Varieties 291 



northern points. Furthermore, each variety ripens over 

 a much longer period in the South than in the North. 

 When there is a shipping association, it is especially impor- 

 tant to grow but one or two varieties. This makes it pos- 

 sible to standardize the pack, so that sales may be made on 

 a definite basis and advertising may be more eflPective. 



When catering to a local market, a number of sorts, 

 from extra early to very late, may be profitable ; but for 

 the general market this is not likely to pay. Between 

 March and July many districts compete in the general 

 market ; each district is forced to grow varieties that 

 ripen when the market is supplied least, regardless of 

 other factors. Until about 1890, northern growers 

 found it profitable to grow early varieties for the whole- 

 sale market. Now southern berries have driven early 

 varieties from the North, except when grown for the 

 local markets. Fifteen years ago the Ozark region, espe- 

 cially northern Arkansas, grew Thompson and Michel 

 to advantage, but these were driven off the market by 

 Klondikes from farther South, and this district was forced 

 to grow a medium late variety — the Aroma. The ad- 

 vice of G. T. Turpin, of Missouri, is applicable generally : 

 "You should first find the niche in the market where 

 you can get in first. After that, determine the variety 

 for filling this niche ; then plant all of one variety." 



NOTEWORTHY VARIETIES^ 



Not more than sixty of the 1800 North American 

 varieties have attained prominence. Seventeen of the 



^ All of the 1800 varieties of North American origin are described in 

 Technical Bulletin No. 11, Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, by 

 S. W. Fletcher. 



