168 THE STRAWBERRY IN NORTH AMERICA 



The first berries to ripen usually are more irregular than 

 later ones. The surface should be smooth ; seams, fur- 

 rows and ridges make the berries 

 less attractive, and more subject 

 to bruising. A slight neck is 

 an advantage, as it facilitates 

 hulling, but it should be very 

 short. Varieties with pro- 

 nounced neck, like the old Crim- 

 son Cone, cannot be shipped a 

 long distance. 



Calyx. — A large calyx is a 

 disadvantage in long distance 

 shipping, especially if it is re- 

 curved. When first picked, these berries lie quite loosely 

 in the baskets, but they soon settle and unless the 

 baskets are heaped, they do not reach the markets full 

 enough. The Glendale had a very large, recurved calyx ; 

 O. B. Galusha claimed that only a pint could be put in 

 a quart box. Possibly some would consider this an 

 advantage, if the berries are to be grown for local markets. 

 A green cah^x makes a pleasing contrast with red berries. 

 Brandywine has a large calyx but it wilts and turns yel- 

 low a few hours after picking. A small calyx which keeps 

 bright green for several days after picking is preferable. 



The calyx should be only moderately adhesive ; varieties 

 that are difficult to cap are not favorites with the house- 

 wife. Years ago strawberries were sold "hulls off." 

 The desire to reduce the labor of capping led to the in- 

 troduction of the Mt. Vernon or Shuckless, which left the 

 cores as well as the hulls on the vines when picked. This 

 met with little favor, as the hulled berries did not carry 

 well or keep well. The development of the canning 



Fig. 18. — Banana, introduced 

 in 1870. The long neck would 

 be considered undesirable today. 



