2 
LaFRANCE FRUIT AND PLANT FARMS 
GREETINGS, 1936 
With the great drouth of 1934 we thought we would have an end of 
severe drouths. But the season of 1935 was almost as bad. The temperatures 
really reached higher in July, 1935 than it did the year before. But because 
our ground was in better condition and planted a little earlier, most all 
varieties of the strawberries lived through the drouth and made a fair set of 
plants. The strawberry plant crop in the United States is better than last 
year, consequently plants will not be so scarce, but because of their great 
scarcity they will be no lower in price. The fact is, in this section of the 
country, it will be at least three years before there will be a normal supply. 
Therefore, anyone planting will get a fair price for the fruit they produce. 
We had plenty of rain through September and October and later, and we 
never grew such fine, large plants as we have this year. 
Because of the three terrific drouths of 1933-34-35, it has almost wrecked 
our strawberry plant business. Also other varieties of plants. However, we 
have enough, we think, for retail trade and we are pleased to tell our pro¬ 
spective customers that they can depend on higher quality plants that will pay 
them to plant. Anyway, this year we have plants of our own growing. 
We planted only sixteen acres of strawberries in the spring of 1935, but 
we expect to double that amount in the spring of 1936 so that we may have 
plants enough for 1937. 
Anyway there is more satisfaction in growing strawberries perhaps than 
almost any other fruit. Our list of varieties is not long, but they are the best. 
If anyone is in need of a large supply of plants, write us for special prices. 
F. W. DIXON, HOLTON, KANSAS. 
Phone 314-X On Highway 75. 
DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES 
For the first time in forty-seven years of growing strawberries in this 
county, we had a total failure of fruit. We did not pick enough berries this 
season for one breakfast. Almost all our lives in strawberry season we have 
had strawberries for breakfast, and the fact is, three times a day and between 
times if we wanted them. We had to buy all the plants we planted, most of 
them were good plants but some were mixed and we had to cut out the mixed 
ones. We got a good stand. All of our fields were under mulch early and 
that guarantees the quality of the plants in the spring. 
AROMA (Per)—This is a standard late variety and liked by all fruit 
growers because it is a good shipper and is extra size and has an excellent 
color. The plant is not as free a grower as some others but the foliage is 
very healthy. The plant makes plenty of runners for all necessary purposes. 
It is a little tender in transplanting. 
BELLMAR (Per)—This seems to be a very hardy variety. It did very 
well last season and came about as near making fruit as any berry on the 
place, but just about time they began to ripen we had a hot dry spell. The 
berries are large and pointed and of extra good color. 
BLAKEMORE (Per)—This new early variety originated by the Agri¬ 
cultural Department at Washington, is very largely planted. The plant is a 
very good bearer and the berries are of good size and color and firm. In 
certain sections this variety is subject to disease. It is a good shipper and 
a good one to plant. 
DUNLAP (Per)—This well known variety holds first place in all sec¬ 
tions of the country for home use as well as for home market. The berries 
have good color and are always a good size. The plant is healthy and will 
withstand more drouth than almost any other sort. When you plant Dunlap 
you are sure to get berries. They are almost as early as any variety. One 
fault is if they are planted on rich land they will make too many runners and 
the plants will get too thick. In that case, thin the plants in September. 
However it can be neglected more than any other variety and make a crop. 
