PREMIER 



Since first introduced in 1915 Premier has been praised by all who have grown or handled 

 them. Plant growers, in describing it, have resorted to about all the adjectives in the English 

 language and even then this praise was none too great. Premier swept the country like wild- 

 fire and except on the Pacific Coast and in the South, has gi^en more general satisfaction, 

 produced larger crops and returned larger profits than any variety yet introduced. At high or 

 low altitude, on sandy loam, on stiff clay, on shale or stony soil the results were the same. 

 Premier has some faults but these were not of sufficient importance to check its popularity. 

 Now, some growers are asking for a variety that is more firm, has better flavor and quality, 

 a variety that will size up the last of the crop better and will come back with a paying crop 

 the second year. To these growers we offer Dorsett, for markets preferring light berries and 

 Fairfax for markets where dark fruit is preferred. 



GROWTH — Premier is a very vigorous variety, 

 making a good bed on all types of soil, however, 

 they respond well to fertile soil and good culti- 

 vation. In thrir freedom from disease they have 

 been the standard by which other varieties are 

 judged. 



SIZE — The first berries average large to very 

 large but due to Premier's tremendous produc- 

 tiveness they have a tendency to run down during 

 the last of the season as so many berries are set 

 that it is practically impossible for them all to 

 size up unless the soil and weather conditions are 

 very favorable. 



FIRMNESS — Fruit is fairly firm, but here is 

 what we consider Premier's weakest point. For 

 home markets or markets within 100 or 150 miles 

 there is very little trouble from this source but 

 when trucked, or shipped in refrigerator cars for 

 greater distances, the berries often arrive in very 

 poor condition, molding or decaying badly before 



reaching the consumer. This condition is very 

 pronounced during wet weather and thpse berries 

 coming in by the truck load and train load have a 

 tendency to demoralize the larger wholesale mar- 

 kets which in turn lowrs prices generally. If 

 growers who ship long distances would only han- 

 dle such varieties as Blakemore, Missionary or 

 Dorsett, we feel sure a greater demand and better 

 general prices would prevail. 



QUALITY AND FLAVOR— The flavor and qual- 

 ity are both very good. This is necessary for any 

 variety to have gained the popularity Premier has 

 enjoyed. ^ 



PRODUCTIVENESS— Everyone knows of Prem- 

 ier's productiveness, under some conditions they 

 may have been equalled or even bettered but for 

 heavy production under general conditions they 

 stand unchallenged. Growers have written us tell- 

 ing of yields of over 20,000 quarts per acre under 

 conditions that were far from ideal. 



Oooper "^^^ ^^^^ fruit is very large but runs down in size ; quality and flavor excellent. 

 ■^ Too soft for distant shipment. The fruit has no lustre. Of value only for home 



garden or local market and for these purposes there are many varieties that outclass it. If 

 you know and like this variety, we have the plants, if not, we would recommend something 

 else. 



IVIissionary ^^ ^^^' dependable shipping variety, largely grown in Florida and other south- 

 ^ ern states. Does well in all types of soil and especially well in the lighter 

 types. Is very popular with the juice men. We believe Blakemore a better variety generally, 

 with the exception of in Florida where Missionary is still the leading variet5^ The fruit is 

 rather tart, dark red in color, of medium size and has a very attractive appearance. A heavy 

 producer and sizes up the entire crop well. 



Hed. Oold. ^ ^^^^ producer of medium sized berries of oval shape. Fruit very glossy and 

 of fine flavor and quality. Under favorable conditions Red Gold does very well 

 but with either extreme of wet or dry weather they are often disappointing. The fruit lacks 

 both flavor and firmness under excess moisture and the foliage does not hold up when too dry. 

 If you have found them suited to your requirements we have a nice supply of plants. 



Howard 17 (Premier). This variety is really Premier or Vice versa. It is conceded they 

 were really originated by Mr. Howard but were widely advertised as Premier 

 before introduced as Howard 17 and are generally known by that name except in the New Eng- 

 land states. They are oflficially known as Howard 17 in the State Experiment Stations and by 

 the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Regardless of name, they are a mighty fine variety. 

 For full description see Premier. 



IN 35 YEARS RAYNER'S PLANTS ARE THE BEST 



Marshall Co., W. Va., September 17, 1934. — The four varieties of strawberries I purchased from you 

 this spring have made a wonderful showing in spite of the worst drought on record. They have made 

 fine rows and are the healthiest plants I've ever grow^n. I have been growing strawberries for 35 

 years and have dealt with several Nurseries but I've never received plants from any Nursery that 

 come up to Rayner Brother's. They are No. 1, and there are no better at any price. — Mr. F. A. "Wolff. 



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