J. W. JONES & SON, FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA 
17 
Gem 
A very good representation of the Gem. 
We have been selling the everbearers now for more than a quarter 
of a century, beginning with the old Progressive, but until this 
year we have not felt that we could conscientiously recommend any that we 
have seen. We do, however, feel that we can sincerely give endorsement to 
the Gem. It has been true that a berry that will give us some good fruit in 
the off season is very desirable, perhaps the demand for such a berry is 
even greater now, since there are so many local market sales. To supply 
this need there has been a persistent effort to find a variety that would com¬ 
bine hardiness and vigor of plant with the production of at least a fair crop 
of benies. We have met with one disappointment after another. If they 
bore they would not grow and if they grew they would not bear, so that we 
have always withheld our hearty approval from any that we have seen up to 
now. 
As indicated above we believe that the Gem has fine possibilities. In 
the first place it has always grown well for us. The plants are rather small 
it is true, but they possess vigor and stamina to a remarkable degree. If 
you can grow any kind we believe that you can Gem. We may suggest that, 
if the weather is especially hot and dry during midsummer that it is wise to 
cut the bloom from them so as to give full vigor to the Fall crop. Also we 
should strongly suggest that they be planted only on a moist rich soil, as¬ 
suming, of course, that you will wish to get a maximum crop of fruit from 
your beds. 
The fruit is of the very finest flavor, being in this respect superior to 
most of the Spring kinds. The color is bright and the texture firm and 
glossy. In size they are very fair. In fact it may be said that the size will 
be good whenever there is sufficient moisture to give them a fair chance. 
The foliage is remarkably free from rust attack and this naturally gives 
a nice green cap to the fruit, adding to the fine appearance already referred to. 
There is always the possibility of being disappointed in any berry variety 
selection, since their behavior can not always be accurately predicted, but 
we believe that if you are interested in an everbearer, you are wise to try 
Gem. For us it is the best yet. 
