7 PREMIER = the Frost Proof Berry 
Premier is an early berry, primarily noted for sure-cropping 
and heavy production. After it was introduced in 1915 Premier 
popularity spread rapidly so that it quickly became the most 
popular and widely planted berry in the northern and north- 
eastern states. SURE crops and BIG crops enabled Premier to 
retain its leadership for many years. Definitely now other varieties 
are creeping up on Premier in popularity—Catskill, Sparkle, 
Empire, Robinson, with new early varieties Dixieland, Earlidawn 
and Midland hurling challenges. 
The best territory for Premier extends from the high altitudes 
in Tennessee and North Carolina all the way to Canada. How- 
ever, it is admitted that Premier berries grown in the southern 
and middle states are not generally as desirable as those grown 
- farther north. 
Premier berries are very attractive in appearance and are 
popular in most northern markets. While not the best looking 
nor the highest priced, Premier berries sell well and the volume 
assures a profit. Premier berries have been favorably accepted 
by the processors. Premier quality is good, not as high as Fair- 
fax, Empire and Sparkle but better than Robinson and Blakemore. 
No variety has healthier foliage than Premier, even though for 
years before the advent of virus free stocks northern growers 
were having trouble getting a good fruiting row of regular 
Premier. 
Virus free Premier plants make a more vigorous upright growth 
than regular Premier. Berries are similar in size and shape but 
the virus free fruit seems to be a little lighter in color and possibly 
not quite so firm. Because some of the larger growers have 
expressed a preference for regular Premier we still have some of 
them. However, our present stock is mostly grown from the 
extra vigorous virus free sources. Your Premier orders will be 
filled from this stock unless you specify on your order sheet that 
your prefer regular Premier. Even though generally Premier 
does not rate as a fancy berry by modern standards it is a quality 
producer of acceptable berries which in northern states have 
provided most of the records for yield and profits in strawberry 
growing. Price list page 32. 
Gloucester Co., N. J. June 17, 1957. ‘In April, 1956, I sent for 50 plants of 
Premier. I am very pleased with them. I picked more than 100 quarts of 
berries; from the 50 plants of Empire I also picked more than 100 quarts of 
berries. I am so pleased with your plants.’’ FRANK GALANTI. 
Medina Co., Ohio. March 26, 1957. ‘'Please substitute Premier for the Catskill 
if you are out of Catskill. [f you don’t have Premier please let us know im- 
mediately so we can change our order. We were very pleased with our Premier 
patch last year. They certainly are frost resistant.’ WILBERT C. GEISS. 
Tiogo Co., Pa. Feb. 18, 1957. “I received 250 Premier plants from you in 1954 
and they were wonderful.’ ELMER L. BUTTON. 
HOWARD 17 Premier is also sold as Howard 17, which 
was the original name. The varieties are identical in every 
respect. When ordering use the name you like best. Price list 
page 32. 
