182 



EXPERIMENT STATION. 



[Jan. 



equally well farther to the southeast in the mountains of north- 

 ern Georgia and Alabama, and thus its southern limit of success- 

 ful growth conform more closely to this isotherm than is in- 

 dicated. 



Ever since the Ben Davis became known, fifty or more years 

 ago, there has been much unfavorable comment on its quality, 

 .and many have predicted its speedy disappearance from the 

 orchard and market. All the while the Ben Davis trees have 

 borne full crops and have filled the owner's pocket in years when 

 other sorts were delinquent in these most important qualities 

 of a commercial apple. During the past season (1908-09) 

 reply postcards were sent to over 225 nurserymen in the United 

 States and Canada asking the following questions : — 



How do your sales of Ben Davis compare with those of other va- 

 rieties ? 



In what States are your sales of Ben Davis increasing', and how 

 rapidly ? 



In what States are they decreasing, and how rapidly? 



In what States are they practically stationary? 



Is it being replaced by other varieties, and if so, what ones? 



One hundred and thirty-one of these cards were returned. A 

 few gave no definite replies, owing to various reasons, but from 

 the great majority the following facts are gleaned : — 



Number reporting increased sales, ..... 8 

 Number reporting decreased sales, , . . . .59 

 Number reporting no change, 27 



Erom the replies to the question as to what varieties are re- 

 placing the Ben Davis the following summary is made : — 



Jonathan, .... 



Gano, 



Winesap, .... 



Arkansas {Mam. Blk. Twig), 

 Grimes Golden, 

 York Imperial, 

 Rome Beauty, 

 Stayman Winesap, . 

 Northern Spy, 



Stark, 



Arkansas Black, 



Number 



of Times 



mentioned. 



. 26 



. 19 



. 17 



15 



12 



12 



9 



7 



6 



6 



Baldwin, 



Esopus Spitzenburg, 



Mcintosh, 



Newtown Pippin, . 



Delicious, 



Wagner, 



Missouri Pippin, . 



Oldenburg, 



Paragon, 



WeaUhv, 



Number 



of Times 



meutioued. 



