BELLMAR 



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Bellmar is a cross of Premier and Missionary originated by 

 the U. S. Department of Agriculture. We liave grown Bellmar for 

 several years. Bellmar makes a plant growth somewhat larger 

 and stronger than Premier, though under unfavorable conditions 

 it perhaps does not hold up quite as well. The plants are quite 

 productive in most of the area to which it is adapted and under 

 some conditions it produces very heavily. Very high yields have 

 been obtained in Connecticut, New York and in some parts of the middle West. The berries them- 

 selves are rather long and conical in shape with a very large green cap. This makes them very 

 attractive. The berries are a bright i-ed color when picked at the proper time, becoming fairly 

 dark red a little quicker than Premier. The berries are better in quality, tirmer, hold their size 

 about as well and usually sell about with Premier. It is worth trying in most of the Premier 

 territory and possibly slightly farther South. Bellmar is a worthwhile new variety and would be- 

 come more prominent if Blakemore, Dorsett and Fairfax, all early, had not come out so soon fol- 

 lowing Bellmar. Except under special local conditions we believe they will all prove more profit- 

 able than Bellmar. We have some nice plants of this variety for those who know and like it or 

 who want to give it a trial. Price list, page 33. 



BLAKEMORE 



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During the few years since its introduction by the U. S. Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture the growing of Blakemore in large commercial 

 plantings has increased tremendously. It is a cross of Missionary and 

 Premier. Throughout all of the Southern States and as far north as Missouri, southern Illinois 

 and Maryland large commercial plantings have been made. As a shipping berry for the South it 

 seems likely to almost completely replace Missionary and Klondyke, except in Florida where 

 Missionary is still the leader. Here are some of the reasons for the tremendous increase in 

 popularity of the Blakemore. 



Growth. Blakemore make.s a vigorous, healthy 

 growth. In fact it will make more plants than 

 any leading variety on our list, except possibly 

 Dorsett, under a wide variety of soil conditions. 

 The foliage is healthy and stands up well 

 throughout the fruiting season. 



Productivenes.s. Blakemore is sufficiently pro- 

 ductive. There are a few varieties which are 

 slightly more productive, but Blakemore ranks 

 very high in this respect. In 1933 our trial plots 

 yielded at the rate of over 10,000 quarts per acre. 



Firnine.ss. The berries are very firm and will 

 stand shipping long distances and go into market 

 in excellent condition. This factor is important 

 when shortage of help or unusually wet weather 

 delays picking. In dry years especially, Blake- 

 more berries will hang on the vines several days 

 In good condition. Even in wet years they stand 

 up better than most of the others. 



Color and Attractiveness. Blakemore berries 

 are very light in color and rank 100 in attractive- 

 ness. They are very pretty and usually sell well. 



Size and duality. In average size, Blakemore 

 berries are somewhat smaller than Premier and 

 considerably smaller than Dorsett and Fairfax. 

 The eating quality of the fresh fruit is rather 

 tart, but it is very well liked by the cold pack 

 men and for canning and preserving. 



CAUTIONS 



Too Many Plants. Blakemore makes so many 

 plants that they must be kept thinned. In dry 

 years especially if this is not done the size of 

 the berries will be disappointingly small. See 

 page 15 for actual results from spacing Blake- 

 more plants. 



In the North. We have had a few favorable re- 

 ports from Blakemore north of Maryland. A 

 great many have been unfavorable. It may be 

 that proper spacing of plants as reported on 

 page 15 will widen the territory where Blake- 

 more can be grown profitably. Price list, page 33. 



22 



