The Delta independent., 1909-08-27
Comne, cial Apples for the
Western Slope of Colorado.


longer or more experience in rasing
fruit than the writer, but that fact
does not signify that he knows any
more or is any better posted than many
others who are now engaged in the
business. When we come 10 naming
the best varieties of apples for com
mercial use we may agree on two or
three varieties. while others have tied
other kinds that have given entire
satisfaction and are yearly growing in
favor.
In the first planting of orchards, p
years ago. we tried something like 100
kinds of apples. not knowing whether
any or all of them would grow and bear
fruit. or what kinds would be salable or
fit for use or to market. They all grew
and began to bear heavy crops. We had
all kinds of summer. fall and winter va
rieties. Some 10 or 20 worthless
varieties of hardy Russian apples that
the INSCRIPTIONS tree agents from the
East had sold US at els per dozen. tell
ing US that nothing but the very
hardest kinds would ever succeed in
the vigorous climate of Colorado. We
began at once to top work or graft
over. until at present most of these old
orchards are now producing good COM
mercial apples Of few varieties.
There is some difference Of opinion
yet what are the most profitable kinds
to raise. but nearly all agree upon three
or four that are planted quite extern
sively. to-wit: Jonathan. Winesap.
Rome Beauty and Grimes Golden.
There is no business that remains at
standstill. 1t is either improving or
retrograding. and the fruit business is
no exception to the rule. and we are
glad to report that great strides have
been and are being made in our line.
There are a number of new varieties
that have been introduced in the past
few years by enterprising nurserymen
that give promise of n great future.
Among them are King David, Delicious
and Black Ben Davis. Then there is
the Gano. introduced by a man in
southwest Missouri. A controversy has
Uttn ROlilk oil ioi tfitt VI Apoi Ntai
whether the Gano and Black Ben LAWS
were non identical. A great difference
of opinion still exists, and for one am
not prepared to give an opinion. as |
am not familiar with both kinds grow
ing side by side in the same kind of
or two will have both in bearing and
will note carefully the difference. IL
any.
Another apple of which will speak
is the Winter Banana, which has proved
so far as tried to be one one of great
value. This. l think, originated in
Michigan. Being rather partial to old
friends and slow to discard them for
new ones, / have been sticking 10 old,
well-tried varieties like those named
above. and at the same time procuring
scions and grating some Of the more
promising kinds in a limited way to
satisfy myself. Among these the
Delicious, King David, Gano or Black
Ben Davis, or both Gf there is any
difference), Winter Banana and one
other introduced by Jasper Hall, the
pioneer fruit grower Of Montesuma
County. In Colorado, some 20 or more
wears ago, the scions of which he
brought from Tennessee and was
known there under the peculiar name of
Tunderbolt. My attention was called
to this apple some eight or ten years ago
by Mr.. Hall. and after seeing it bear
and noticing the dark maroon red color
in the shade, as well as when exposed
to the sun, bought 100 boxes and put
them in cold storage in Denver to test
their keeping, selling and other qualities