16 
ALLEN’S STRAWBERRY PLANT CATANOGUE, 
JOHNSON’S EARLY.—Originated in Somerset County, Maryland, several 
years since, and for a time created quite a stir amoDg berry growers in that 
section. The vines grow like weeds, in fact they will choke out any other 
growth that may come it' planted in good land, and let go to vine*; however, n 
this manner, they will not produce much fruit If planted on stiff clay land, 
and excessive growth kept thinned out, they will yield a large crop of excep¬ 
tionally fine berries, that always sell at the highest market price. On sandy 
land this variety will make a tine growth, but will not produce a good crop. 
Those who count quality more than quantity, would do '\ell to plant this va¬ 
riety even in light sandy soil. But persons who disregard this . < > « • <» ? < 
ing the proper soil on which to plant, and to keep well thinned, shou.u not 
complain of the crop if it does net meet their expectations. Time of ripening, 
a little later than Mitch* 1 and Hoffman. 
LOVETT. —This is a good standard sort, of fair growth, medium to late, firm 
and productive. Some consider this an exceptionally good variety to plant 
with pistillate sorts. It is too well known however, to need extended descrip¬ 
tion here. I have a few very nice plants. 
JESSIE. —Too well known to need description. I do not recommend it, 
but as I have quite a number of inquiries for it, I carry a few plants in stock 
for those who want it. 
KANSAS. —(See colored plate on first cover page). This popular new va¬ 
riety was originated in the state ot Kansas, and was introduced by me in the 
spring of 1900 at the seemingly high price of $5.00 per doz The superior quality 
of the berry, and the small quantity of plants available however, made the high 
price asked, a necessary precaution. In 1898 I offered $100 00 in gold for the 12 
best plants of any variety then unintroduced, which might be sent me for trial. 
In competition with some 200 varieties that were sent, the Kansas easily won 
the prize. The plant is an extremely vigorous grower, and is free from rust or 
disease of any kind as any variety grown. Its drouth resisting qualities are 
superb. Blossom pistillate. Its fruit is a brilliant crimson, not only on the 
surface, but through and through. This feature, with its very strong straw¬ 
berry flavor, will eventually make it one of the most popular varieties for can 
ning. Time of ripening, late. Size is medium to large, and very handsome, 
showing up to good advantage in the package. The berry is firm enough to 
make a good commercial variety, and it will no doubt rank high among the 
market berries. The originator says tj^at the Kansas in 10 years never failed to 
give him an abundant yield although they received no better care than other 
varieties he was growing. Mr. R. M. Kellogg of Michigan was one of the first to 
fruit the Kansas, and he speaks very highly of it as follows: “The Kansas was 
placed in my trial bed with 250 other sorts. They attracted the attention of 
visitors the first year by the vigor of the foliage and general appearance. The 
next season the fruit and plants showed greater points of excellence than any 
other berry on my grounds.” Mr. Kellogg further says, “W. F. Allen purchas¬ 
ed the entire stock and named it Kansas. He introduced it at $5.00 per doz., 
and while the price seemed excessiye, yet, when it becomes known, the plants 
will be in greater demand than any other variety.” I am willing to stake my 
reputation, says Mr. Kellogg, that it containsjmore^points of excellence than any 
other variety introduced in recent years. Mr. Kellogg having no personal inter¬ 
est in the berry whatever, makes this very strong testimony, and he had fruited 
the Kansas 3 times when this was written. One of my largest customers who 
saw a few plants fruit in 1901, and didn’t like it, again saw it in fruit in 1902, 
and I presume it is sufficient to say that I now have his order already booked 
for 40,000 plants of this variety for spring delivery, spring 1903. (See view and 
notes on same, 3d cover page.) 
LESTER LOVETT. —I planted this variety for the first time last spring, 
and therefore havn’t fruited it here, yet I find it very prolific in plant growth, 
with a healthy upright foliage, somewhat resembling the Gandy. The follow¬ 
ing description is what the introducer has to say of it. “Letter Lovett possesses 
all the valuable properties of the Gandy with added lateness. It is wonderfully 
prolific, and of superior quality. It is a veritable giant in eyery particular, and 
is as far superior to the Gandy, as is that popular variety to the best late varie¬ 
ties which preceded it. Its season is 10 days later than Gandy, and all other 
