Varieties of Apples 397 



Ben Davis. 



The Ben Davis comes next to the Baldwin in commercial 

 importance on account of its wide distribution.. It is 

 thought to have originated in the southern states about 

 1800 and has been a leading commercial variety for many 

 years, particularly in Missouri and Arkansas where, with 

 the Gano, it represents from 60 to 80 per cent of the 

 commercial production. The Ben Davis apple has played 

 an important part in nearly every commercial apple-grow- 

 ing region in this country, and thrives in nearly all but the 

 most northern states. The tree is strong and vigorous, 

 with upright form, and seldom breaks under heavy loads. 

 It comes into bearing early and yields large annual crops. 

 Unquestionably Ben Davis production is rapidly on the 

 decline. Very few trees of this variety are being planted 

 anywhere in the country. Its susceptibility to the Illinois 

 blister-canker has been the cause of heavy loss in trees all 

 through the Ozarks, Missouri River region and Illinois. 

 This susceptibility seems the one weakness in the tree. 



The fruit ranks Ibwest in dessert quality of all leading 

 varieties, yet for cooking, shipping, and keeping qualities, 

 it stands among the best. Ben Davis is important in the 

 Northwest where it is boxed. In the Ozarks and Middle 

 West it is shipped both in bulk and in barrels, and in 

 eastern states, principally Virginia, it is largely barreled. 



It is adapted to a very wide range of soils, perhaps more 

 so than any other standard variety. Despite low prices, 

 Ben Davis has unquestionably been a profitable apple on 

 account of its large annual yields. From a strictly mone- 

 tary standpoint, and over a long period of years, commer- 

 cial growers rank Ben Davis among their best paying 

 sorts. 



