376 State Horticultural Society. 



Of course, environments, such as soil, climate, cultivation, etc., will 

 have an influence on different varieties, for better or for worse; and 

 varieties that do well, or are partial failures, in some sections, may act 

 the opposite in other localities. 



But if we were confined to any three commercial varieties in South- 

 ern Missouri, we would use the Texas for early, the Haverland for 

 medium and the Aroma for late. 



Nearly all growers are looking for an early berry that is produc- 

 tive, firm, of good size, and will not become small after the first two 

 or three pickings. We believe the Texas comes nearer filling these re- 

 quirements than any other early variety. This variety is of rather re- 

 cent introduction, but it has been pretty generally tested in a small way, 

 and nearly every report from Maine to New Mexico has been favorable 

 towards it. We have fruited it for five years, and like it better each 

 year. It is about two days later than Excelsior in ripening, and 

 with us has been productive of medium to large berries, firm, almost 

 round in shape, good color, and what we particularly admire in it, is 

 that the berries hold up in size to the last picking. We had other early 

 varieties that probably set a larger number of berries than Texas; but 

 the Texas, in proportion, filled a larger number of quarts of marketable 

 berries. Most all early varieties are prolific plant makers ; the Texas 

 is only a medium plant maker, but the plants are well rooted, have 

 healthy, stocky foliage, and we think it is this characteristic that causes 

 it to hold up the size of the fruit. 



For many years the Warfield was the leading mid-season variety in 

 Southern Missouri. It is a very prolific plant-maker of rather small- 

 sized plants, and if the rows are allowed to become too thick the ber- 

 ries soon run down in size. The Haverland has largely taken the place 

 of the Warfield. It is only a fair plant maker, but nearly every plant 

 is above the average in root growth and size of crown. It is very pro- 

 ductive and holds up the size of its fruit to almost the last picking. At 

 Sarcoxie berries are classed under two grades, A and B. Most gener- 

 ally after the first two or three pickings the Warfield is reduced to the 

 "B" grade, while it is only the very last one or two pickings of the 

 Haverland that will fall below the "A" grade. As a difference of 

 twenty-five per cent, is made between the two grades, you can readily 

 see that the Haverland, as a rule, is the more profitable variety. At one 

 time the Haverland was condemned by some as too soft for long-dis- 

 tance shipping, but the matter has been thoroughly tested, and if the 

 fruit is not allowed to become too ripe before picking, they will arrive 

 in as good condition on the market as most any variety. 



