24 SUMMER APPLES IN THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 



Carolina; in central New Jersey, about one month later. The variety is considered 

 desirable as a commercial sort by some of the growers. In some sections the fruit 

 is inclined to drop prematurely, but this characteristic has not been reported from 

 this region in the present connection. 

 Bachelor Blush. 



This variety is said to be of New Jersey origin, but details of its history are not 

 obtainable. It is not widely disseminated and in this region is known only to a very 

 small number of growers. The rather meager information obtainable concerning its 

 behavior indicates that it may possess considerable merit. 



The tree is said to be prolific, bearing more or less fruit annually. The fruit resem- 

 bles the Maiden Blush apple considerably but is rather larger than that variety; 

 frequently more highly colored and of better dessert quality. In central New Jersey 

 ripening begins the last of August. 

 Benoni. 



This variety originated in Massachusetts many years ago. The first published 

 reference to it appeared in the New England Farmer in 1831. It is growing in a few 

 orchards in central New Jersey and in at least one tide-water orchard in Virginia. 



The tree grows with sufficient vigor and bears heavy crops on alternate years, 

 though under some conditions nearly annual crops are produced. The fruit pos- 

 sesses high dessert quality and is of attractive appearance; color yellowish, over- 

 spread with red and striped with crimson. It is too small, however, for general 

 commercial purposes, though for a special trade some demand might be created for 

 it on account of its high dessert quality. This also commends it for home use. 



In the Virginia orchard, above mentioned, which is located in close proximity to 

 the coast, this variety has done especially well in recent years. The trees bear 

 heavily and the fruit reaches a good size for the variety, obtaining a high degree of 

 perfection. In this orchard good cultural conditions are maintained. The fruit 

 begins ripening early in July in Virginia; in central New Jersey it is two weeks or so 

 later. 

 Bibbing. 



So far as information at present available indicates, this variety was first propa- 

 gated and distributed in this region sometime prior to 1875, by the late Mr. Randolph 

 Peters, whose nursery was not far from Wilmington, Del. It does not appear, how- 

 ever, to have been planted extensively, as only an occasional orchard in this region 

 now contains it. On account of its very close resemblance to the Oldenburg apple, 

 and the danger of confusion with that variety, attention is here directed to it. 



In habit of growth, the tree makes a rather flat, broad top, moderately dense, and 

 with heavy dark-green foliage. In contrast with this habit the top of Oldenburg is 

 usually more roundish and less dense and the foliage somewhat lighter. The fruit 

 of these two varieties is hardly distinguishable one from the other. Bibbing is per- 

 haps less sharply acid and may be slightly earlier than Oldenburg. Otherwise it is 

 scarcely possible to distinguish any constant points of difference between them, and 

 even those noted as distinguishable may be so influenced by conditions as to be of 

 little value for purposes of identification. 

 Bietigheimer. Synonym: Red Bietigheimer. 



This variety is of German origin. It is growing in a small number of orchards in 

 central New Jersey and Delaware, both on the very light sandy soils and the more 

 loamy types. 



The tree is a fairly vigorous, upright grower under these conditions, but the variety 



is not proving thus far to be of any special value. It is late in coming into bearing, 



trees 10 to 15 years old having borne very sparingly. Older trees in other regions 



indicate that heavy bearing is unusual. Under favorable conditions the fruit is very 



194 



