MICHIGAN EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS 311 



STRAAVBEKRIES. 



L. R. TAFT AND H. P. GLADDEN. 



The season of 1896 was very favorable for plant growth and most varie- 

 ties were in good condition to bear a large crop of fruit last spring. The 

 season of 1897 was two weeks later than that of the previous year, and the 

 plants which had been held back by the cold spells came into bloom very 

 quickly, and so many blossoms came out that the plants were not able to 

 produce sufficient pollen to properly fertilize all the fruits. Many staminate 

 sorts appeared almost imperfect in flower. Doubtless, the small crop 

 borne by some sorts and the great number of imperfect berries was due to 

 the excessive blossoming. The difference between the time of ripening of 

 the early and late sorts was not so great as usual. When the season 

 opened all varieties came on together. 



The table (page 312) was compiled from plants set in 1896. Each variety 

 was given forty feet of space in the row; in one-half of this distance the 

 plants were grown in hills (thirteen); in the other portion the plants were 

 allowed to form a matted row. In nearly every case the largest yield was 

 obtained from the matted rows. 



The following sorts fruited here for the first time during the past season: 



Anna Kennedy. — Received from J. T. Lovett Co., Little Silver, N. J. 

 Imperfect flower. The variety is fairly vigoroiis in plant growth, with 

 bright, healthy foliage. The berries are of good size, very regular in form 

 and they have a bright, glossy appearance that makes them attractive for 

 market. In quality it ranks high and seems to possess the necessary firm- 

 ness to hold up well. The plants retain their vigor to close of season and 

 the last fruits are of good size and form. Were the variety more product- 

 ive it would find a place as one of the better sorts for market or home use. 



Annie Laurie. — From Matthew Crawford, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Per- 

 fect flower. The plants are of low, stocky growth, and seem somewhat 

 subject to blight. The berries are usually large, round conical in form 

 and of a bright, glossy scarlet color. In quality and firmness of fruit the 

 variety ranks very high, but seems to lack the plant qualities necessary to 

 produce a large crop of berries. 



