strawberry Plants of Qv.alitii 



FAIRFAX 



THE QUALITY STRAWBERRY 



(For Illustratilon sec front cover page) 



p^lJ^p^^X "Was originated by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A. No. 

 613) and is probably a cross of Royal Sovereign X Howard 17 (Premier) 

 niadc in 1923 and is a selection of these seedlings in 1925 and showed such outstanding char- 

 acteristics that it was introduced by the Department in spring 1933. 



I saw Fairfax and Dorsett fruiting in a trial plot in spring 1933 and altho they had been 

 picked four (4) times the vines were full of fruit and the berries then would average larger 

 than Premier at the beginning of the season. There were not just a few large berries and the 

 rest small but they run large to the end of the season. The Department's circular states that 

 under favorable conditions that both the early and later ripening berries of Fairfax become very 

 large. But the thing that impressed me most was the flavor; both Fairfax and Dorsett are out- 

 standing in this respect being diflPerent from other strawberries and conceded by almost every- 

 one that has eaten them to be better flavord than the best we have had heretofore. I ate first 

 one then the other and finally decided that Fairfax was the better flavored of the two but some 

 think Dorsett the best flavored but, anyway, you can close your eyes and choose either one 

 and know you have the best flavor in the strawberry line. 



The plants of Fairfax are vigorous growers and while will not make quite as many plants 

 as Dorsett generally produces more runners than Premier and the healthful dark green foliage 

 seems to radiate vigor and like Premier, Blakemore and Bellmar they remain healthy clear thru 

 to the end of the fruiting season. They are very productive, the vines being loaded with fruit 

 that ripens about same season as Premier, and the berries as stated above are very large in 

 size and under favorable conditions remain large to the end of the season and will probably 

 average larger than Dorsett. The berries are conical in shape and very regular being most 

 uniform of any variety. The color is a bright red when first picked but soon turns dark and 

 then very dark red. This is the only drawback Fairfax seems to have to keep it from be- 

 coming the leading variety, this tendency to ttrn dark but the berries however maintain their 

 firmness and flavor even after they turn very dark red; in fact Fairfax is one of our firmest 

 varieties and will stand shipping long disances as well or better than Blakemore, Chesapeake, 

 Bellmar, Gandy or Lupton. The Department's circular states that Fairfax is much firmer 

 than the present commercial varieties grow^n in the east. 



If you have a market where size, quality and firmness pays a premium and where color 

 is no objection you need ro no farther, Fairfax will fill these to a "T" and will bring lots of re- 

 peat orders. All in all I believe Fairfax should be tested in every home and commercial 

 planting. Be sure to try it this year as I know you will be more than satisfied with the 

 quality. 



R pf ^f ^ ]\^ \ R Was originated by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, being se- 



lected from more than 55,000 seedlings and like Blakemore is a 

 scientific cross of Premier (Howard 17) and Missionary and is recommended for trial where 

 Premier is adapted for general market which is just about everywhere. 



Bellmar as compared with Premier is a more vigorous grower and produces more runners 

 making a fruiting bed on poor soil and on good ground will probably need thinning. The 

 season of ripening is about same as Premier and the berries resemble Premier and on good 

 ground are as large, firmer and of better quality. The large handsome green cap gives the 

 berries a striking appearance and the cap or hull parts easily from the berry making them easy 

 to prepare for eating or cooking. The fruit if kept well picked up is of a bright red color but 

 soon turns dark, having the appearance of being over-ripe but still remains firm and solid for 

 several days and will arrive in distant markets in good shape, being almost as good a shipper 

 as Blakemore and is equally good for home use or local market. The foliage of Bellmar is 

 of the healthiest and like Blakemore and Premier remains healthy until the fruiting season is 

 entirely over. Bellmar, were it not for its tendency to turn dark, would soon become one of 

 the leading varieties; but even so I believe it has a place to fill and will be widely grown when 

 better known especially where berries have to be shipped long distances and would advise giving 

 it a thorough trial as with its health and vitality may produce some surprising results. 



Bartholomew Co.. April 15th, 1933 

 Dear Sir: 



Received my 1000 Premier strawberry plants today and they arrived in fine shape. 



J. R. Rees, Director of Voc. Agriculture 



