THE PKOBLEM OF VARIETIES. 31 



of productivity is indicated, some trees producing heavy crops and others bearing 

 very lightly. The fruit is frequently borne in large clusters. When this occurs 

 many specimens are small and inferior. Though this variety has thus far been dis- 

 appointing to some of the growers, where conditions are favorable the fruit develops 

 to a good size, is attractive in appearance, and "good to very good " in dessert quality. 

 It is usually harvested about with the Ben Davis- and is said to keep well in cold 

 storage . 



In one orchard in 1908, in which the fruit of nearly all varieties was destroyed by 

 severe climatic conditions in the spring, this sort was one of the few that produced a 

 partial crop of fruit. 



Where the soil is sufficiently rich and the orchard properly managed, other con- 

 ditions being favorable, this variety can probably be made of much greater value in 

 the Ozark region than it has been thus far in most cases. 



Coffelt. 



This variety originated with Mr. VVyatt Coffelt in Benton County, Ark. It has been 

 propagated to some extent, though it has never been extensively planted in this region 

 and apparently is not much esteemed by those who are acquainted with it. In a few 

 instances it has been profitable, but as a rule it is of comparatively little importance. 

 Though of fairly good dessert quality and a good keeper, it is only medium in size und 

 rather dull in color. There is nothing special to commend it for planting, especially 

 as more desirable sorts are available. 

 Collins. Synonyms: Collins' s Red, Champion. Red, Champion. 



The original tree of this variety is doubtless a chance seedling and stands in a held 

 5 or 6 miles north or northwest of Lincoln, Washington Co., Ark., on a farm 

 owned (in 1906' by Mr. Samuel Holt. In 1867. Mr. G. W. Collins, of Lincoln, who 

 later became much interested in varieties of local origin, sowed wheat in this field. It 

 was then a small scrubby tree perhaps H or 2 inches in diameter. This tree, as it 

 appeared in August. 1906. is shown in Plate IV . figure 1. A 12-year-old Collins tree 

 ifl illustrated in figure 2 of the same plate. It has been piopagated commercially 

 since about 1886; is planted to a considerable extent in northwestern Arkansas, but 

 not generally grown in other sections of the Ozark region. 



The tree is not a particularly vigorous grower, but is usually healthy. It begins 

 fruiting quite young in northwestern Arkansas and is one of the most regular and 

 abundant bearers among commercial varieties. 



The fruit is usually not above medium size: but if the trees are not overloaded it is 

 quite uniform and less subject to the common fungous diseases than most varieties. 

 Under favorable conditions it colors highly and keeps well. Its greatest fault is its 

 poor dessert quality. Otherwise, it appears to have much merit for extensive planting 

 in this region. 

 Etris. 



The tree to which the name Etris was first applied stood in the orchard of Mr. A. K. 

 Etris. 5 miles east of Bentonville. Ark. It was obtained about 1873 or 1874 from the 

 Brathwait nursery, located near Bentonville. While it has been claimed that this 

 tree was a seedling, the statement, if true, that another buyer l obtained trees of the 

 same variety from the nursery at the same time Mr. Etris obtained his tree, indicates 

 that the one which first received the name Etris could not itself have been a seedling. 

 In tree and fruit charactexistics Etris so closely resembles Gano as to suggest a very 

 strong probability of the two sorts being identical. 



A few orchards in this region, mostly located in northwestern Arkansas, contain the 

 variety under this name, but its distribution has been quite limited. - 



1 Stinson, J. T. Preliminary Report on Arkansas Seedling Apples. Bulletin 49. Arkansas Agricultural 

 Experiment Station, 1898, p. 11. 



2 See under " Gano" for a further discussion of varieties of this type. 



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