File:Allen's book of berries for 1936 (1936) (17330679023).jpg

Title: Allen's book of berries for 1936
Identifier: allensbookofberr19alle_20 (find matches)
Year: 1936 (1930s)
Authors: Allen Co. (Salisbury, Md. ); Henry G. Gilbert Nursery and Seed Trade Catalog Collection
Subjects: Nurseries (Horticulture) Maryland Salisbury Catalogs; Nursery stock Maryland Salisbury Catalogs; Strawberries Maryland Salisbury Catalogs
Publisher: Salisbury, Md. : Allen Co.
Contributing Library: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library
Digitizing Sponsor: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library

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Many Dorsett Berries Measure Two Inches or More Across Perfect Blossoms Both Dorsett and Fairfax have perfect blos- soms so do not require other varieties for cross- pollenation. Fairfax and Premier both have somewhat larger blossoms and somewhat more fertile pollen than Dorsett. This fact makes it especially important to keep Dorsett plants fairly thin in the row as a very thick bed makes con- ditions unfavorable for complete setting- of the berries. Season of Ripening As with other fruits, varieties of strawberries vary with soil and other conditions as to com- parative ripening date. The average of several years, however, seems to indicate that Dorsett ripens with Premier or perhaps one or two days later, while Fairfax on the average is four or five days later than Premier. Reports indicate that these differences are greater farther north and less farther south than Maryland. .fB oize or Derries Dorsett and Fairfax berries average very large in size, considerably larger than Premier or Blakemore. They are fully as large as that aristocrat of all late berries, the Chesapeake. In fact, Fairfax resembles Chesapeake very much in size and appearance, except that it seems to be even more highly polished. We hope you will read on page 20 comments on size of berries as reported by growers of Fairfax and Dorsett in several states. Fi rmness or Derries fB, Fairfax and Dorsett berries are both very firm, Fairfax being somewhat the firmer of the two. Blakemore is considered very valuable as a long distance southern shipping berry largely because of its unusual firmness. As compared with Blake- more, Fairfax is slightly more firm and Dorsett slightly less firm. Both of them are much firmer than Premier and are suitable for shipping ber- ries as well as for local market and home use. Furthermore, they are firm enough to stand up better than most other varieties where lack of sufficient labor makes it impossible to keep the berries picked closely, and where they are sub- jected to very wet conditions due to frequent rains. Color of Fruit Dorsett berries at the proper picking stage are medium light in color and retain their lightness to a very high degree even after they begin to get quite ripe. However, they are not as light as Blakemore or Aberdeen. Fairfax berries at the proper picking stage are a beautiful rich red, but become quite dark after they get riper, and almost purple for several days before they decay. 1934 and 1935 experiences in many places showed Fairfax outselling Dorsett. Buyers soon learned that the dark color does not mean decay. At the stage when Premier and varieties of similar firm- ness start to decay, Fairfax merely turns darker for several more days. App earance Both Fairfax and Dorsett are beautiful, showy berries. Dorsett will attract some more on ac- count of its lighter color, but Fairfax has promi- nent yellow seeds and a shiny, almost polished skin which makes it very rich looking. Both Fairfax and Dorsett look well in the package and would bring top prices on the markets on showi- ness alone. Quality Almost unanimous among those who have eaten them is the opinion that Dorsett and Fair- fax far outrank all other berries in dessert qual- ity. This is one point about which there is prac- tically no argument or difference of opinion. A taste of a few well-grown berries of either Dor- sett or Fairfax will convince the skeptics. "When Dorsett and Fairfax have replaced many of the lower quality berries we are convinced that the consumption of strawberries will increase. Our Philadelphia commission merchant who sold sev- eral thousand quarts of Dorsett and Fairfax for us this season told us that he personally had eaten more strawberries this year than in any other year, and that many of his customers were enthusiastic about them because they sold out so readily and buyers came back to ask for them by name on account of the high flavor. Dorsett or Fairfax—Which? Both of them are well worth growing. Com- mercial growers as well as home gardeners should try both. One may do better than the other on account of adaptability, color of the berries, or some other factor. We have given honest information about them to the best of our ability. We are quoting for you actual experi- ences from a great many growers in different states. Whether ordering either or both we do not feel that you will make any mistake. As a berry grower, the worst mistake would be to pass them by without a thorough trial. Price list, page 33. 17

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