Many Dorsett Berries Measure Two Inches or More Across 



Perfect Blossoms 



Both Dorsett and Fairfax have perfect blos- 

 soms so do not require other varieties for cross- 

 pollenation. Fairfax and Premier both have 

 somewhat larger blossoms and somewhat more 

 fertile pollen than Dorsett. This fact makes it 

 especially important to keep Dorsett plants fairly 

 thin in the row as a very thick bed makes con- 

 ditions unfavorable for complete setting- of the 

 berries. 



Season of Ripening 



As with other fruits, varieties of strawberries 

 vary with soil and other conditions as to com- 

 parative ripening date. The average of several 

 years, however, seems to indicate that Dorsett 

 ripens with Premier or perhaps one or two days 

 later, while Fairfax on the average is four or five 

 days later than Premier. Reports indicate that 

 these differences are greater farther north and 

 less farther south than Maryland. 



.fB 



oize or Derries 



Dorsett and Fairfax berries average very large 

 in size, considerably larger than Premier or 

 Blakemore. They are fully as large as that 

 aristocrat of all late berries, the Chesapeake. In 

 fact, Fairfax resembles Chesapeake very much in 

 size and appearance, except that it seems to be 

 even more highly polished. We hope you will 

 read on page 20 comments on size of berries as 

 reported by growers of Fairfax and Dorsett in 

 several states. 



Fi 



rmness or Derries 



fB, 



Fairfax and Dorsett berries are both very firm, 

 Fairfax being somewhat the firmer of the two. 

 Blakemore is considered very valuable as a long 

 distance southern shipping berry largely because 

 of its unusual firmness. As compared with Blake- 

 more, Fairfax is slightly more firm and Dorsett 

 slightly less firm. Both of them are much firmer 

 than Premier and are suitable for shipping ber- 

 ries as well as for local market and home use. 

 Furthermore, they are firm enough to stand up 

 better than most other varieties where lack of 

 sufficient labor makes it impossible to keep the 

 berries picked closely, and where they are sub- 

 jected to very wet conditions due to frequent 

 rains. 



Color of Fruit 



Dorsett berries at the proper picking stage are 

 medium light in color and retain their lightness 

 to a very high degree even after they begin 

 to get quite ripe. However, they are not as light 



as Blakemore or Aberdeen. Fairfax berries at 

 the proper picking stage are a beautiful rich red, 

 but become quite dark after they get riper, and 

 almost purple for several days before they decay. 

 1934 and 1935 experiences in many places showed 

 Fairfax outselling Dorsett. Buyers soon learned 

 that the dark color does not mean decay. At the 

 stage when Premier and varieties of similar firm- 

 ness start to decay, Fairfax merely turns darker 

 for several more days. 



App 



earance 



Both Fairfax and Dorsett are beautiful, showy 

 berries. Dorsett will attract some more on ac- 

 count of its lighter color, but Fairfax has promi- 

 nent yellow seeds and a shiny, almost polished 

 skin which makes it very rich looking. Both 

 Fairfax and Dorsett look well in the package and 

 would bring top prices on the markets on showi- 

 ness alone. 



Quality 



Almost unanimous among those who have 

 eaten them is the opinion that Dorsett and Fair- 

 fax far outrank all other berries in dessert qual- 

 ity. This is one point about which there is prac- 

 tically no argument or difference of opinion. A 

 taste of a few well-grown berries of either Dor- 

 sett or Fairfax will convince the skeptics. "When 

 Dorsett and Fairfax have replaced many of the 

 lower quality berries we are convinced that the 

 consumption of strawberries will increase. Our 

 Philadelphia commission merchant who sold sev- 

 eral thousand quarts of Dorsett and Fairfax for 

 us this season told us that he personally had 

 eaten more strawberries this year than in any 

 other year, and that many of his customers were 

 enthusiastic about them because they sold out 

 so readily and buyers came back to ask for them 

 by name on account of the high flavor. 



Dorsett or Fairfax — Which? 



Both of them are well worth growing. Com- 

 mercial growers as well as home gardeners 

 should try both. One may do better than the 

 other on account of adaptability, color of the 

 berries, or some other factor. We have given 

 honest information about them to the best of our 

 ability. We are quoting for you actual experi- 

 ences from a great many growers in different 

 states. Whether ordering either or both we do 

 not feel that you will make any mistake. As a 

 berry grower, the worst mistake would be to 

 pass them by without a thorough trial. Price 

 list, page 33. 



17 



