CHAPTER XIX 

 VARIETIES OF APPLES 



THE proper selection of varieties should be given careful 

 consideration by the commercial apple-grower since this 

 may determine the success or failure of his enterprise. 

 Hundreds of varieties of apples are grown in the United 

 States and many hundreds of others are described in 

 pomological lists. It is interesting to note, however, how 

 relatively few varieties make up the commercial apple 

 production of the United States. Twelve varieties repre- 

 sent nearly 80 per cent of the commercial apple crop of 

 the United States. Such a limited list would probably 

 include Ben Davis, Baldwin, Rhode Island Greening, 

 Winesap, Jonathan, Northern Spy, Yellow Newtown, 

 York Imperial, Delicious, Stayman, Grimes and Wealthy. 

 These varieties are not of recent origin, but are almost 

 without exception old and well established sorts known to 

 the commercial grower for generations. 



Baldwin has been known since the middle of the eigh- 

 teenth century, while Ben Davis was propagated over one 

 hundred years ago. Jonathan was first exhibited in 1829, 

 while Northern Spy has been famous for its high dessert 

 and market qualities for over one hundred years. Rhode 

 Island Greening was highly recommended as long ago as 

 1800 and the same is true of Tompkins King. Yellow 

 Newtown has been prized for its good qualities for almost 

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