186 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



eron is very promising as an early sort and Seaford and Gandy generally do well 

 as late sorts. 



Among the varieties which fruited for the first time, 190.3, the list of the prom- 

 ising sorts is much larger than has been the case in most other years. The crop 

 of many of the early varieties, however, was considerably injured by the frost while 

 the plants were in blossom. Some of the kinds with tall thick foliage and with 

 short blossom stalks which rested upon the ground showed much less injury than 

 those whose blossoms were not protected by the foliage and in sections where 

 the plants are subject to injury from this source, care should be taken to select 

 the frost resisting varieties. The frequent rains which fell in June lengthened 

 the fruiting season and the size of the berries held up well so that except in the 

 case of a few of the early kinds, the yield was above the average, notwithstanding 

 the loss from the frost. 



The soil upon which the station plot of strawberries was grown is a moderately 

 heavy sandy loam with a mixture of clay in the subsoil. It had been used for the 

 growing of vegetables for several years previous to the planting of the strawberries 

 and was brought into as good a condition as possible by the liberal use of compost 

 and wood ashes before the plants were set out. In order to make a test of all 

 the new kinds, it was necessary to procure them from a large number of growers 

 and, although some Avere received in good condition, others showed little life, 

 having been poorly packed. This resulted in a somewhat uneven standing and 

 has affected, to some extent, the productiveness of several of the varieties. 



NOTES ON NEW VARIETIES. 



Challenge — Received from M. Crawford, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Flowers per- 

 fect. The plants are low growing and give but a little protection from frost. 

 They are vigorous, but winter-killed slightly and did not form many runners; 

 fruit stems numerous and well filled with bloom, but nearly 50% of the blossoms 

 were killed by frost which lowered the rating in productiveness. The berries are 

 dark crimson, of medium size, slightly elongated, conic, or sometimes fan-shaped. 

 The pulp is bright red, slightly soft, and of medium quality. 



The variety was originated by J. R. Peck of Breckenridge, Mo. Its productive- 

 ness makes it of some value' as a second early sort, although the blossoms are 

 subject to injury by frost. 



Dakota Ironclad — Eight plants were received from J. W. Millett, Bismark, North 

 Dakota, under the name "Millett 17." 



Only a few of the plants grew, but they seem to be hardy and vigorous. The 

 foliage is rank and healthy, but the small amount of fruit developed was not 

 sufficient to properly judge the variety. 



Dewey — Received from Flansburg and Peirson, Leslie, Mich., is a seedling of 

 the Haverland crossed with Parker Earle, originated by James Nimon, of Texas, 

 the originator of the Parker Earle. Flowers perfect, vines vigorous, throwing out 

 an abundance of runners and fruit stems. The leaf stalks are long and hold up 

 the foliage so that it protects the blossoms from frost to quite an extent. 



The berries are of the Haverland type, large, long necked, bright red and firm. 

 The pulp is rather light-colored, with a pleasant acid flavor. The fruit stalks are 

 slender, and the berries loosen from it very easily. It is an attractive berry and 

 of some promise. 



Dollar, Jr. — Received from J. T. Lovett, Little Silver, N. J. A seedling of the 

 old variety, Dollar, introduced by O. P. Felton of New Jersey. The plants were 

 in sudi poor condition when received that they made a weak growth and did not 

 develop any fruit. 



Elba — From Flansburg and Peirson, Leslie, Mich. A very hardy, strong-growing 

 variety. Flowers perfect. The leaves are large and coarse. The fruit stems were 

 numerous and well loaded, showing very little injury from frost. Runners abun- 

 dant. The berries are regular, slightly elongated, conic, but rather small; color, 

 bright crimson. A promising extra early variety. 



Globe— Received from Mathew Crawford, Cuyahoga Falls, but originated by 

 Eugene Sutherland, N. Y. Flowers perfect. The vines are low, hardy growers, 

 with dark glossy foliage and well-filled fruit stems. The berries are very large, 

 inclined to be a little irregular, oblong-conical, with a broad tip; color, bright red; 

 pulp, light-colored, of good texture, and with a sharp but pleasant flavor. The 

 roughness of the fruit mars the appearance somewhat, but its size makes it a 

 promising variety. 



