3^C.^LOtlet^Il^ttle©iIllcr,e.3^4ffl|k ^"ifH f'"" 1^»ant0 



hybridizer of all times) started out to do. He worked scientifically, not in a haphazard fashion — as almost 

 all other plant breeders who preceded him had done, when working with the Strawberry, He grew his 

 plants in pots under glass, isolating the different varieties, exercising extreme caution and care, and the re- 

 sults, promising from the outset, surpassed his wildest dreams. He produced thousands of unique seedlings, 

 from which he selected, after painstaking test, a number of varieties giving fruit which possess the desired 

 superlative flavor and of enormous size; upon plants of extremely strong vigorous habit, that yield prodigious 

 crops, ripening from very early until very late. 



Dr. Van Fleet is now connected with the Bureau of Plant Industry of the United States Department of 

 Agriculture. With the modesty that characterizes all his statements concerning his creations, in July last 

 wrote me as follows: "In August, 1910, I sold to you, with exclusive right to introduce, my entire stock of 

 hybrid Strawberries, raised during the years 1907-1909; as a result of intercrossing the most vigorous high 

 quality European varieties — such as Jucunda, Alfonso, Xiij and Pres. de la Devansaye — with the very best 

 native kinds, including William Belt, President, Nick Ohmer and Chesapeake. The result was the finest 

 lot of seedHng varieties probably ever produced; excelling in vigor, hardiness, productiveness and plant 

 making powers, as well as size, quality and attractiveness of berries, any I have ever tested. 



"I am convinced certain of these hybrid varieties possess high commercial value and should be intro- 

 duced." 



After a thorough test of these Hybrids, I have selected the earliest (No. 10), and the latest (No. 14), 

 to offer the public; brief descriptions of which follow: 



EARLY JERSEY GIANT— (Van Fleet Hybrid No. 10)— For description see below 



EARLY JERSEY GIANT 

 Van Fleet No. 10 



Ripens with the very earliest, with St. Louis, 

 Early Ozark, etc. Berries very large, brilliant 

 scarlet-crimson, conical with pointed tip, colors 

 all over at once, has delightful aroma and rich, 

 mild wild Strawberry flavor. Large light green 

 calyx or "burr," hence exceedingly showy and 

 attractive. Blossoms large, open rather late and 

 staminate. Plant a strong grower with large 

 leaves on . long pliant stems and a heavy yielder. 

 The Jargest and best very early variety. See illus- 

 tration above. Dozen, $1.50; 100, $10.00. 



LATE JERSEY GIANT 

 Van Fleet No. 14 



The latest of all Strawberries and the largest 

 and best late variety. It undoubtedly has blood 

 of the Gandy in it, but it is superior to that grand 

 old variety in every way — the berries being larger, 

 infinitely superior in quality, even more brilliant 



in color, more beautiful and produced in far 

 greater numbers. The berries are of immense 

 size — truly mammoth — heart shaped with broad 

 blunt apex and exceptionally uniform in shape 

 and size; surface smooth and glossy, bright flame- 

 color, which color remains unchanged until they 

 decay; texture solid and meaty — (the berries do 

 not bleed when handled as do those of other 

 varieties) — quality mild, rich and sweet with the 

 flavor and aroma of the wild berry very pro- 

 nounced. Calyx bright green and unusually large 

 — like the Gandy but larger. I regard it as the 

 most beautiful Strawberry I have ever seen. 

 Blossoms appear late, are very large, strongly 

 staminate and are held above the foliage. Plant 

 of large proportions- with large rather light green 

 leaves held upright on stiff stems. The berries 

 are produced in clusters of six to a dozen, are 

 usually held from the earth on remarkably large, 

 strong fruit stalks. The yield- is enormous — so 

 great in fact, that at the height of the season one 

 can pick ten quarts without stepping. Dozen, 

 $1.50; 100, f 10.00. 



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