30 ORCHARD FRUITS IN VIRGINIA AND OTHER STATES. 



especially the Blue Ridge region, is rich in local varieties and seed- 

 lings which are not being propagated in any nursery and are known 

 only in the localities where they are grown. It is probable that some 

 of these local sorts may fill an important place in the future develop- 

 ment of apple culture in these regions. Some of them have received 

 local names, but many have no particular designation. They present 

 a most promising and attractive field for investigation, but are not 

 considered, except in a few instances, in the following varietal notes. 



VARIETIES. 



Arkansas. Synonym: Mammoth Black Twig. 



This variety — more commonly mentioned by its synonym than by its leading name — 

 has been planted in but relatively few orchards. The trees are all comparatively 

 young; hence the adaptability of the variety and its value in these regions have not 

 yet been fully determined. 



The tree is a fairly vigorous grower, making a rather broad, roundish head. The 

 original tree, which is still standing and in a fairly healthy condition, though it has 

 been badly broken by storms, is said to be nearly 80 years old. While it usually begins 

 to bear more or less at 5 or 6 years of age, it has thus far proved a shy bearer in most cases 

 in these regions and not more regular in bearing than many of the heavier producing 

 sorts. The fruit is medium to large; nearly solid red when highly colored; good to 

 very good ; season, winter. The qualities of the fruit when well grown render it desira- 

 ble either for home use or for market purposes, but lack of productiveness thus far in 

 these regions renders it of doubtful value commercially. 



Though generally beginning to bear at a comparatively young age, this variety 

 appears from present indications to be less precocious at the southern extreme of these 

 regions. This characteristic has been noted especially in northeastern Georgia on 

 sandy loam soil with friable loam subsoil at an elevation of 1,400 feet. Under these 

 conditions it is said to be a better keeper than the Winesap grown under similar condi- 

 tions. Some trees located in Amherst County, Va., at an elevation of about 1,500 feet 

 and on Porters black loam with red clay subsoil bore their third full crop of fruit when 

 11 years old. Larger crops are reported in this location than elsewhere in these regions. 

 Other conditions of soil and elevation under which good fruit is produced are Porters 

 clay with elevations of 1,000 to 1,500 feet, and Cecil clay, 800 to 1,000 feet altitude. 

 Murrill clay loam and Cecil sandy loam having elevations of 1,000 feet do not seem to 

 give as good results as the other conditions mentioned. The tendency to lighter bear- 

 ing and greater susceptibility to disease is said to be more pronounced under the last- 

 named conditions. The fruit is small and the trees unproductive in the southwestern 

 part of North Carolina at an elevation of 2,500 feet or more. In Albemarle County, at 

 points of 500 feet elevation, on Cecil loam, the Arkansas apple has proved unsatisfac- 

 tory thus far, the claim being made that it lacks color and flavor. 



These deductions must be accepted merely as indications of the tendency of this 

 variety in the regions mentioned, not as definite conclusions, since, as already stated, 

 the trees are still too young for the mature characteristics of the variety to manifest 

 themselves. 

 Arkansas Black. 



But very few of the orchards in these regions contain this .variety. The only one in 



which it has been studied is located in the southwestern part of North Carolina. The 



soil in this orchard is a loose, friable, reddish loam; the elevation is from 2,600 to 2,800 



feet. Under these conditions it possesses very little to commend it for any purpose, 



135 



