King David. Size: medium. Form: round. Color: red. Quality: best. Use: both kitchen and market. Season: early autumn.

— Granville Lowther (ed.), Encyclopedia of Practical Horticulture (1914)

KING DAVID. Fig. 30. This apple is a cross between Jonathan and Arkansas Black, resembling both parents in one or more characters. The trees are equal to either in hardiness, productiveness, vigor, and health. The apples are about the size of those of Jonathan and even better colored, as beautiful as any in the orchard; for added to the deep, solid, red color are rotundity in shape and uniformity in size; these three qualities give the fruits an almost perfect appearance. The apples hang long on the tree, all the while deepening in color, but for late keeping should be picked as soon as overspread with red and before the seeds are well ripened. The flesh is firm, fine, crisp, tender, spicy, and juicy. The chief fault of the fruit is a tendency to decay at the core, especially when over-ripe. King David was found growing in a fence-row in Washington County, Arkansas, in 1893, and was introduced by Stark Brothers, Louisiana, Missouri, in 1902. Tree vigorous, healthy, hardy, productive; branches long, moderately stout. Fruit of medium size, round-oblate to oblate-conic, slightly ribbed; stem medium in length, slender; cavity moderately deep and broad, usually russeted; calyx small, closed; basin medium in depth, somewhat abrupt, furrowed; skin thin, tender, smooth; color pale greenish-yellow, almost entirely overspread with a very attractive deep, dark red, changing to scarlet; core rather large, open, abaxile, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube long, narrow, funnel-shaped; flesh distinctly yellow, firm, crisp, moderately tender, juicy, brisk subacid, spicy and aromatic; quality good to very good; November to February.

— U.P. Hedrick, Cyclopedia of Hardy Fruits (1922)

Probably a cross between Jonathan and Arkansas Black, originating in Washington County, Arkansas. One of the most beautiful apples grown, medium to large, resembling Jonathan in shape, though of better size. Color a deep, rich red with distinct markings of very dark red—a blending of the colors of Jonathan and Arkansas Black. In beauty, it is unsurpassed by any apple, and wherever placed on market has created a sensation. In quality it surpasses Jonathan, Grimes, and Spitzenburg, while the tree is hardy and strong, a vigorous grower, and a remarkably young and heavy bearer, often bearing the second year after planting. This characteristic makes it an unsurpassed filler, besides being a model permanent orchard tree. It will shortly be the favorite fancy fruit-stand apple and will command prices heretofore unheard of, as its wondrous beauty will command attention on any market, and its unparalleled excellence will make it a favorite with every one who tastes it. Keeps remarkably well, coming out of storage April 1st in perfect condition. Everything considered, we believe that within a few years King David will take the place of Jonathan with the commercial planter.

When we undertook the introduction of this great apple (we paid $1,000 for the original tree), Col. W. G. Vincenheller, Director of the Arkansas Experiment Station, and one of the foremost horticulturists in the country, who had watched the variety for a number of years, predicted that it would take the place of Jonathan as soon as orchardists began to realize its value. Col. G. B. Brackett, United States Pomologist, also felt sure we had found a valuable acquisition to the list of unusually valuable varieties, and in a recent letter to us says: "The more I learn of King David the better I am satisfied that it is one of the coming apples." Later, Col. Brackett said that King David was his ideal apple, just the right size for dessert, fancy stand and hotel trade. Wherever it fruits it is the wonder of the neighborhood, wherever exhibited it is the object of favorable comment and admiration. At the meeting of the National Apple Growers' Congress at Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1908, it was more admired and received more favorable comment than any apple on display, with the exception of Delicious. King David and Delicious are the two great market quality kings. We urge planters everywhere to plant them, for the excellence of their fruit will make the product of your orchard sell far in advance of that of the man who plants sorts of indifferent quality. NNCS

Probably a cross between Jonathan and Arkansas Black, originating in Washington County, Arkansas. One of the most beautiful apples grown, medium to large, resembling Jonathan in shape, though of better size. Color a deep, rich red with distinct markings of very dark red—a blending of the colors of Jonathan and Arkansas Black. In beauty, it is unsurpassed by any apple, and wherever placed on market has created a sensation. In quality it surpasses Jonathan, Grimes, and Spitzenburg, while the tree is hardy and strong, a vigorous grower, and a remarkably young and heavy bearer, often bearing the second year after planting. This characteristic makes it an unsurpassed filler, besides being a model permanent orchard tree. It will shortly be the favorite fancy fruit-stand apple and will command prices heretofore unheard of, as its wondrous beauty will command attention on any market, and its unparalleled excellence will make it a favorite with every one who tastes it. Keeps remarkably well, coming out of storage April 1st in perfect condition. Everything considered, we believe that within a few years King David will take the place of Jonathan with the commercial planter.

When we undertook the introduction of this great apple (we paid $1,000 for the original tree), Col. W. G. Vincenheller, Director of the Arkansas Experiment Station, and one of the foremost horticulturists in the country, who had watched the variety for a number of years, predicted that it would take the place of Jonathan as soon as orchardists began to realize its value. Col. G. B. Brackett, United States Pomologist, also felt sure we had found a valuable acquisition to the list of unusually valuable varieties, and in a recent letter to us says: "The more I learn of King David the better I am satisfied that it is one of the coming apples." Later, Col. Brackett said that King David was his ideal apple, just the right size for dessert, fancy stand and hotel trade. Wherever it fruits it is the wonder of the neighborhood, wherever exhibited it is the object of favorable comment and admiration. At the meeting of the National Apple Growers' Congress at Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1908, it was more admired and received more favorable comment than any apple on display, with the exception of Delicious. King David and Delicious are the two great market quality kings. We urge planters everywhere to plant them, for the excellence of their fruit will make the product of your orchard sell far in advance of that of the man who plants sorts of indifferent quality. NNCS

— Stark Bros. Nurseries & Orchards Co., Stark Bros. Year Book (1910) (1910)