SPARKLE 



Sparkle is a shining example of good 

 work in breeding strawberries done by our 

 Agricultural Experiment Stations. Sparkle 

 was originated and introduced by the New 

 Jersey Station. It has quickly become pop- 

 ular throughout all the northern states 

 from New England to the Mississippi River. 

 Sparkle needs plenty of moisture to size 

 up the very large crop of berries which are 

 set. Sparkle size normally ranges from 

 medium to large, but in dry seasons with 

 too thick beds the size can run down too 

 much. 



Although Sparkle is a good all-around 

 berry it is outstanding in four ways: 



1 . Sparkle is highly resistant to red stele. 

 Teamed with Stelemaster for early, and 

 Fairland or Temple midseason, Sparkle 

 late, provides a grower with red stele in- 

 fested soil with a succession of excellent 

 varieties. 



2. Sparkle has high quality, a rich red 

 color clear through the berry, which makes 

 it one of the best for freezing and other 

 processing. 



3. Sparkle plants are very productive, rat- 

 ing in total yield with outstanding pro- 

 ducers like Premier, Catskill. Tennessee 

 Beautv and Armore. 



4. Sparkle is one of the most vigorous of 

 all strawberries, making plenty of plants 

 under almost all conditions throughout the 

 middle and northern states where it is 

 adapted. 



As with Catskill, most Sparkle stocks in 

 the last few years have been greatly reduced 

 in vigor by a virus disease. Beginning with 

 our 1953 setting stock we have had only 

 virus free Sparkle plants and the improve- 

 ment has been amazing. Last spring, 1954, 

 we picked berries from a few rows of 

 Sparkle which we did not need for plants. 

 They yielded larger and better fruit than 

 any Sparkle we have ever had — even when 

 it was first introduced. Price list page 32. 



MASSEY 



Where well grown, Massey is one of the pret- 

 tiest, firmest, largest and best quality berries 

 we have ever seen. Massey seems to be at its 

 best in the coastal plain section of North Carolina 

 where it is usually very productive. After being 

 introduced Massey produced so profitably there 

 that it soon exceeded Blakemore in total acreage. 



During the last few years virus diseases have 

 reduced the vigor and yield of Massey plants. All 

 our stock again this year was grown from virus 

 free planting stock. The growth shows a return 

 to the original Massey vigor. North Carolina 

 growers should certainly use this virus free stock 

 of Massey together with virus free Albritton, 

 which is fast gaining on Massey as a commercial 

 berry in that area. Why not try some of our 

 strong virus free Massey stock? Price list 

 page 32. 



18 



ERIE 



Erie, like Empire, is a recent introduction 

 of the New York State Experiment Station. Its 

 parentage is Sparkle X Premier -certainly an ex- 

 cellent start for any new kind. Erie makes strong, 

 vigorous plants and plenty of them for a heavy 

 fruiting row. Berries are large, maintaining their 

 size well throughout the season. Fruit color is 

 medium red, bright and attractive, with a skin 

 somewhat tougher than Premier. In quality Erie 

 about equals Premier, but ripens about eight 

 days later — about with Sparkle. 



Dr. George L. Slate, the originator, says Erie 

 is suggested for trial for market purposes because 

 of the heavy crop, attractive appearance and 

 large size of the berries which is well maintained 

 through the season. Price list page 32. 



