6 
J. H. Shivers Plant Farms, Allen, Maryland 
EARLY VARIETIES 
PLANT GROWTH. This is one of the best early berries I have 
ever tried. The Dorsett is a vigorous growing variety, under normal 
conditions, producing many runners and making a heavy matted row, 
which may become too dense when it is grown on rich soil. The leaves 
are usually smaller and not so glossy as those of the Fairfax and 
slightly lighter in color than those of Premier. 
SIZE AND QUALITY. Under favorable conditions the berries 
are very large and conic in shape. At the proper picking stage, the 
berries are medium light in color and retain their lightness even after 
they begin to get quite ripe. The appearance alone should sell them. 
Its flavor is mildly subacid; under normal conditions it is sweet and 
very pleasing in flavor but not so rich as Fairfax. However when the 
fruit is over ripe the flavor does not become so objectionable as in 
many other varieties. In one season of much rainfall in Maryland 
when berries lacked sweetness the flavor was better than that of Fair¬ 
fax. It has proven especially well on heavy soil. 
PRODUCTIVENESS. They ripen about the same time as Premier, 
and are very productive. Some of my customers claim they yield 
fully as well as the Premier, while others say they do not. With me, 
experience has proven that they do not produce quite so well as the 
Premier although the quality of berries are better throughout the sea¬ 
son. Should you be short of pickers or weather conditions prove un¬ 
favorable for picking, Dorsett berries will carry over in better con¬ 
dition than the Premier. 
If you have never tried the Dorsett, would advise you to try some. 
If you have tried them and found them to be better than the Premier, 
I am sure you are going to buy more this year. I have a good supply 
of Dorsett plants, true to name and free of disease. The price is 
reasonable. Try them and be convinced. 
