1910.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 31. 189 



reilexed;. tube, short to medium, medium breadlli, conic basal stamens, 

 pistil point jjresent; core, axile, medium size, central, turbinate, core 

 lines meeting; cells, nearly closed, medium or above, asymmetrical; car- 

 pels, slightly obovate, strongly emarginate, nearly smooth, concavity 

 variable ; seeds, medium in number, plump, medium size, oval or angular, 

 rather short; axis, medium, straight; flesh, white, slightly tinged with 

 greenish yellow, firm, medium texture, medium juicy; flavor, mild sub- 

 acid, very slightly astringent ; quality, good. Described from specimens 

 received from the New York Experiment Station. 



Improved Ben Davis. 



It is stated in the report of the Illinois Horticultural Society 

 for 1899, p. 89, that on several occasions an Improved Ben Davis 

 lias been brought to the attention of the society. It is rather 

 probable that these were simply superior strains of the Ben 

 Davis and not a distinct variety. So far as known, no variety 

 of this name is being propagated. 



NordJiaussan. 

 Scions of this sort were sent to the Division of Pomology at 

 Washington by Mr. John Gabler of Springfield, Mo., in 189G, 

 and by them distributed to various State experiment stations, 

 including that of Massachusetts. Professor Waugli informs me 

 that in both tree and fruit it resembled the Ben Davis. This 

 tree was destroyed some few years ago, and I have not been able 

 to seciu'e either specimens or any further information concerning 

 it. So far as known it is not offered for sale at the present time. 



Ostrakavis. 



A cross of the Ostrakoff and Ben Davis, originated at the 

 Iowa Experiment Station. Distributed only for trial and not 

 considered to be of value. 



Description of Fruit.^ — Fruit medium or below, conical, regular, sur- 

 face oily; color, yellow, with faint bronze blush; cavity, regular, deep, 

 obtuse, Avith faint trace of russet; basin, wide, very shallow, minutely 

 wrinkled; core, wide open, meeting; cells, large, r-oomy, ovate, slit; tube 

 funnel shaped ; stamens, median ; seeds, twelve, large, plump ; flesh, 

 white, sweet. Season probably late fall or early winter. Interesting as 

 showing that a cross of two sour apples may produce a sweet apple. 



> From S. D. Bulletin, 76, p. 80. 



