10 



EMPIRE 



Better than Premier in many ways 



Empire (Dresden x Sparkle) is considered by many fine strawberry growers to be a 

 better berry than Premier. It certainly is here in Maryland. One outstanding New York 

 grov/er, who grew both Empire and Premier, would never admit that Empire was better 

 than Premier, but in the last two years he has dropped Premier but still grows Empire. 



Here is how Empire and Premier compare as we have known them for several years: 

 Quality — Empire much better than Premier. 

 Size — Empire berries overage larger than Premier. 



Appearance — Empire berries are m.uch more attractive than Premier and will bring a higher price on any 

 market where quality and appearance are im.portani. (See colored picture on front cover.) 

 Firmness — Empire berries are firmer than Premier with a tougher skin which makes them hold and ship 

 better. 



Growth — Even though indexed virus free Empire stocks are not yet available our Empire has grown just as 

 well as our virus free Premier. Both have made splendid rows. 



Productiveness — About equal to Premier. If all the small late berries are counted Premier may yield more. 

 Frost resistance — Premier has a proven record of over 40 years. Empire has been a consistent bearer since 

 its introduction in 1950. 



Grower reaction to Empire has ranged from good to enthusiastic. Fine reports about its growth and yield 

 have come from Virginia, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North 

 Carolina and other states. Here are excerpts from three of the letters: 



3H quarts from 90 plants 



New York, Dutchess Co., July 20, 1955. "In the 

 spring of 1954 I set out 90 plants of Empire and 

 Catskill, about 45 plants of each. Set 4 by 2 Ft. 

 This season I picked 344 quarts of berries. It was 



very dry and with enough moisture I think I would 

 have had 100 quarts more. I like Empire the best; 

 even when they get smaller they ore still very 

 attractive." E. B. UNDERHILL. 



Empire better than Premier 



Pennsylvania, Butler Co., Feb. 4, 1955. "Last year 

 I planted 1,000 Empire plants from your stock and 

 was very much surprised at the growth in one 



season. I must say they beat the Premier in every 

 way." A. W. SIEMAN. 



Beyond all expectations 



Virginia, King George Co., Jan. 23, 1955. "In the 

 early spring of 1953 I put out 100 Empire plants 

 from your nursery. The performance of those plants 

 was beyond all expectations. The berries which 

 we harvested last spring were very large and very 

 beautiful, and the size was m.aintained right up to 

 the last picking. Equally im.portant for us is the 

 fact that these Empire berries have furnished us 

 with an excellent frozen product." J. E. BARKER. 

 Empire territory seems to be from Virginia to 



MISSIONARY 



For years Missionary has been the leading 

 berry in Florida, and popular in other southern 



states. In Florida it is now sharing honors with 

 the new Florida 90. Missionary will do well on 

 almost all soils, but will do better than most on 

 lighter soil types. The berries ripen early, are 

 medium in size, dark red in color, rather tart quality 

 and attractive in appearance. It is a very good 

 shipper, and is also a favorite vnth the "cold pack" 

 or "juice" men. Virus free stocks now used ore 

 emphasizing the good qualities of Missionary. Price 

 list page 32. 



KLONDYKE 



A solid southern shipping berry which until 

 Blakemore appeared ■ was grown on more acres 

 than any other variety. Still widely grown, but 

 has been replaced in many sections by Blakemore 

 and Klonmore. Berries are firm,, light, ripen evenly, 

 good for processing. We have no special selling 



New York and similar latitudes. It ripens medium- 

 early, three or four days after Premier. Except pos- 

 sibly for a processor market where total volume of 

 berries rather than quality is the important factor, 

 we would prefer Empire. 



The berries ore large, light in color and very 

 attractive. Empire has already made many friends 

 and as soon as its good qualities are fully ap- 

 preciated we believe it will make many more. 

 Price list page 32. 



talk on Klondyke but for those who know it and 

 like it we hove some strong, vigorous, robust plants 

 grown from virus free stocks. Perhaps with this 

 stock you can grow Klondyke profitably as was 

 done in the "good old days." Price list page 32. 



FLORIDA 90 



A fine new strawberry, originated by Dr. A. N. 

 Brooks in Florida, and grown almost exclusively in 

 that state. Florida 90 berries are more productive 

 and produces larger, juicier, better colored berries 

 than Missionary. The berries are red all the way 

 through. Florida 90 has already token over half 

 the strawberry acreage in Florida and this per- 

 cenioge is expected to increase. Florida 90 berries 

 are large, long and pointed. They ship very well 

 and have been very well received on northern 

 markets. Although virus free stocks of Florida 90 

 hove not yet becom.e available in quantity our 

 Florida 90 have made a tremendous growth and 

 sample plants taken from our beds have been 

 tested and found to be virus free. Price list page 32. 



