28 APPLES AND PEACHES IN THE OZARK REGION. 



Nearly 40 years ago Mr. H. Highfill obtained scions of it from Mr. Young for propaga- 

 tion under the name Lady Pippin. From Mr. Highfill's nursery it was distributed 

 more or less in northwestern Arkansas, though it does not appear to have attracted 

 much attention for a considerable period. Some years after it was first propagated, 

 trees of it which had come from the Highfill nursery were found on a place owned 

 by a Mr. Beach. Because of this association, some one named it "Beach, " either not 

 knowing that it already bore another name or else in disregard of that fact. More 

 recently it was renamed Apple of Commerce. 



As the name first given to this variety does not conform to the code of nomenclature 

 of the American Pomological Society, which is quite generally recognized by Ameri- 

 can pomologists in naming varieties, "Beach" becomes the approved name. 



This variety is found in many orchards in northwestern Arkansas, but it is of second- 

 ary importance. It is not often found in other sections of the Ozark region. It has 

 been widely advertised in recent years under the synonym Apple of Commerce. 



The tree grows well and is considered a heavy bearer, but the fruit, though attractive 

 in appearance, has several faulty characteristics. It is rather small, as a rule, and 

 considerably subject to a soft rot and also to bitter-rot. The dessert quality is rather 

 poor. Its chief points of merit are its lateness in reaching maturity for harvesting and 

 its long-keeping qualities. 

 Baldwin. 



Though this variety is the leading commercial winter sort in the northern apple 

 districts from New England westward to Michigan, it is entirely out of its geographical 

 range of adaptability in the Ozark region. It ripens or drops in August or early in 

 September, has a soft texture, and is undesirable in nearly every particular. Fortu- 

 nately, it is found in only a few orchards. 

 Ben Davis. 



Based on the relative number of trees in the Ozark orchards, the Ben Davis apple 

 is by far the most important variety which is grown in the Ozark region. Probably 

 from 50 to 75 per cent of the entire number of trees in the commercial orchards consist 

 of this variety. This statement, however, does not necessarily indicate its relative 

 value. In fact, there is such diversity of opinion in regard to its actual merits, and 

 considered broadly in its relation to the whole apple industry, the matter is so far- 

 reaching that it is difficult to define the position which it actually holds. Its real 

 position may not be the one commonly ascribed to it. 



On the one hand, one grower claims that the Ben Davis is the most profitable i r ariety 

 that he can plant, not because of the high prices for which it sells, but because of the 

 relatively large quantity of fruit which the trees bear — or which he expects them to 

 bear. On the other hand, another grower could not be induced to plant this variety 

 on account of its poor dessert quality and his jealous regard for the reputation for high 

 quality of his fruit on the market. 



These two positions represent the two extremes which growers commonly take 

 regarding this variety. It is quite probable that some intermediate position represents 

 more accurately its real value in this region. That there is a place for this variety 

 and others of its group can hardly be denied, though its place should be more clearly 

 defined than at present. 



As to the adaptability of this variety to the conditions in the Ozarks, there can be 

 no question concerning its fitness, since in seasons which are favorable to the develop- 

 ment of any variety, this one usually reaches a high degree of perfection. During the 

 unusual climatic conditions of the past few years, however, other varieties, especially 

 Jonathan, have borne as regularly. 



The rather extravagant claims which are sometimes made regarding the high dessert 

 quality which the Ben Davis develops in this region can not be generally accepted 

 aside from the fact that in texture, juiciness, and in other particulars the fruit from 

 275 



