THE PROBLEM OF VARIETIES. 41 



of management being comparatively free from them. The habit of growth of the 

 Jonathan tree is illustrated in figure 5. 



Having some rather serious faults, Jonathan also has many strong points of merit. 

 It is productive and under good cultural conditions quite inclined to bear annual 

 crops. In numerous orchards in this region, during the past 6 or 8 seasons, it has 

 been one of the best varieties to withstand adverse climatic conditions and has fre- 

 quently borne relatively more fruit than almost any other sort. 



"While not a large apple, it is of desirable size, especially for dessert purposes, for 

 which it is particularly valuable on account of its high quality. Under favorable 

 conditions in this region, the fruit colors very highly and attains an exceptional 

 degree of perfection. It has been found doing particularly well at certain points in the 

 Ozark region south of the Arkansas River, reaching a rather unusual size. It is 

 always in good demand and brings relatively high prices on the market. Though its 

 normal season in this region is fall and early winter and it must be harvested rather 

 early — that is. during the first half of September (some gather it during the last half of 

 August) — the Ozark-grown fruit behaves well in cold storage if it is well matured when 

 picked and stored very promptly. Its market season usually lasts until about Feb- 

 ruary. 



Its value as a storage apple was very clearly demonstrated — perhaps more clearly 

 than it had ever been before — during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis 

 in 1904, where, in the Missouri fruit exhibit, one of the writers examined in August, 

 1904. specimens of this variety from cold storage which grew the previous season. 

 These specimens did not appear to have deteriorated in any marked degree. The 

 color was brilliant, the flavor excellent, and the texture crisp, firm, and juicy. 



The situation in regard to this variety is perhaps well summed up in a statement 

 made to one of the writers by one of the most widely known and extensive orchard ists 

 in the Ozark region. This statement was to the effect that had he fully known in 

 earlier years the merits possessed by this variety, half the trees he planted would 

 have been Jonathan instead of Ben Davis. 

 King David. 



This variety originated nearly 20 years ago on the farm of Mr. Ben Frost, located 

 about 3 miles south of Durham, Washington Co.. Ark. It has been widely planted 

 in many sections of the country during the past few years. It is found in the Ozarks 

 at present in only a few orchards. 



The tree is a good grower so far as observed — usually better than Jonathan, with 

 which this variety in many respects is more nearly comparable than it is with any 

 other. The fruit grown under favorable conditions is medium to large in size; color 

 yellow, washed with mixed red, a few indistinct stripes of dark crimson; flavor subacid, 

 vinous; quality good to very good. Season apparently about with Jonathan. 



While the plantings of this variety have not yet reached sufficient age to fully 

 determine its value as a commercial sort, it is considered in general as promising, 

 and if further experience substantiates present indications it will be likely to become 

 an important sort in the Ozarks in the future. The original tree is said to have come 

 into bearing young and to have made a good record for productivity for several years 

 thereafter. Its subsequent record has been subject to the influence of many unfavor- 

 able climatic conditions. 

 Kinnard. 1 Synonym*: Kinnard's Choice. 



This is a variety of the Winesap type which is of much value in some sections of the 

 South; but, judging from its behavior in the few orchards in which it has been found, it 



1 For historical information and detailed description of this variety, see Yearbook of the U. S. Department 

 of Agriculture for 1910, p. 427. 

 275 



