32 ORCHARD FRUITS IN VIRGINIA AND OTHER STATES. 



upon the latitude, the high altitudes at southern points affording similar climatic 

 conditions to lower altitudes in more northern sections. On Cecil clay at 800 to 1,000 

 feet altitude in the upper portion of the Piedmont region, the Ben Davis has generally- 

 given good results. Other types of soil common to the Piedmont region, such as Cecil 

 loam, Cecil sandy loam, Murrill clay loam, and possibly some others, are probably less 

 desirable types on which to grow this than Cecil clay. The latter and the types com- 

 monly found in the mountains within the altitude limits mentioned appear to give 

 the most uniformly satisfactory results. 

 Bonum. Synonym: Magnum Bonum. 



While this is one of the varieties which has been in cultivation many years and is 

 quite widely distributed in these regions, it is seldom found except in the older 

 orchards, and in these only in small lots. The tree is ordinarily a good grower and 

 bears well, though quite largely in alternate years under usual conditions of culture. 

 The merits of the fruit are such that as a September and October variety it is deserving 

 of more general planting. While little or no effort has been made in these regions to 

 develop a market for fall varieties, the high dessert quality of this one and its attractive 

 dark red color, together with its medium size under favorable cultural conditions, 

 would appear to make it a very desirable apple for supplying a fancy trade. 



Very fine specimens are grown in Bedford County, Va., on Cecil clay, at an eleva- 

 tion of 1,000 feet. It does well at elevations of 800 to 1,000 feet on Cecil sandy loam in 

 Albemarle County. In the upper Piedmont region, in Rappahannock County, Va., it 

 is much prized, being marketed from the first of September to the middle of October, 

 frequently at very satisfactory prices. The soil in the section referred to is a friable 

 red clay loam, ranging in elevation from 1,000 to 1,500 feet. This apple is not well 

 adapted to conditions prevailing at the higher elevations. On Porters black loam at 

 2,200 to 2,400 feet elevation the fruit is smaller than at lower points; in form and color 

 it varies from the usual type, and its quality is relatively inferior. On a loose moun- 

 tain soil in North Carolina at 4,000 feet altitude the quality of fruit from young trees is 

 so inferior as to raise some question in regard to the identity of the variety. At another 

 point on similar soil at about 3,000 feet it is said to do finely as a fall variety and bear 

 regularly. In this instance it is thoroughly sprayed. This behavior, however, con- 

 flicts with the usual experience at the higher elevations. 

 Buckingham. Synonyms: Fall Queen, Equinetely. 



This variety is not grown extensively in these regions and is seldom seen in orchards 

 south of North Carolina. As a fall variety, it possesses fairly good dessert quality. It 

 is usually productive and satisfactory on Cecil sandy loam and Cecil clay at 1,000 feet 

 elevation; it is also considered valuable on Porters black loam at 1,200 feet. Very fine 

 specimens have been found in some of the mountain orchards of western North Caro- 

 lina on a friable clay loam with porous subsoil at an elevation of about 3,000 feet. 

 Buncombe. Synonym: Red Winter Pearmain. 



This variety is in many of the older orchards, especially in the North Carolina por- 

 tion of the regions under consideration. It is, however, of but little commercial 

 importance and has rarely been included in the orchards of recent planting. Its 

 season is late fall and early winter in the sections where it is most often found. 

 Cannon Pearmain. Synonyms: Red Cannon, Green Cannon. 



The variety here named is peculiarly characteristic, in its distribution, of Bedford 

 County, Va., seldom being found in any other section in these regions. It is of con- 

 siderable importance in this county in the older orchards but has rarely been planted 

 in the younger ones. Some growers claim there are two strains of the variety, one of 

 which is designated as Red Cannon, the other Green Cannon. It is probable that these 

 distinctions are only local with no constant differences between them. The tree at- 

 tains large size and great age, frequently being found in good bearing condition at 

 135 



