ft^^^ 



A Valuable New Medium Early Berry 



Through the untiring efforts of Dr. George M. Darrow of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, 

 and his associates, to improve the strawberry varieties, we have the pleasure of introducing 

 Northstar, Fairmore, and Daybreak, three new varieties which are decidedly superior to the 

 older sorts in the areas to which they are adapted. We sincerely believe these varieties repre- 

 sent a great contribution to the welfare of berry growers in these areas. 



ADAPTABILITY — This promising second early variety was originated by the U. S. Dept. of Agri- 

 culture, and is being introduced as a second early commercial and home garden variety of high quality, 

 and above average beauty, and is recommended for trial from Virginia to Oklahoma and northward. It 

 has been promising as far north as Amherst, Mass., and Geneva, New York. 



ORIGIN— The Northstar (U. S. D. A. 1425) originated from a cross of Howard 17 and Redheart made 

 in 1928, and Avas selected as promising in 1930, has been tested rather widely since, and has shown very 

 promising. It has been outstanding in its yield of large, medium early, tart, firm berries of high qual- 

 ity, and as it makes a thin matted row, it is easier to raise fancy berries of this sort than of some other 

 varieties, as the plants are usually well spaced. 



GROWTH — The plants and leaves are above average in size. The leaves are large and free from 

 spot and scorch in Maryland. The plants are productive of large berries, and the floAvers contain an 

 abundance of pollen and usually set well. Befng well protected by the leaves, they are not readily 

 frosted. Because of its limited plant production and protected flowers, it is recommended for the more 

 fertile and moist soils, and for locations where Dorsett may be frosted. 



SIZE — Berries average very large, as large as those of Fairfax and Dorsett. In one test, they aver- 

 aged 54 berries to the quart where Dorsett averaged 5(5 to the quart. They are blunt, conic, or wedge 

 shaped, sometimes flattened at the end, but with a tendency to be oval. 



QUALITY AND ATTRACTIVENESS — The flavor of Northstar is somewhat acid, and we would say 

 betAveen that of Dorsett and Blakemore. The aroma is very pleasing. The skin is glossy and a light 

 to medium red, close to the color of Blakemore, and like Blakemore, it does not darken, ripening evenly 

 all OA'er, better in this respect than most varieties. The flesh is a light red to the center, and is firm and 



juicy. The seed are small, yel- 

 low, and about even with the 

 surface, or slightly raised. The 

 calyx is medium in size. The 

 Northstar is a very beautiful 

 berry, and fully as attractive as 

 Dorsett. 



FIRMNESS— We have found 

 the Northstar to be sufficiently 

 firm to make an exceptionally 

 valuable commercial berry to the 

 sections for Avhich it is adapted, 

 and Ave believe its ability to ship 

 well, combined with its high des- 

 sert quality, Avill make it an ex- 

 ceptionally valuable commercial 

 berry. 



FROST RESISTANCE— As the 



floAvers are protected by the 

 leaves, Northstar has proven to 

 be very resistant to late frosts, 

 and is far less susceptible to 

 frost injury than Dorsett or Big 

 Joe. This feature will make it 

 very valuable to groAvers Avho 

 are so located that frost injury 

 is a major problem. 



PRODLCTIVENESS — North- 

 star is productive, fully equal to 

 the best of the present varieties, 

 and as the plants are usually 

 well spaced in the bed. the en- 

 tire crop is sized up satisfactor- 

 ily, Avhich adds materially to 

 the value of the crop. We truly 

 believe Nortlistar should be giv- 

 en a thorough trial by groAvers 

 with moist fertile soils, Avho have 

 not found Dorsett or Fairfax to 

 A QUART BASKET OF NORTHSTAR ^""y ^"^^'^ their requirements. 



9 



