176 THE STRAWBERRY IN NORTH AMERICA 



flesh character, flavor, plant-making habits, season and sex 

 frequently are modified . Moreover, the differences between 

 varieties are so slight that the most detailed description 

 would not enable a novice to identify them. Only the man 

 who has grown many sorts, and has come to know them 

 by personal contact, can distinguish them. However, it 

 is desirable to have complete descriptions of varieties as a 

 matter of record and as an aid in determining synonyms. 



Form for describing varieties. — Until quite recently, 

 there have been few full descriptions. Most of the early 

 varieties were described in a fragmentary fashion, without 

 including the historical data on origin, parentage and in- 

 troduction that are essential in a permanent record. Prac- 

 tically all of the early records were merely horticultural 

 descriptions — a brief statement of the points that are 

 of interest to the practical grower, as affecting the value 

 of the variety for commercial culture, such as size, color, 

 firmness, season. These descriptions do not enable one 

 to distinguish the variety from all others. It is necessary 

 to have anatomical descriptions, also ; these record minute 

 details of structure and appearance, such as would be of 

 little interest to the practical grower but which enable 

 the pomologist to distinguish between varieties that are 

 very similar in general appearance. These descriptions 

 should be based on botanical characters and should ap- 

 proach botanical descriptions in conciseness and clearness. 



There is no generally accepted form for a full anatomical 

 description, but data on the following points should be 

 included : 



Plant 



Constitution. — Vigor ; hardiness ; drought resistance ; 

 resistance to disease ; productiveness. 



