Trying Them Out 



We believe there is much valuable information in the results from our variety- 

 test plot which fruited in May and June, 1932. We had over forty-five different 

 varieties, but we have eliminated from this record all new and unknown varieties 

 which show no promise, and have directed our attention to the new ones of great 

 promise, and the older varieties whether good or bad. In studying these records 

 and comments there are six main points to keep in mind: 



1. Average Conditions. The soil was neither 

 very high nor very low, heing a good medium 

 loam of average fertility, to which we applied 

 moderate amounts of fertilizer such as any 



regular grower would apply. 



2. Uniformity. For a plot of its size there 

 was exceptional uniformity in the soil and 

 growth of the plants. Four plots of Premier 

 plants set at intervals through the field made 

 almost identical plant growth. And all the 

 varieties with which we are familiar made 

 about as much growth as you would normally 

 expect. 



3. Dry Year. From the time we picked the 

 first berries until within a few days of the 

 time our latest ones were over, we had no rain. 

 A condition like this will, of course, cut down 

 the size and yield of all varieties, but it is 

 exceptionally hard on the midseason, late and 

 very late varieties. In listing the results 

 therefore, we have separated these two groups. 



4. One Year Only. These figures are for a 

 test for one season only, in one locality. While 

 we believe that they indicate very strongly the 



actual value of the variety, yet they should 

 not be taken as conclusive for all soils and all 

 localities. 



5. Late Season. Berry season started sev- 

 eral days later this year than the average. In 

 a season of this kind the midseason and late 

 varieties tend to even up their date of ripen- 

 ing, so we have varieties like Big Joe, Big 

 Late, Beauty, Chesapeake and Lupton all show- 

 ing ripe berries on the same day; but the day 

 by day yield records show that the later ones 

 like Chesapeake and Lupton held on longer 

 than the earlier varieties. 



6. Yield Per Acre. You will note the actual 

 yields are not extra large but considering the 

 very dry conditions with no rain during the 

 entire season, they are as good as could be 

 expected under average conditions. Straw- 

 berries for many reasons (see page 5) should 

 have better than average land and better than 

 average care. A good grower should be able 

 to beat these actual figures considerably. The 

 value of the figures is in the comparative 

 yields. 



Here are the Actual Results 



EARLY AND MEDIUM EARLY VARIETIES 



Dorsett (U.S.D.A. No. 633) 6640 - - 



Fairfax (U.S.D.A. No. 613) 5120 



Premier (best plot of four) 4520 



Southland 4480 



Premier (average of 4 plots).. 3920 



Blakemore 3360 



Howard Supreme 2680- 



Bellmar 2480 



Red Gold 2200 



Missionary 1920 



Cooper 720 



Ridgely (Jupiter) 480 



MIDSEASON 



Aberdeen 3200 



Chesapeake (Lateberry) 3160 



Lupton (Town King) 3080 



Mastodon (Spring Crop Only). 2780 



Big Joe (New Hope) 2720 



Gibson 2640 



May Queen 2560 



Beauty 2400 



Wm. Belt 1760 



Wilson 1760 



Big Late 1280 



Redheart 1120 



Washington 320 



Harvest King 



Rate of Yields in Quarts 



Yield per Row First 



in Quarts Good to Poor to Ripe Berries 



per Acre Fancy Fair Picked 



69 14 May 21 



58 6 May 21 



43 y 2 13 May 22 



53 3 May 18 



37 12 May 23 



32 10 May 19 



24% 9 May 27 



26 5 May 20 



12% 15 May 25 



1 23 May 23 



5% 3% May 25 



3 3 May 27 



Plant Beds Made 



Very good 

 Very good 

 Very good 

 Very good 

 Very good 

 Too many plants 

 Very good 

 Very good 

 Fair to good 

 Too many plants 

 Fair 

 Good 



AND LATE VARIETIES 



31 

 24% 

 30% 

 23% 

 21 

 17 

 23 

 17 

 11 

 11 

 12 

 7 



9 



15 



8 



11 



13 



16 



9 



13 



11 



11 



4 



7 



4 



10 



May 28 

 May 30 

 May 30 

 May 30 

 May 30 



May 28 

 May 29 



May 30 

 May 29 



Good 



Good 



Good 



Good 



Very good 



Good 



Good 



Very good 



Good 



Good 



Very good 



Good 



Good 



Good 



Health of 



Foliage at 



Fruiting Time 



Very good 

 Very good 

 Very good 

 Very good 

 Very good 

 Very good 

 Fair 

 Good 

 Poor 

 Good 

 Poor 

 Fair 



Good 



Very good 



Good 



Good 



Good 



Fair 



Fair 



Fair to good 



Fair 



Poor 



Fair to good 



Good 



Poor 



Very poor 



