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Last year, in describing these varieties, we gave two separate descriptions, however, they 

 were so much alike that the same description applied to either in many respects. This was 

 pretty confusing and made it hard to distinguish the real differences in them. This year we 

 are describing them together and comparing each point, which we hope, will aid you in decid- 

 ing which is best suited to your needs. AYe honestly believe these varieties, through their su- 

 perior flavor and quality will actually increase the consumption of berries thereby increasing 

 the demand and enlarging the market for them. That with their better carrying and keeping 

 qualities prices will be steadier and the gluts that so often occured during wet weather, with 

 the old varieties, will be materially reduced if not eliminated. Frankly, we believe a grower 

 who has found them suited to his soil will be wise in planting one of these varieties 100% for 

 his early market. 



HISTORY — Both varieties are seedlings of Prem- 

 ier and Royal Sovereign, from a scientific cross 

 made in 1923 at the U. S. Department of Agricul- 

 ture plant breeding Station, located near Glendale, 

 Maryland. Both Dorsett and Fairfax were among 

 selections made from this cross in 192.5. Tests 

 made in Southern New Jersey in 1930 indicated 

 both varieties were worthy of introduction, being 

 superior, in many respects, to any of the standard 

 commercial varieties. Were both introduced in 

 1932. 



GROWTH— In health and vigor both are far su- 

 perior to any of the older sorts, making a strong 

 upright growth that may become too rank on rich 

 soil or when too liberal applications of fertilizer 

 are made, this is especially true in the Northern 

 states. This condition should be avoided as the 

 yield and size of the berries will be cut down ma- 

 terially. In resistance to leaf spot and scorch both 

 varieties are equal to Premier, one of the most re- 

 sistant of present varieties. Dorsett makes plants 

 very freely, setting a dense matted row, the plants 

 may become too thick in the row on rich soil, 

 making thinning necessary to obtain the maxi- 

 mum of size and yield. Fairfax cannot be termed 

 a free plant maker, although more plants are set 

 than Premier, usually well spaced in the row. Thin- 

 ning will be necessary only in extreme cases. In 

 size, Dorsett plants are slijrhtlv smaller than Fair- 

 fax. 



SIZE— The berries of both Dorsett and Fairfax 

 are very large, averaging larger than any other 

 early variety, being fully as large as Chesapeake. 

 Dorsett berries are of blunt to long conic shape 

 averaging more to the long conic, have a slight 

 tendency to run doAvn in size toward the end of 

 the season under dry conditions, with sufficient 

 moisture this is less pronounced. Fairfax are of 

 blunt conic shape with a few of the first fruit 

 wedge shape. Under normal conditions the fruit 

 will vary very little in size from the first picking 

 to the last. Under very dry conditions there is 

 some variation. 



QUALITY AND FLAVOR— In this both Dorsett 

 and Fairfax are far superior to any variety now 

 grown, even outclassing Chesapeake, the variety 

 that held this honor for so many years. This su- 

 perior flavor and quality is credited to their par- 

 ent, the Royal Sovereign, an old English variety 

 that was famed for its high dessert quality. From 

 our observations we have found, under normal con- 

 ditions, the Fairfax has a more rich, full flavor 

 than Dorsett but under wet to very wet conditions 

 the Dorsett is slightly superior and holds its flav- 

 or better, though both retain their flavor and firm 

 texture far better than any variety we have com- 

 pared. 



FIRMNESS — Both A'arieties have shown to be 

 very good shippers, withstanding long hauls very 

 well, outclassing Premier in this respect by a wide 

 margin. Compared with Blakemore, Do'rsett is 

 slightly less firm and Fairfax slightly more firm. 

 Fairfax, however, loses its brilliance and darkens 

 more quickly after picking and in transit, than 

 Dorsett or Blakemore. 



PRODUCTIVENESS — Production, we believe, 

 under normal conditions, is well above that of any 

 of the present varieties with the exception of Prem- 

 ier and Aberdeen which have both set tremendous 

 records. Compared with good long distance ship- 

 ping varieties such as Blakemore and Chesapeake 

 they will average 20 per cent to 30 per cent more 

 marketable fruit. Under rather dry conditions the 

 percentage will be much higher, with extremely 

 dry weather the margin will be somewhat lower. 

 Under wet to very wet conditions, when all varie- 

 ties produce very heavily, this lead in marketable 

 fruit will be apparent in less decay and less loss 

 from sun scald and blister. 



COLOR— The major difference in the two varie- 

 ties. Dorsett berries are a light red, slightly dark- 

 er than Blakemore but much lighter than Prem- 

 ier, and like Blakemore, they retain this light col- 

 or for several days after they are apparently ripe 

 and do not become dark even when very over-ripe. 

 For wholesale markets this is very desirable be- 

 cause buyers feel dark berries are over-ripe and 

 will not keep so long. Therefore, dark berries sel- 

 dom bring top prices in city markets. Fairfax 

 berries are a medium light red Avhen first ripen- 

 ing, turning dark quickly as they become over- 

 ripe but even after they have turned almost pur- 

 ple for several days the berries are firm and of fine 

 flavor and if permitted to hang on the vines most 

 of them just dry up without decaying. In answer 

 to that question, so often asked, "Which is the 

 better berry, Dorsett or Fairfax", we can only 

 reply: The variety with the color best suited to 

 your needs. We believe, as Fairfax qualities be- 

 come better known, the prejudice in large mar- 

 kets, against dark berries, will be replaced with an 

 increasing demand for them. 



FROST RESISTANCE— Dorsett and Fairfax, be- 

 ing crosses of Premier should be aide to withstand 

 severe frost. They have been fruited for about 

 eight years and during this time have never shown 

 any appreciable frost damage. 



ADAPTABILITY— When first introduced Dorsett 

 and Fairfax were recommended for the latitude of 

 ilaryland and New Jersey. Further tests, how- 

 ever, have revealed their adaptability to almost all 

 sections where Premier can be grown successfully, 

 they are doing well in the Pacific Northwest, even 



