8 
W. F. ALLEN. SALISBURY, MARYLAND 
HELEN DAVIS. This variety has a strong fruiting stem, more fruit stems are sent out from a 
--- single stem than by most other varieties. It has no particular preference as to 
soil. The berries are exceedingly large, many of them averaging as large as medium-sized eggs. The 
berry holds up well after picking and the calyx remains green and bright, indicating that it is to become 
a prime favorite with commercial Strawberry 
growers. Its color is a subdued crimson and 
extends from center to circumference. The flavor 
of this variety is like no other Strawberry, and 
is delicious. The velvet quality of the meat gives 
the Helen Davis a distinction absolutely its own. 
When it comes to productiveness, no other variety 
ever developed can outyield it, and its capacity 
for endurance under trying circumstances shows 
it to be a marvel of vitality. We hope that you 
may give the Helen Davis a generous trial this 
season. 40 cts. per doz., 75 cts. for 25, $1.25 for 
50, $2 per 100, $4 for 250, $8 for 500, $15 per 
1,000. 
Fruited here for the 
first time last summer 
under very trying circumstances, it being one of 
the driest seasons we have ever experienced. Not¬ 
withstanding, it gave an excellent showing of very 
fine fruit of exceptionally high qualities. The plant 
growth is excellent, dark green in color; a very 
vigorous and upright grower. I am favorably 
impressed with it and shall plant out a good large 
patch and I advise my customers to try at least a 
few. It is claimed that First Quality will bear 
double the berries that can be produced from Gandy 
or Brandywine, and judging from the past season, 
I do not doubt it. It is undoubtedly a great crop¬ 
per; firm, uniform shape and colors up well. There 
is something about the flavor that grows in favor. 
It is a large berry, pointed somewhat after the 
order of Haverland. I consider this one of the 
most promising of the new sorts. It is eagerly 
sought after by growers who desire a fancy berry as well as a large crop of berries. 25 cts. per doz., 40 
cts. for 25, 60 cts. for 50, $1 per 100, $1.75 for 2 5°» $3 f° r 5 00 > $6 per 1,000. 
FIRST QUALITY. 
First Quality. A prominent new sort 
Enormous. A medium-to-late pistillate va¬ 
riety. The berries are broad and wedge-shaped 
with a crimson-colored surface and dark yellow 
seeds. The flavor is excellent, and the name is 
suggestive of its size. Very productive and firm 
enough for shipping. Try it. 
Excelsior. A standard for earliness by which 
all others are compared. The berries are about 
medium in size, very productive and firm; one of 
the best shipping berries on the list. If given half 
a chance, it will take care of itself and bring splendid 
returns. It is too sour to suit the taste of the average 
person and has, therefore, never been popular 
for the home garden. As a first-early shipping 
berry it has few equals and is decidedly the best 
of the old standard extra-early market sorts, and 
if there is a variety that will give ripe fruit earlier 
in the season, year after year, I have not yet found 
it. If left on the vines until thoroughly ripe, it 
is very highly flavored and will be appreciated by 
those who do not object to its being rather tart. 
Ewell’s Early. Originally found on an island in 
Pocomoke Sound, in Virginia, near the Maryland 
line. This plant is believed to have come from the 
seed of Strawberries carried home from Maryland 
by Virginia pickers. It is a hardy plant and as 
vigorous a grower as a sweet potato plant. It will 
grow anywhere that corn and grass will grow. 
It is a strong grower and the vines quickly cover 
the ground. It is fully as early as the Excelsior, and 
is claimed to be more productive and a much better 
berry in every respect. The foliage is fully as large 
as the Gandy, and about 4 inches taller. Mr. Wm. 
S. Richardson, of Marion Station, Maryland, 
who purchased original plants from the discoverer, 
has this to say about Ewell’s Early: “I have never 
yet seen any variety that will equal Ewell’s Early 
as a strong, vigorous grower, and to any one who 
plants for profit I would advise that they plant a 
few thousand of this variety, feeling confident 
that they will make no mistake.” Mr. Richardson 
has been growing plants on the Vanderbilt Farm for 
30 years. 
Fairfield. There is quite a demand for this 
berry, especially among those who do not admire 
the qualities of the Excelsior, Mitchell’s Early and 
Hoffman. The plants are strong growers, with 
healthy foliage much resembling the Haverland. 
One will not go out of the way when planting this 
variety for an early crop. Of fair quality. It is a 
good berry to plant either for home use or market, 
as it is firm enough to make a good shipper. It is 
early, and somewhat larger and of much better 
quality than the above-mentioned berries. My 
stock this season is unusually fine. 
Fendall. Originated in Baltimore county, Md., 
by Charles E. Fendall. We fruited this variety the 
past season and were very much pleased with it. It 
is a strong-growing plant, with very attractive, 
luxuriant, light green foliage. The berries are 
large, and are very fine in flavor. The berries are 
perfect beauties, rich in color, smooth and glossy, 
with long stems and large caps. The plant and 
fruit are bound to command attention wherever 
seen. It is a variety that should not be overlooked. 
Blossoms pistillate. 
