .Tonathan, have 

 borne as regularly. 



The rather extravagant claims which 

 are sometimes made regarding the high 

 dessert quality which the Ben Davis de- 

 velops in this region can not be generally 

 accepted aside from the fact that in tex- 

 ture, juiciness, and in other particulars 

 the fruit from this region is markedly 

 superior to that grown in a region which 

 is not within the geographical range of 

 the variety. 



The tree is generally a vigorous grower, 

 though the foliage is often badly in.iured 

 by fungous diseases. Bitter-rot and apple 

 blotch are apt to be very serious on the 

 fruit unless thoroughly sprayed. 



Great quantities of Ben Davis apples, 

 especially the lower grades, are evapo- 

 rated in the Ozarks. They make a par- 

 ticularly white stock, attractive in appear- 

 ance, but in dessert quality the evapo- 

 rated fruit is not better relatively than 

 the fresh fruit. 



Considered in its broad relation to the 

 whole apple industry, the growing of im- 

 mense quantities of a variety which is 

 recognized as being of such poor dessert 

 quality as is the one in question is a mat- 

 ter which touches every phase of the 

 apple industry. Any commodity of poor 

 quality, grown in large quantities and 

 placed upon the market for a long period 

 of time, will injure the whole apple in- 

 dustry by lessening the demand for 

 apples. 



IJenoni 



Only a few orchards in the Ozarks con- 

 tain this variety; those in which it has 

 been observed are in Southwestern Mis- 

 souri, where it usually reaches a high de- 

 gree of perfection and is highly iirized in 

 its season. 



The fruit is small to medium in size; 

 color yellow, washed with mixed red and 

 broken stripes of crimson; quality ver,v 

 good; season in Southwestern Missouri, 

 ,Iuly, about 10 days to two weeks later 

 than Red .Tune. 



Though but limited observation of this 

 variety has been possible, it is consid- 

 ered worthy of critical consideration by 

 those who desire an early variety having 



