E. W. TOWNSEND, SaUsbury, Md. 



A Crate of MATTHEWS, The Coming Extra Early Strawberry. The Matthews is as Early 

 as it is Possible for a Strawberry to Grow and is as Large and Firm as the Gandy. 



Mathews 



Mathews (Per). — Here is a variety not 

 fruited on our Farms, but which was origin- 

 ated only a few miles away, and probably has 

 drawn more attention in the past five years 

 than any variety grown in our State. 



Mr, F. E. Mathews, of Worcester county, a 

 life-long horticulturist, was the originator. He 

 has grown it in very large quantities for the 

 past five years and up until 1916 absolutely 

 refused to sell or give away any plants. We 

 were among the lucky few to secure 6,000 

 plants last spring for propagation purposes. 



It is described as the earliest berry grown. 

 And also as being the largest extra early berry 

 grown, is claimed to be as firm as any of the 

 very best shippers such as Missionary, Klon- 

 dyke, Nic Ohmer, or Gandy. The plants be- 

 iQg large and strong, holding the fruU from 

 the ground and exceedingly productive qual- 

 ity, extremely fine in every particular and 

 claimed not only by Mr. Mathews, but by 

 many of our leading nurserymen who have 

 watched it for years as being the nearest 

 extra early berry to PERFECTION, that has 

 ever been introduced. It is claimed that Mr. 

 Mathews has grown it on all sorts of soils and 

 that it has done exceedingly well in every 

 instance. We, ourselves, believe that the 

 strawberry growers of the country are to be 

 congratulated on this grand find and predict 

 great things for the MATHEWS, and advise 

 our customers to give it a trial. We expect 



a great demand for the plants this season, and 

 will ask our customers to order early. Our 

 price will be just what we paid the originator 

 for our stock. 



(See testimonials in reference to this won- 

 derful variety.) 



Princess Anne, Md. 

 Mr. F. E. Matthews, 



My Dear Mr. Matthews — I have been visiting 

 your farm for the last three years studying the 

 new strawberry grown on your farm. I am glad 

 to know you have called the berry "Matthews" 

 for it deserves a good name. I consider this 

 strawberry the earliest and most prolific I have 

 ever seen, also of excellent size. The last time 

 I was in your patch you remember I picked about 

 four quarts without moving. This was a sight 

 for the Horticulturist and I wish every one in the 

 U. S. could have seen it. I also consider it one 

 of the best shippers, as it holds up well. 



I wish you every success with your new straw- 

 berry the "Matthews" for it has all one would 

 wish for in a berry. 



Yours truly, 



H. S. LIPPINCOTT, 

 Farm Demonstrator, Somerset County, Md. 



Hillsboro County, Fla. 

 Mr. E. W. Townsend, 



Dear Sir— I received the 3,000 plants that I 

 ordered from you in good shape aud set them 

 out in the beginning of the worst drought I have 

 ever seen and in new land. But they lived the 

 best I ever saw and are looking fine. I lost one 

 plant and one plant only. I am well pleased and 

 recommend you to others. As ever yours for 

 business, F. M. BARTLBTT. 



