24 



ALLEN'S STRAWBEERRY CATALOGUE. 



BENNETT'S SEEDLING— Originated in one of the suburbs of Cincinnati 10 

 years ago, but has never been introduced until now. Unfortunately it became 

 mixed on the originator's grounds, and only one man, as far as is known, perse- 

 vered until he got a stock of perfectly pure plants. Even the originator went to 

 him last spring for pure stock. Our plants come from this man. He has grown 

 the Bennett s Seedling seven years, and probably knows more concerning it than 

 does any other person. A letter inquiring into the merits of the variety brought 

 a reply from which the following extracts were taken: 



The plant is a joy to see, clean, strong, bright, deep-rooting and free from 

 spots. It is exceedingly productive, ripens its first berries earlier than the War- 

 field, and bears as late as the Gandy. Its season has extended over five weeks. 

 It is pistillate, and if properly fertilized every blossom is followed by a berry. 

 It has succeeded best when grown near a very early and a very late staminate 

 variety. In size it is among the largest, excelling the Warfield at any time 

 during the season. Unlike most large varieties, the first are never seamed o r 

 cockscombed. Its form is short conical, not so blunt as the Clyde or Brandy- 

 wine, nor so long as the Haverland. It has a smooth surface, the seeds being 

 neither raised nor sunken. The color is "the best there is," bright scarlet when 

 first ripe, to dark red if left unpicked four or five days later. It has remained 

 on the plant a week after it was ripe, and was then marketed. In firmness it is 

 nrobably not excelled. The calyx is of medium size, always reen and healthy, 

 and not easily detached in picking. Finally, the quality is good, much better 

 than the average. For an all around, general purpose berry, it is likely to be 

 one of the very best. 



MARGARET — The plant is large and healthy, and so vigorous in growth 

 that it will mature its last berries and continue green and luxuriant while an 

 abundance of the strong runners are produced The foliage is dark green and so 

 clean and healthy, looking that it is a pleasure to work among the plants The 

 blossom is persect and one of the strongest ever seen. It commences to ripen 

 soon after the early varieties and bears until nearly all others are gone, with 

 a good chance its berries are nearly all of large size. The fruit is dark glossy 

 red and the berries are not inclined to have white tips. The large, green calyx 

 adds to its beauty. The flesh is firmer than most large berries, and of excellent 

 flavor. For healthy, vigorous growth, productiveness, size, beauty and quality 

 the Margaret is a remarkable variety. 



Wn. BELT — Fruited in many places last summer and gave general sat- 

 isfaction In some places it rusted to 

 a certain extent, but I do not recall 

 any instance where the crop was no- 

 ticeably diminished. Many growers 

 are enthusiastic over it and will plant 

 it largely. In one case that I know of 

 the Wm. Belt not only brouuht one 

 half more than other varieties, 

 but it sold rapidly and created a sen- 

 sation in the market It is a good grow- 

 er and makes a medium quantity of 

 strong healthy plants that are usually 

 heavy rooted. The berries are as large, 

 with some specimens larger, than the 

 Bubach. It is about as productive as 

 Bubach and with hnlf a show seems to 

 mature every berry It is more perfect 

 in shape and far better in quality and 

 a better grower than Bubach Its col- 

 or is perfect, ripens n arly as late as 

 Gandy, and to my taste the best quali- 

 ty of any late berry I have eaten. 



HAVERLAND — A very popular medium late variety. Berries large oblong 

 in shape and scarlet in color, quality good, immensely productive and always 

 reliable. 



