JERSEYBELLE 



for Highest Prices 



A product of the New Jersey Station, Jerseybelle is one of the few varieties that 

 gained a reputation on the markets as a seedling number. For several years it was 

 known only as 7A but was so outstanding in quality and beauty on the New York 

 market that it was quoted separately during berry season. 



In these days when the emphasis in growing strawberries is on quality, beauty 

 and size it may be that Jerseybelle will become widely popular. Although a few 

 virus free plants have been found it will be at least two more years before completely 

 virus free stocks will be available in commercial quantities. The plant, however, 

 makes a very vigorous growth with plenty of plants for a good fruiting bed when 

 grown under good conditions. With rich soil, possibly irrigation, and good care 

 Jerseybelle looks like a winner. 



The plants are moderately productive; the berries average very large in size, have somewhat 

 prominent light yellow seeds and a glossy skin which makes them very beautiful. (See color picture ) 



From some early reports we got the impression that Jerseybelle was an exceptionally good keeping 

 berry, but much evidence in 1957 and especially in 1958 has indicated that Jerseybelle, like most aristo- 

 crats, is somewhat tempermental. It does not keep too well when picked much ahead of shipping or 

 when shipped long distances. 



Jerseybelle is definitely not a berry for the poor grower on poor soil, but for the good grower on 

 good soils it may prove to be a gold mine if they can be picked at just the right time and handled care- 

 fully and promptly. 



Jerseybelle berries are fairly high in quality and have been satisfactory in freezing tests. However, 

 Jerseybelle is a high priced fresh market berry and should not be grown primarily for freezing. Growers 

 who pride themselves on growing fancy fruit should by all means try Jerseybelle. Even though Jersey- 

 belle is not considered a highly productive variety Long Island tests in 1958 showed a yield of 10,465 

 quarts per acre, higher than many other standard varieties in tests which included all the most popular 

 kinds. 



For good growers Jerseybelle may have a fairly wide adaptation. Testing outside of New Jersey 

 and Long Island has not yet been extensive but glowing reports are corning from a few places. It may 

 be disappointing where long distance shipment is contemplated but for nearby markets it is most promis- 

 ing. Here is what one Ohio grower, Mr. Floyd Schultz of Cuyahoga Co. wrote us about it in June of 1959: 

 "Last spring you sent me 25 Jerseybelle plants. I planted them but was not at all enthusiastic. There 

 were only 25 plants and they did not seem as strong and sturdy as the Catskill so I paid little attention 

 to them. Today was the first time I looked at them and I just about dropped over from the shock. They 

 were the largest, most beautiful, well developed berries I ever saw with a better flavor than either Cat- 

 skill or Pocahontas. I never saw such beautiful berries. They make you forget the Catskill and Pocahon- 

 tas." 



We think Jerseybelle may prove to be a bonanza for good growers in certain areas. They won't 

 stand distant shipping and they need the stimulus of good soil and care because virus free plants are 

 not yet available. Plant supply this year is fairly good but very short in comparison to the expected de- 

 mand. Price list page 32. 



BIG JOE 



One of the oldest varieties we have and still 

 one of the best. The virus disease which seems 

 to be weakening many of our better varieties has 

 apparently not affected Big Joe at all. It is still 

 easy to get a vigorous, strong, robust fruiting row 

 of Big Joe plants, even though no completely virus 

 free plants of Big Joe have yet been discovered. 

 The plants are moderately productive of berries 

 that average quite large in size. Berries are 

 bright red with an attractive green cap which 

 makes them very showy. Berries are fairly firm, 

 as good as Catskill, better than Premier. 



Big Joe is not as hardy as Premier and Catskill. 

 Frosty sites should be avoided, especially if 

 planted in northern states. Big Joe is a veteran 

 variety which has many friends who continue to 

 grow it. We again have a nice stock of beautiful 

 plants. Price list page 32. 



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VERMILION 



Vermilion is an introduction of the University 

 of Illinois. In addition to being a very productive 

 commercial sort Vermilion has shown a high de- 

 gree of resistance to red stele. Plant growth is 

 strong and upstanding. It makes an adequate 

 number of big, strong plants rather than great 

 numbers of small plants. Vermilion has not been 

 grown widely enough to establish its worth gen- 

 erally but in the central states of Ohio, Indiana, 

 Illinois and West Virginia, Vermilion has shown 

 great productiveness, ranking almost with Pre- 

 mier and Catskill. The berries run medium to 

 large in size, somewhat irregular in shape and 

 they ripen fairly close to the ground, causing 

 some tendency to green sides. Quality is fair to 

 good v/ith well developed berries. The fruit is 

 about as firm as Premier, color about like Temple, 

 getting fairly dark when full ripe. It ripens mid- 

 season to late and seems worth trying in com- 

 mercial areas, particularly those areas where red 

 stele is a problem. Price list page 32. 



