8 
W. F. ALLEN, SALISBURY, MARYLAND 
DEACON. Deacon is a very productive and a very late berry, commencing to 
ripen here about the last of May. The flavor is similar to Brandywine, and the 
texture of the berry is much the same, but a little more pointed in shape and, I 
think, a little more productive; I would certainly prefer it of the two, and espe¬ 
cially recommend it to those who favor the Brandywine. It has good, strong, per¬ 
fect blossoms, and I consider the variety very desirable; it makes a strong, 
healthy growth and is free from diseases. I do not know the 
origin of this berry, but obtained my stock from a Massa¬ 
chusetts grower, who speaks very highly of it. It strikes my 
fancy in a good many ways and I have every reason to be¬ 
lieve it will be a most satisfactory and profitable berry for 
the general grower. 
EARLY GIANT. This new candidate for public favor hails 
from the noted Strawberry section of Somerset County, 
Maryland, and I am offering it for the first time this spring. 
It has not fruited with me, but if what I hear of it is true, it is a 
valuable addition to the already long list of varieties. I procured 
the plants last spring, and, after planting, we had a very dry summer 
until late in the season; but, notwithstanding that, they have made 
a magnificent growth of very healthy vigorous, upright-growing 
plants that impress me as being capable of bearing out their reputa¬ 
tion at fruiting season. This variety originated with Mr. Oliver D. 
Tyler, who describes it as follows: “The Early Giant ripens with 
Excelsior, and in firmness I have never seen anything to equal it; 
in size it is very much like the Gandy.” This description is short, 
but in thus describing it, Mr. Tyler has spoken volumes in a few 
words. A Strawberry as vigorous as he represents it, that is any¬ 
where near as large as the Gandy and as early as the Excelsior, I 
would consider a valuable proposition. I have not fruited the berry 
myself, and will have to be content this season to quote from the 
originator. I have put the price very low for a new variety, and I 
think the planting of a few plants would, to say the least, be a good 
speculation. 
Since writing the above, hearing that Mr. L. W. Cox had bought the most of the Early Giant Straw¬ 
berries grown at Westover and vicinity, I wrote him, asking his opinion of it. The following is his answer: 
Your letter received in regard to Early Giant Strawberry. We shipped quite a few of them the past season, 
and found them among the best in price. They are not quite as early as the Excelsior, but are ahead of the 
Oaks, just between the Excelsior and Oaks. It is 
a fine berry; large, firm and productive, with a 
fine flavor; in fact, I think it the best berry we 
have in this section.—L. W. Cox, Westover, Md., 
October io, 1913. 
Ekey 
for home 
gardens 
EARLY JERSEY GIANT. Originated by Dr. 
Walter Van Fleet of New Jersey, and is described 
by him as “ripening with the St. Louis; berries 
very large, brilliant scarlet-crimson; conical, 
with pointed tip; colors all over at once; has de¬ 
lightful aroma and a rich, mild, wild Strawberry 
flavor; large, green caps, hence exceedingly showy 
and attractive; blossoms large and staminate. 
Plant a strong grower and a heavy yielder. It is 
the largest and best very early variety.” A 
prominent grower of Burlington County, N. J., 
says: “I picked my first ripe berries of Early 
Jersey Giant on Monday, May 12, the same day 
I picked my first St. Louis. As an early berry 
it is in a class by itself.” A New York grower 
says: “The Early Jersey Giant is a valuable 
acquisition to the Strawberry world. It is a full 
week ahead of anything else I have.” 
EKEY (I. O. C.). This variety makes very 
large, strong plants that are productive of large, 
rich, conical berries. It is a good shipper and a 
good ill round berry. It has been sold by some 
I' li 11 • m I >rl.i ware as “ 1. O. C.” It has a perfect 
blossom, in.I 1 hr berry is well represented in the 
a< ( omp.inving illustration. It is a good standard 
sort, and espei ially recommended for home use 
and near market. 
You can’t afford to overlook Ewell’s Early (see page 9) 
Better Than He Expected 
l received. I am very well pleased with 
them. They arc better than I expected. — Albert J. 
Bkckkr. Cook County, Ill., March 22, 1913. 
