Sturdy plants of Premier from beds like these. 
PREMIER 
PREMIER was introduced in 1915. Since that time we have had no instance where 
the crop of Premier was entirely killed out by frost. No other early variety equals 
Premier for sheet hardiness and persistence in producing a crop every year regardless 
of conditions. During the first few years after its introduction, Premier was so good 
that it replaced most other early varieties except in the South and West. Premier is a 
native of Massachusetts and it is at its best in the Northern states. It has produced 
very large yields as far south as North Carolina, but these southern Premier are not as 
firm nor as good in quality as those grown farther north. Fairfax and Dorsett may 
replace Premier to a large extent in regions where they are best adapted, but in the 
Northern states Premier should be and will be retained as the leading commercial variety 
until the others have proved their value. 
Plant Growth 
Under favorable conditions Premier 
makes plenty of plants for a well set 
matted row even where no thinning or 
spacing is practiced. In some parts of the 
Middle West, however, Premier has failed 
to make sufficient plants for a good fruiting 
bed during the last few years. This may 
be due partly to dry conditions. At any 
rate setting plants early and good prepara- 
tion of the soil make a satisfactory growth 
much more likely. Some growers have 
wondered if Premier were not running out 
to some extent. We are not sure about 
that but we do believe our practice of 
selecting the finest, most vigorous planting 
stock every year has kept our plants of 
this variety above the average in vigor. 
Note the picture of Premier beds on this 
page. The foliage of Premier is very 
healthy, no variety being more free from 
leaf disease. 
Frost Proof 
Premier blossoms are borne close to the 
ground and are protected by the leaves. 
They are produced in great abundance, 
have plenty of pollen and set easily. These 
facts, combined with their sheer hardiness, 
help explain why Premier has never missed 
producing a good crop of fruit. 
Big Crops 
Premier berries average fairly large in 
size under good conditions. They rank 
with Catskill in producing the greatest 
number of quarts per acre. However, 
they set so many fruits that where the 
plants are very thick in the beds, or the 
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