TEMPLE . . SPARKLE . . FAIRLAND . . 
15 
Description of berries: Temple berries 
average large in size, and attractive 
in appearance, becoming rather dark 
on holding; berries are much firmer than 
either Fairland or Sparkle and are well 
accepted on the market as a high quality 
shipping berry. In this section of Mary- 
land Temple within two or three years has 
become the most widely grown of all 
varieties, even on soil not infected with 
red stele; in quality the berries of Temple, 
Sparkle and Fairland are all very good, 
better than Premier and Catskill, not as 
good as Fairfax and Fairpeake. Sparkle 
berries are only medium in size, even in 
areas where it is best adapted. This is the 
biggest handicap to Sparkle as a variety. 
Grown as far south as Maryland, Sparkle 
berries are rather soft. However in New 
York state they are firm enough. As its 
name indicates, Sparkle berries are round, 
rich in color, with a shiny, sparkling skin 
which makes them very attractive. As a 
freezing berry it is one of the best. North- 
ern growers should not fail to try Sparkle. 
Fairland berries have a beautiful bright 
color, almost as light as Blakemore, al- 
though not so firm. They are very attrac- 
tive in the package and should bring top 
market prices where shipping distances 
are not too great. Fairland has shown 
enough susceptibility to frost injury so 
that we conclude it is not quite as hardy 
as either Temple or Sparkle. Berries aver- 
age larger in size than Sparkle or Blake- 
more, probably running as large as 
Temple on the average. 
Growers who are in areas 
troubled with red stele should 
try all three of these varieties to 
find the one best adapted to their 
conditions. Growers in other 
areas, particularly those who are 
having trouble getting a good 
plant bed from the varieties they 
have been growing, should try 
one or more of these kinds. They 
really do grow and they really 
do bear big crops. Price list, 
page 31. 
ROBINSON 
{ScaAlet lie&tUy^ 
Here is a new variety that has built up a great 
reputation and a large following in Michigan, espe- 
cially in the Benton Harbor section of that state. 
Excellent reports have also come from Kansas. 
Indiana. Tennessee, West Virginia and Ohio. Results 
in Maryland have not been too favorable, the 
trouble being that the berries are too soft to make 
a satisfactory shipping berry, many of the berries 
are quite prominently ridged and the quality is 
rather poor. 
In the other areas from which reports have come 
Robinson berries are apparently a little firmer and 
better quality than they are here, so that the large 
size and bright color have taken well with buyers 
and made Robinson a money-maker for some grow- 
ers. A Michigan plant grower in the Benton Har- 
bor section writes us that Robinson has largely 
replaced Premier in that area, 98% of his own 
orders being of the Robinson variety. He states 
further that in his opinion that 90% of the berries 
in that area are Robinson, the balance mostly 
Premier. A recent letter from a state official in 
Michigan advises us that "Robinson has increased 
in popularity in Michigan up to this year. This 
season the variety seems to be quite susceptible 
to hull rot which caused some growers serious 
losses, so serious that some of them said they did 
not think they would plant any more at present." 
Robinson makes a vigorous plant growth and lots 
of plants, not quite as rank as Temple or Sparkle, 
but almost completely healthy, resembling Premier. 
We are rather critical of bsrry quality, but it 
seems to us that Robinson berries are rather tart 
without the flavor which makes a tart berry good. 
It is like Lupton in that vigor, productiveness, size 
and appearance make Robinson commercially profit- 
able, but a good one to keep out of the home 
garden. We have some very fine Robinson plants. 
Price list, page 31. 
Robinson Berries — a Money Maker 
which Rivals Premier in some sections 
