larger ilian Blakemore under similar conditions. They are fully as large as that Aristocrat of all late varieties, 

 the Chesapeake. In fact when the berries first mature. Fairfax resembles Chesapeake very much in size and 

 appearance. 



FIRMNESS OF BERRIES 



Dorsett and Fairfax berries are both very firm. Fairfax being somewhat the firmer of the two. Blake- 

 more is considered very valuable as a long distance southern shipping berry largely because of its unusual 

 firmness. As compared with Blakemore, Fairfax is slightly more firm and Dorsett slightly less firm. Both 

 of them are much firmer than Premier and are suitable for shipping berries as well as for local market and 

 home use. Furthermore, they are firm enough to stand up better than other varieties where lack of sufficient 

 labor makes it impossible to keep the berries picked closely, and where they are subjected to very wet condi- 

 tions 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. Fairfax at the proper picking stage is medium dark, becoming 

 very dark after they get riper, and almost purple for several days before they begin to decay. 



APPEARANCE 



Personal liking for light or dark berries will govern whether Dorsett or Fairfax berries are considered 

 more attractive. On the table, page IS. we have rated Dorsett as slightly more attractive of the two, only 

 because a few of the early berries of Fairfax, although extra large in size, are somewhat irregular in shape. 

 We have found this condition only in one plot where very late setting had resulted in a thin fruiting bed. 

 During several years on our well-filled beds we have not noticed this irregularity of the first berries. Both 

 Dorsett and Fairfax show up very well in the package and on the market then bring top prices. 



QUALITY 



As we stated lasjt year, Dorsett and Fairfax set new standards in quality. They both very definitely 

 have something which no other varieties have. Most of those who have eaten them place Fairfax slightly 

 ahead. A few like Dorsett best. All agree, however, that either of them is superior in quality to any other 

 variety ever introduced. Other varieties have size, color and attractiveness, but we feel that it was those factors 

 coupled with the unuspally high quality of Dorsett and Fairfax that was largely responsible for the really 

 amazing prices which we obtained for Dorsett and Fairfax on the New York Wholesale market last season. 



A REAL TRIBUTE TO QUALITY 



In our trial plots last season the fruit on our young fruiting beds was saved for study by ourselves and 

 visitors, and for yield records. A fine crop on the old beds was used for observation and for eating by visitors 

 and local friends. One day while the menfolks were studying the young trial beds a group of seven or eight of 

 the women and children were turned loose on the old trial beds. They started eating in the rows where their cars 

 happened to stop, changing from row to row. Three rows, one Dorsett, one Southland, one Fairfax, ran through 

 the center of the plot. They were asked to try those. They did so and from then on not one of the whole group 

 ate a berry from any other row, although there were about one hundred rows and over forty different varieties at 

 their disposal. This action from such a group, knowing little or nothing of varieties, was a real tribute to real 

 quality. 



BETTER QUALITY MEANS BIGGER MARKETS 



We stated last year that we felt the higher quality of Dorsett and Fairfax would result in an increased 

 consumption of berries. We feel that even more 

 strongly after another year's experience with them. 

 We know that it has worked this way with our own 

 families, with our office force, and with friends who 

 have had these berries available. With Dorsett or 

 Fairfax on the table, second helpings become a 

 habit. 



DORSETT OR FAIRFAX — WHICH? 



Both varieties have such a full measure of all 

 those things which are desirable in strawberry vari- 

 eties, that a choice between them should be deter- 

 mined largely on whether you and your market 

 prefer a medium light or a dark berry. If no 

 preference in this respect, then selection would 

 depend on your personal choice between the two 

 royal flavors. We believe that everyone who grows 

 strawberries, whether in the home garden or in 

 a large commercial way, should try out both vari- 

 eties, but those who contemplate setting a good 

 many of them will set more Dorsett if their 

 market prefers light berries, and more Fairfax if 

 they prefer dark berries. Most wholesale markets 

 prefer the lighter berries because of the feeling 

 that lighter berries are not so ripe and will keep 

 longer. Price list page 35. 



Pint of Fairfax Berries 



(much redureti) 



15 



