4 M. S. Pryor, Salisbury, Md. 
Early Spring Varieties 
PREMIER (Per) 
Premier (Howard 17) is the most popular and best money-making 
early variety ever introduced in the strawberry world, and no variety, 
either early or late, was ever introduced that attained such a great popu- 
larity in so short a time, or given more general satisfaction. Plants are 
healthy, vigorous growers and unusually productive, no variety will produce 
more of large fancy bright red berries that most always bring good prices; 
is a sure cropper, nearly always producing a bumper crop, even when other 
varieties are killed by frost, being almost frost-proof; equally valuable for 
home garden, local market or for shipping where the distance is not too 
great. If you have been growing early berries and making some money 
plant Premier and you will make more money. I have a good supply of 
Premier plants this spring and I am offering them at reasonable prices for 
this grade of plants and hope to be favored with your order for I know 
they will please you. 
BLAKEMORE (Per) 
A valuable new variety introduced by the U. S. Department of Agri- 
culture in 1980 and is outstanding in many respects. Probably the most 
outstanding characteristic of Blakemore, and the one growers will be much 
interested in, is its firmness and ability to stand up in shipping, going into 
market with a fresher and brighter look than Klondyke or Missionary; is 
more productive, yielding two or three times as much fruit as Klondyke 
and berries will average much larger than Missionary. Blakemore is an 
early variety ripening here about same season as Premier and Missionary 
and will mature its crop in a much shorter season as most of the crop can 
be picked in a few days. Another valuable thing about them is, should 
picking be delayed for two or three days on account of weather conditions 
or shortage of help the berries would still be in good condition to pick as 
very few, if any, would be to throw away on account of being too soft. The 
plants are healthy, vigorous growers making plenty of plants for a good 
fruiting bed on most any kind of soil producing more plants than most any 
other variety. I had a few plants left over last year, but had no chance under 
conditions I had them, but was much pleased with them. I saw some fine 
fruit at the auction market at Fruitland, near here, and these sold for 
good prices. As I stated last year I believe Blakemore will make more 
money for growers than Klondvke and I am discontinuing Klondyke for 
this reason. I have a fine supply of good size, well rooted plants for this 
season and can take care of your orders. Don’t fail to try a few of them. 
BELLMAR (Per) 
The Bellmar was originated by the United States Department of Agri- 
culture, and like Blakemore is a scientific cross of Missionary and Premier 
(Howard 17). It has been tested in several places and has shown up re- 
markably well. The Department circular states, “Because of its superior 
characteristics it is recommended for trial in Maryland, Delaware and New 
Jersey and should be tested in comparison with the Premier (Howard 17) 
wherever that variety is adapted for general market.” In Plant growth 
Bellmar is more vigorous than Premier and produces more runners. The 
berries resemble Premier and on good ground are as large as Premier, 
firmer and of better quality. In North Carolina, Georgia and other places 
where it has been tested has produced heavy crops of superior fruit, and 
in some instances has produced more than Premier. In Maryland its season 
of ripening is slightly earlier and about as long season as Premier, while 
in North Carolina it is about a week earlier. Bellmar is recommended for 
trial wherever Premier (Howard 17) is adapted for general market. I have 
not fruited Bellmar so I am giving the department’s description again this 
year, but have a nice lot of plants and the price is reasonable. Be sure 
to try some this year. 
