30 APPLES AND PEACHES IN THE OZARK REGION. 



ultimately work injury to the enterprise which it represents, however important the 

 enterprise may be. 



The Ben Davis apple has repeatedly been placed upon the market in large quanti- 

 ties. At times in many markets scarcely any other sort is to be had in quantity. Its 

 attractive appearance, however, which is widely recognized as the thing which sells 

 it, does not conceal its quality from the purchaser at the time of consumption. He 

 may not know that his last purchase of apples was of the Ben Davis variety, for he does 

 not know varieties; he knows only "red apples, " or "yellow apples, " or apples pos- 

 sessing some other general characteristic. But he has had these "red" apples often 

 enough to convince himself that he cares very little for apples and is indifferent, at 

 least, as to whether he renews his supply. In a great number of instances, this variety 

 doubtless largely establishes in the mind of the consumer his conception of what 

 apples in general are, and his likes and dislikes, or his indifference, as the case may be, 

 are measured thereby. If by chance he buys from his grocer a supply of some variety 

 of high quality, his impulse is to secure more at once before they are all sold. High 

 dessert quality thus creates a demand for more. At the present time increased con- 

 sumption of fruit by every legitimate means is one of the most important things for 

 the grower to keep in mind. 



The ultimate test of a variety is the attitude of the consumer in regard to it, the 

 prices he can be induced to pay for it after its merits become known, and the demand 

 which it creates. 



The "Ben Davis question," however, is important because of the extent to which 

 the variety is grown. In the future development of apple culture in this region this 

 variety as well as the others of its group will probably have a much less important 

 place than it has had up to the present time. 



If this course of reasoning is sound, the true position of the Ben Davis variety in 

 relation to the apple industry is apparent and calls for no further argument in the 

 present connection. The grower when reserving a supply of apples for his own use, if 

 he has a general collection of varieties, rarely retains this sort unless it be for use after 

 his other varieties of better dessert or culinary quality are gone. Why, then, should 

 the city consumer who buys his apples by the peck or half peck be expected to esteem 

 it any more highly, relatively, than the grower does? 



Many buyers discriminate against the Ben Davis. Frequently they take it only 

 because of the more desirable sorts which can be secured in the orchards in which it 

 occurs. This variety stands for a generalized type of apple culture as opposed to the 

 production of particular varieties, with a view to developing them to a high degree 

 of perfection for a special trade. 



Benoni. 



Only a few orchards in the Ozarks contain this variety; those in which it has been 

 Observed are in southwestern Missouri, where it usually reaches a high degree of per- 

 fection and is highly prized in its season. 



The fruit is small to medium in size; color yellow, washed with mixed red and 

 broken stripes of crimson; quality very good; season in southwestern Missouri, July, 

 about 10 days to 2 weeks later than Red June . 



Though but limited observation of this variety has been possible, it is considered 

 worthy of critical consideration by those who desire an early variety having the size 

 and other characteristics of this one. 



Clayton. 



This variety is quite generally distributed in this region and occurs in many orchards, 

 though it has not been so extensively planted as many other sorts. Unless the soil 

 is particularly rich and deep and the trees are given good care, they make a rather 

 poor growth and often have a stunted appearance, with strikingly light-colored foliage. 



Different trees of this variety have thus far shown considerable irregularity in bear- 

 ing, even where trees stand side by side in the same orchard. A fail' average degree 



