Performance of Strawberry in N. H. 11 



first four pickings. Although they produced large fruit, Clermont was 

 susceptible to leaf spot and Fairfax was not dependable from the stand- 

 point of \icld because of frequent damage to the blossoms. Aberdeen 

 has been grown profitabl\' in a few areas, especially where a good berry 

 market is located near b>'. 



In 1940, fruit of Pathfinder and Townking averaged better size 

 throughout the season than that of Howard 17. The yield of Town- 

 king, however, was only about half that of Howard 17 and is not rec- 

 ommended for commercial planting. 



In 1942, many varieties under test produced larger fruit than Howard 

 17, yet defects of these varieties overbalanced the desirable size, rendering 

 them inferior commerciallx' to Ho\\ard 17. 



Good size, especialh' late in the season, is a highl}' desirable charac- 

 teristic but to be commerciall)' profitable a variety must possess a sum 

 total of other characteristics equal to, or better than Howard 17. 



Many of the varieties under test have exceeded Howard 17 in one 

 or more of the characteristics, size, \ield, and lateness of ripening; yet 

 none have surpassed Ho\\ard 17 in all characteristics. Pathfinder, alone, 

 has not fallen below Howard 17 in all characteristics. The season of 

 ripening for Pathfinder is about the same as for How^ard 17, or even 

 slightly longer. The berries of Pathfinder are slightly firmer and more 

 uniform in size than those of Howard 17, and, in some years, average 

 slightl)- better in size throughout the season. The uniformity of fruit 

 size, excellent shape, and bright glf)ss\- red color of the berries make 

 Pathfinder outstanding among the 61 varieties tested from 1935 to 1942. 



Discussion. Unfortunately, the varieties which matured their fruit 

 late possessed defects in other characteristics. This renders them in- 

 ferior to Howard 17 from a commercial point of view . Thus, Claribel, 

 Lavergne, Aleighan, and Ottawa 27-03-20 were found to be uny suscep- 

 tible to leaf spot and gave \-ields too low to warrant recc^mmending them 

 for commercial purposes. Tupper matured late, yielded well, and pro- 

 duced large, attractive berries, but these lacked flavor and were too soft 

 for a commercial berry. Ambrosia produced large berries but too few 

 of them, the _\'ield being too low for either commercial or home-growing 

 purposes. Red Star gave a yield comparable to Tupper. The berries 

 of Red Star were large, well colored, and of good flavor. This variety 

 was retained for further trial. Cresco yielded the same amount of fruit 

 as Howard 17, but was so similar to that variety in all other characteris- 

 tics that it could hardly be considered enough difi'erent to warrant its 

 introduction into Nev>- Hampshire for commercial production. Tupper, 

 Red Star, and Claribel are being used as parents in strawberry improve- 

 ment ^\■ork at this station on account of late fruit maturity. Tupper is 

 used also because of its good yield of large, attractive berries. Fairfax 

 iS used because of firm fruit of high quality, and Catskill because of 

 large, fine-flavored fruit. 



Pathfinder may offer Howard 17 some competition as a commercial 

 variety. It gave consistently high yields of very uniform, bright red 

 friut. The plants of Pathfinder have maintained high vigor and freedom 



