1934 Experiences with Fairfax and Dorsett 



In June, 1934, we stopped at the farm of Mr. George Kramer of Schuylkill Co., Pa. Mr. 

 Kramer is one of the best berry growers in that state. He told us that Dorsett and Fairfax 

 were showing up well and that after seeing them in fruit he was glad that in his new plantings 

 he had set only those varieties for early berries. He liked both varieties, but at that time had not 

 made up his mind which he liked best. On account of severe weather no varieties had produced 

 a full crop, but Dorsett and Fairfax were showing up well in comparison, with about one half 

 a crop or a little better. 



Here are some reports from other states which we received from growers who set a few plants 

 of Fairfax and Dorsett in spring, 1933, and fruited them in 1934. 



WISCONSIN 



Bayfield Co., Wise. — When my pickers ■wanted 

 berries to eat this year they went for the Fair- 

 fax and Dorsett. These berries also rate very 

 good in attractiveness, above other varieties in 

 keeping quality and as good as any in produc- 

 tiveness with me this year. I expect to continue 

 growing them. — Mr. Carl A. Sorensen. 



VIRGINIA 



Stafford Co., Va. — I did not keep exact account 

 of the number of quarts but as far as I can judge 

 Fairfax and Dorsett were the most productive I 

 had this year. I think they averaged larger tlian 

 any I had with tlie possible exception of Chesa- 

 peake. Their firmness was all I could ask; as for 

 their keeping quality I know nothing for they 

 were eaten just as fast as they got ripe. I think 

 their flavor is the best I have ever tasted and I 

 have been raising strawberries off and on for 

 more than 50 years. Their appearance was all 

 any one could wish. From the 200 plants of 

 Fairfax and Dorsett I gathered much more tlian 

 200 quarts of berries, though on the last of April 

 the patch was covered with dead blooms, and 

 the fruiting season was rather too wet at first. 

 With me Fairfax was better than the Dorsett. 

 If they do as well next year as this I will aban- 

 don the Premier. I have been very fond of try- 

 ing new varieties but I think I will stop and just 

 read your catalog. I have always found your de- 

 scriptions just. Until you find something better 

 I shall plant only Fairfax, Dorsett and Chesa- 

 peake. — Mr. George L. Gordon. 



RHODE ISLAND 



Providence Co., R. I. — The Dorsett and Fair- 

 fax berries have the best quality and flavor of 

 any variety I have ever grown and I have been 

 growing them for twenty-five years. We had a 

 late frost this year which killed some of the first 

 blossoms but had a fair yield. The berries were 

 firm, very attractive. They are the only ones I 

 intend to grow as they are superior to any other 

 varieties I have tried. — Mr. F. E. Paul. 



WEST VIRGINIA 



Marion Co., W. Va.— My Fair- 

 fax and Dorsett plants made a 

 vigorous, healthy plant growth 

 in spite of the fact that we had 

 almost two months of hot, dry 

 weather after the plants were 

 set. We did have some rain the 

 same dav, however. Last winter 

 we had temperatures around 

 twenty degrees below zero for 

 nearly two weeks straight. As 

 we did not have the plants 

 mulched we expected them to 

 be frozen out but they seem 

 just as vigorous as they were 

 last fall and bore very plenti- 

 fully, much more than Chesa- 

 peake. From 400 plants set we 

 picked over 240 quarts of ber- 

 ries Evervone said they were 

 the nicest berries they could 



find this year and we had no difficulty in selling 

 them right at the patch as they were very showy 

 and commanded a lot of admiration, not only by 

 their quality but from their appearance and size 

 as well. — Mr. Russell Wade. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE 



Rockingham Co., N. H. — The Fairfax berries 

 were certainly all you claimed for them and 

 more. I am not going to plant any other early 

 variety in the future. I never saw or tasted 

 anything like them. — Mr. W. H. Burke. 



KENTUCKY 



Franklin Co., Ky. — The past spring was one of 

 the driest for many years except 1930. It was 

 also very hot at fruiting time but my Fairfax 

 and Dorsett berries (especially the Fairfax) 

 stood up and bore berries of enormous size. 

 Under these conditions both varieties made a 

 vigorous plant growth, Dorsett entirely too thick 

 and four feet wide. Fairfax picked twice as 

 many quarts of number one berries as Premier 

 or Gandy. People were amazed at the size and 

 beauty of Fairfax. Dorsett, with the tliick beds, 

 rated with Premier in size and productiveness. 

 Fairfax was very firm and delicious. We did not 

 think strawberries could be as deliciovis as Fair- 

 fax and Dorsett. They are both very attractive 

 also. While other berries spoiled on the counter 

 Fairfax sold as rapidly as I could deliver them 

 to the grocer. In fact he told me he was forced 

 to conceal the Fairfax berries in order to move 

 the other varieties he liad for sale. Dorsett, I 

 believe, should be grown in a narrow fruiting 

 row. I shall try it again. I am sold on Fair- 

 fax. — Mr. J. B. Irvine. 



CANADA 



Quebec, Canada. — Both Fairfax and Dorsett 

 plants purchased from you in Spring of 1933 

 made a very vigorous growth, free from dis- 

 eases. We picked a good number of crates of 

 berries which sold very well as the berries virere 

 exceptionally nice and good flavored. We made 

 no actual measurements of crops as the acreage 

 was not big enough, but we are satisfied that 

 the two varieties gave us just as good, if not a 

 bigger crop than any of the other varieties we 

 have such as Glen Mary, Premier, Dr. Burrell and 

 Sen. Dunlap. In the case of Dorsett, the berries 

 were just as large, if not larger than Dunlap and 

 the quality was as good. Fairfax gave us excep- 

 tionally large fruit, dark red in color, of very 

 high quality. The fruit was larger than any of 

 the other varieties we had. While we like very 

 much both varieties, Fairfax seems to have out- 

 standing qualities and we think will make a 

 place for itself in this province. — W. H. Perron & 

 Co., Ltd. 



NEW YORK 



New York Co., N. Y. — I have had most excel- 

 lent results from your Fairfax berry which I 

 have planted at my private garden at Port 

 Washington on Long Island. I never tasted such 

 berries and the plants have done overtime. I 

 wish, however, to prolong my season and was 

 considering putting in the Chesapeake as a late 

 berry. — Miss Alice S. Hawkes. 



'MM 



