46 



SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY. 



apple and is planted very extensively; tree vigorous, an early and 

 very abundant bearer. Although not of first-rate quality the hand- 

 siinie appearance and long-keeping capacity of the fruit make it 

 l^rofitaljle for market. Southern-grown specimens are better matured 

 than those gro\\Ti at its northern limits, and hence of better quality. 

 In recent years many seedlings have been raised from Ben Davis, 

 such as Gano, Etris, and Black Ben Davis, which bear a strong re- 

 semblance to the parent and indicate that the parent sometimes 

 reproduces itself quite closely from seed. 



Ben Davis. 



Fruit large, regular, roundish conical, truncated, often unequal; 

 surface smooth, often polished, unctuous at full maturity, yellow, 

 almost wholly covered with brilliant mixed dark red with dark crimson 

 splashes and stripes, a handsome, show}' fruit; dots distinct, few, 

 minute, gray; cavity deep, regular, acute, usually with much stel- 

 late russet which sometimes extends out over base ; stem medium to 

 long, rather slender; basin medium, in large specimens deep, wide, 

 abrupt, regular ov slightly corrugated; calyx partially open; seg- 



