EMPIRE 



'* Empire berries are grand. They are so pretty, so good to eat and make 

 beautiful preserves." A small plot of Empire in back of our office in May and June, 

 1952, had close attention from our office force, and the quotation above is from one 

 of them. Empire originated at the Geneva Experiment Station, the result of a cross 

 between Dresden and Sparkle. Dr. George L. Slate, the originator, announced its 

 release for introduction to the strawberry trade in September, 1980. We have seen 

 Empire fruiting for several years and have formed a very high opinion of the 

 variety- On its record to date Empire is better than Premier in five important ways : 



i. 

 2. 

 3. 

 4. 



5. 



Empire is a more vigorous grower than Premier 

 The berries are much better in quality than Premier. 

 The average size of Empire is larger than Premier. 

 Empire berries are much more attractive and should 

 command a higher price than Premier grown under 

 similar conditions. 



The berries are fully as firm as Premier with a tougher 

 skin which makes them hold and ship better. 



It would be hard to believe in looking at the heavily loaded 

 beds of Empire both in Maryland and New York states, but 

 Empire is not considered as productive as Premier. In very dry 

 seasons, when Premier tends to run down m size due to the tre- 

 mendous crop, Empire very likely would yield just as many quarts 

 of marketable berries as Premier and better berries for any dis- 

 cerning market. Another thing, even though Empire has had a 

 crop every year sii\ce its introduction it prdsably is not equal to 

 Premier in frost resistance. Empire ripens a few days later than 

 Premier. Empire is one of the best berries to 

 try wherever Premier is proving unsatisfac- 

 tory. Even where Premier does well Empire 

 will fill the need for a larger, fancier berry, 

 more attractive in appearance and better in 

 quality. 



In the U. S. D. A. trials at Beltoville, Mary- 

 land, in 1952, Empire was one of the best. 

 Here are notes taken by a member of our 

 firm one day during the height of the fruiting 

 season: Empire — vigorous, beautiful, high 

 ■quality, very productive. Color bright red 

 clear through — good for processing; holds 

 fairly bright color even whcin fully ripe. Long 

 stems — easy to cap; neck enough to avoid 

 digging into the flesh when capping. Shape, 

 long conic with rounded rather than pointed 

 tips. Ripens evenly. Quality definitely better 

 than Premier. Productiveness looks equal to 

 Premier. Ripening season more second early 

 than very early. 



We have a good stock of beautiful Empire 

 plants. Price list page 31. 



SENATOR DUNLAP 



A fine old variety that has been grown in the middle and 

 northern states for many years. It is an extremely vigorous 



grower, making lots of plants which are very productive, 

 erries are medium in size, a bright rich red clear throuah 

 and of good quality. One of the best for canning. The 

 hardiness of the Dunlap plants makes the variety a favorite 

 where the cold winters injure the weaker kinds. Canada, 

 Maine, Iowa and Minnesota are among the places where 

 Dunlap is appreciated. We have lots of good Dunlap plants. 

 Price list page 31. 



superb new berry 



