Afton, IN. "V . 
M 1 d n i Q ll t) . Introduced by J. H. Hale of Connecticut in 1903. 
In the Midnight we have a Strawberry later than the very latest, as large as 
the largest, and so extremely productive as to make it a very profitable berry 
in any season of ripening, and doubly so as it produces most of its superb large 
fruit long after the main crop has matured. As a seedling of the Haverland, 
pollinated by Parker Earle, Midnight combines the strong points of both parents 
clearly proving that blood will tell. 
Midnight bears a number of stout fruit-stalks to each plant, with plenty of 
strong stamens in every blossom, so that all pistils are thoroughly pollinated, 
resulting in a great crop of extra-large, perfectly developed, broadly conical 
berries, all of very large average size; bright scarlet on sunny side and lighter 
on the shady side, somewhat likethe dear old Downing — a beautiful combina- 
tion of color that is very tempting. Midnight is of a delicious, mild, subacid 
flavor, with flesh tender and melting. 
Benjamin E rom E. H. Riehl, Alton, III., said to be almost 
identical with the Midnight. The description of this variety will 
serve for the Benjamin. 
Early Varieties. The following varieties have fruited here. We 
recommend all them for cultivation except those noted. 
Cameron. The best extra early variety in my collection. Plants are 
clean, thrift}' grower and quite productive. Berries are firm, medium to large 
and of better quality than the average. 
Olives Pride. This variety has certainly come to stay. The plant is 
one of the most vigorous growers producing plenty of large heathly plants. 
Berries are large and firm, ripens all over, no green tips, and of excellent 
quality. Plants are free from rust or blight and exceedingly productive. 
Ernie. Plants are medium in size, a moderate grower, with dark green 
foliage, shows some rust, but not enough to keep back the enormous crop of 
berries. Fruit very firm, medium to large, smooth, quite uniform in size and 
shape, and produced in great abundance. The quality is good, a rich subacid 
in flavor. Desirable for shipment. 
4 
DmiGan. This variety like the Ernie is a leader for distance market. 
The plant is a good grower, perfectly healthy, makes plenty of short runners, 
is exceedingly productive, and every way satisfactory as a market berry. The 
fruit is large, a dark red in color, quite firm and of fine quality. 
Climax. This is one of the most popular new varieties of the Delaware 
and Maryland peninsula. The plant is very vigorous in growth, no sign of rust 
or disease, and enormously productive. Fruit of good quality above medium in 
size, firm, never mishapen, but smooth and perfect as cast in a mold. 
The Climax comes highly recommended by those who have seen it in bearing. 
Haverland. A well known and most reliable standard variety. Very 
productive. Berries are large, bright glossy scarlet, moderately firm and of fair 
quality. The plants are vigorous, bright green and free from rust. 
