2 
LaFRANCE FRUIT AND PLANT FARMS 
DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES 
For a life time we have been growing 1 strawberries in Jackson County, Kansas. We never 
made any fortune at it but we have done about as well as the balance of the people and up to 
date we have made a living. We have had the fun out of growing strawberries. We claim to 
be the greatest evangelist in the state because we have brought more people to their knees than 
any other man in the state. We have sold, millions of plants in Kansas and other states. We 
have always tried to supply our customers with the best plants. Many customers are buying 
plants from us who bought plants from us more than forty years ago. Because of the extreme 
drouth the past season quite a number of varieties could not bring their berries to maturity 
except at the very beginning of the ripening season. Not only did we have an extreme drouth 
but it was extremely hot. The only other extremely hot, dry season we ever knew was in 1901. 
In some ways we think this season was worse than in 1901. 
AROMA (Per)—This is the best commercial late berry that has ever been grown in central 
sections. Plant growth is very good and it is a healthy plant. The berry is very large, uniform 
and of excellent color. The berry holds up well until the end of the season. It never produces 
knotty berries. Fruit is very firm, therefore, is the best shipper. In our fields this year the 
plant withstood the drouth as well as any on the farm. The plant is a little tender in trans¬ 
planting but otherwise it is a good grower. 
BEAVER (Per)—The drouth did not prove very disastrous to this new variety. The plant 
and berry resembles Dunlap very much only the berry is firmer. It has one fault. It ripens 
on one side. It is a good variety for canning purposes. 
BELLMAR (Per)—This is one of the new varieties originated by the U. S. Department of 
Agriculture. Plant growth is very good. It withstood the severe drouth as well as any variety 
on the place. However, the drouth damaged the crop very much. It had just begun to ripen 
when the severe hot weather struck it. The berry is large and a rich red color. We are sure 
no one will be disappointed if they plant it. 
BLAKEMORE (Per)—This is perhaps the best creation of the Department of Agriculture. 
We fruited this berry for three seasons. We find no fault with it. The plant growth is the 
best of any of the newer varieties. It is almost equal to that of the Dunlap. The foliage is 
light green and very healthy. The trouble is it makes too many plants. It should be kept 
thinned out. The fruit is of excellent color and good size unless the plants grow too thickly. 
The berry holds up better in the box than almost any variety on the farm. The first berries 
ripen about as early as any and continue to ripen until medium late. It can be classed as an 
all season berry. When the berries first ripen it is a bright red color but continues to grow 
darker. It does not deteriorate like other berries do. It will stand on the! vine three or four 
days before they will spoil on the vines. We believe this variety is the nearest perfect straw¬ 
berry we have ever grown up to date and there are some newer ones that are very promising. 
Our supply of this variety this year we think will be ample to take care of the trade. However, 
you better place your orders early because more people are going to plant Blakemore. 
DORSETT (Per)—This is one of the latest new varieties originated by the Department of 
Agriculture. It is a cross between the Royal Sovereign and Premier. The plant withstood the 
drouth very well and made a good growth of fine healthy looking plants. The berry is extra 
good size and holds up well to the end of the season and of extra good quality. It is an early 
berry about the same season as Premier. Any one can afford to give it a trial. 
FAIRFAX (Per)—This is another production of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 
Plant growth is all right because it made a good growth during the dry season here with us. 
We have never fruited it but it is claimed to be larger than Premier. Berry is firmer and 
better color. Fruiting season extends over a long period. Holds up well to the last picking. 
The berry is conical in shape and a bright red color and gets darker as it ripens. The berry 
is of extra quality. Sweeter than the average. You can afford to give it a trial. 
DR. BURRILL (Per)—We have never been able to distinguish any difference between this 
variety and Dunlap. Some growers claim there is a difference. 
DUNLAP (Per)—Perhaps the best known berry of all varieties of central sections. Any 
one need not be without berries when they plant Dunlap. The greatest fault is they are too 
soft to carry over night in good condition. The plant growth is perfect and no difference what 
kind of weather you have, you will have some berries when you plant Dunlap. If the season is 
wet the Dunlap berries will not stand up. For home use it is O. K. any time. Plant is so hardy 
and so thrifty it will stand any amount of neglect and produce a crop of berries. 
HOWARD 17 (Per)—This is identical with Premier. 
KLONDYKE (Per)—This is planted more largely in the south and California. As a 
market berry it is better than any other berry in those localities. The berry is good size, round, 
dark color, firm and a good shipper. Makes a good plant growth with us but never is prolific 
enough. We only grow it for our southern and California trade. 
PREMIER (Per)—This is the largest early berry. It is very largely planted in many 
sections. An excellent market berry because it is firm and of good size and good color. The extra 
size of this berry makes one of the best for market purposes. However, extra large berries 
never carry well when shipped as a medium size berry or smaller berry. It is not an extra 
good plant maker. The plant withstood the drouth the past season about as well as any. The 
plant is very large. Because of this fact there is more expense in shipping the plants. 
RED GOLD (Per)—We have been very much disappointed in the way the Red Gold plants 
behaved on our place. They did not withstand the dry weather as they should have. However, 
we have a few plants if you want them. 
WASHINGTON (Per)—This is a late berry of a high flavor. It does well in many 
localities. The drouth did not effect it much. It stood up about as well as any on the place. 
It made as many plants as any of the well known varieties. The berry is dark color. We have 
a nice lot of strong healthy plants and it will not cost you much to test them. 
