176 EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



THE BEN DAVIS GROUP OF APPLES.' 



BY J. K. SHAW. 



It is generally agreed by pomologists that the most feasible 

 and satisfactory method of classifying varieties of fruits is by 

 segregating them in groups typified by more or less well-known 

 sorts, each differing in considerable degree from the type of the 

 neighboring groups. Many writers speak of the Ben Davis 

 group, but so far as is known to the present writer the only real 

 attempt to single out the members of this group is that given by 

 Hedrick, Bui. 275 of the Xew York State Experiment Station. 



Starting with the group as given here as a foundation, a 

 somewhat thorough examination of all available literature and 

 suggestions from several men, authorities in systematic pomol- 

 ogy, gave a list of forty varieties which were considered as can- 

 didates for this group. In order to decide, with some feeling 

 of certainty, just which of these properly belong here would 

 require much longer time and more material than has been avail- 

 able. The personal study of material was necessarily limited 

 to the fruit with nearly everv variety, and with many of the 

 varieties it was impossible to obtain specimens, making it neces- 

 sary to rely upon printed descriptions and the opinions of others^ 

 and everything of this kind available has been carefully con- 

 sidered. 



As a result of this study the following varieties are believed 

 to belong here, and are separately considered and described in 

 this paper : — 



• This article is a condensation of a part of a thesis presented to the faculty and trustees of the 

 Massachusetts Agricultural College for the degree of M.S. The work was done under tlio direction 

 of Prof. F. C. Sears, and special thanks are due him and to Prof. F. A. Waugh for advica and en- 

 couragement in the work; also to many horticulturists, fruit growers and others who have sup- 

 plied information regarding the different varieties. 



