PROMISING NEW FRUITS. 269 



CHESAPEAKE STRAWBERRY. 



[PLATE V.] 

 EARLY HISTORY. 



The Chesapeake strawberry originated as a chance seedling of un- 

 known parentage with Mr. George W. Parks, of Nanticoke, Wicom- 

 ico County, Md. The site of its origin was on Nanticoke Point, 

 within a short distance of Chesapeake Bay; hence its name, which 

 was selected by the introducer and first published in 1906, when the 

 variety was originally offered to the trade. 1 



The plants are vigorous, with thick, leathery, healthy foliage, 

 which is borne on upright leafstalks. The plant is not prolific of 

 runners, but under most conditions enough so for fruiting purposes. 

 The blossoms are perfect; the flower trusses rather short but erect. 

 It sets only a moderate quantity of fruit, but the tendency for every 

 berry that forms to develop into a perfect specimen is exceptionally 

 strong. No marked soil preferences are thus far indicated, as it 

 appears to do well on nearly all types that are suitable for the grow- 

 ing of the well-known varieties of strawberries. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Form roundish conic, often with wedge-shaped apex; size quite 

 uniformly large; stem 1^ to 3 inches long, rather stout; calyx dark 

 green, of medium size ; sepals 10 to 16, rather closely adherent ; apex 

 regular, usually ripening uniformly; surface glossy; color rich 

 crimson, durable ; seeds regularly placed, numerous, medium to large, 

 rather conspicuous, projecting slightly above the surface; flesh light 

 red or crimson: texture meaty, tender, but firm; usually solid, but 

 sometimes showing slight cavities in the center, juicy; shipping 

 quality excellent; flavor rich, subacid, nearly sweet; aroma very 

 pleasant; quality very good. Season late, beginning to ripen three 

 or four days in advance of Gandy, which for many years has been 

 very widely planted as the leading late commercial variety in the 

 Middle Atlantic States. 



The Chesapeake strawberry has been planted in many sections 

 since it was introduced, and apparently with quite uniformly satis- 

 factory results. It appears to be one of the most valuable of the 

 newer varieties. 



The specimens illustrated in Plate V were grown by Mr. C. P. 

 Close. College Park, Prince Georges County, Md,, in 1912. 



1 Letter from Mr. W. F. Allen, June, 1912. 



