STRAWBERRY PLANTS OF QUALITY 
9 
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Yes everbearing varieties do fruit during the late summer and fall the same year they 
are planted for they begin fruiting in about 90 days after being set and keep it up until 
freezing weather. Each plant, if conditions are favorable, will produce about one quart 
of fruit during their long fruiting season. There is no secret to growing them just plant 
like you do the regular spring varieties except that blossoms will have to be removed 
longer or until about the first of July when they can be allowed to ripen fruit and they 
will fruit from then until freezing weather. Many growers make enough and more than 
enough to pay expenses of growing them from the sale of fruit in the fall and still have 
their spring crop which is practically all clear profit. 
In planting everbearing I would suggest using the hill system, unless a heavy spring 
crop is wanted, that is setting the plants closer together and keeping all or most all of the 
runners pinched oft' as the plants will then make larger crowns and bear more fruit in the 
fall than if allowed to make runners. A good plan is to allow each plant to put out two 
runners, one on each side of the plant, and each runner to make one plant and each plant 
spaced equal distance apart, which if the plants were set 15 inches apart would make a 
plant every 5 inches down the row. If a heavy spring crop is wanted would use the matted 
row system spacing the plants when hoeing so they will not be too close together. 
MASTODON Is still the most popular and extensively planted of all the ev¬ 
erbearing varieties holding about the same position among the 
everbearers that Premier has among the spring varieties. Gem from my experience the 
past two years is a close second and would recommend giving it a thorough trial, but Mas¬ 
todon has been tried for several years and is a proven money maker. Plants set this 
spring should begin to bear fruit soon after being set but for best results blossoms should 
be removed about first of July when they can be allowed to fruit and from then on to 
freezing weather will have blossoms, green berries in all stages of growth and ripe berries 
at the same time. Berries are large size, fairly firm and of good quality. Another rea¬ 
son that makes Mastodon a safe variety to plant is that it will not only produce a big 
fall crop but will bear a heavy crop in the spring, ripening in mid-season, that will com¬ 
pare very favorably with most of the spring bearing varieties. The plants are large with 
long deep roots that enable them to withstand drouth. The foliage is low and spreading 
which protects blossoms and berries from frost and cold in the fall. 
GEM Originated in Michigan and was introduced by several Michigan growers in 
1934. Growers there are very enthusiastic about Gem. One grower says 
it has a combination of qualities not found in any other everbearer; that it is large, firm, 
good color, fine flavor, a very heavy cropper, strong vitality and a good plant maker. As 
a spring crop it will rank with the best. 
I have fruited Gem for three years now and the plant growth was fine making more 
plants than any of the everbearers as it seems to have a tendency to make a number of 
small plants instead of a few large plants like Mastodon and most of the other everbear¬ 
ing varieties. During the summer Mastodon seemed to produce more fruit than Gem but 
later in the fall Gem produced the most fruit. The berries are lighter in color than Mas¬ 
todon but of different shape being almost round, of firmer texture and will carry to mar¬ 
ket better. The berries are about as good quality as Mastodon, as attractive in the pack¬ 
age and will average as large in size but for best results should not be alowed to make 
too many plants. From results obtained I would advise all who are interested in ever- 
bearing strawberries to be sure and give Gem a trial. 
PH A MPTON (Progressive). This is the variety that first put everbearing 
varieties on the map and until Mastodon was introduced was 
the heaviest producing everbearer grown and will produce as many benies as Mastodon 
but are much smaller and of better flavor, being so sweet they do not iequiie as much 
sugar and is one of the best for the home table. Very productive and a sure cropper every 
season. Plants are medium in size, very thrifty and full of vitality. Champion is a home 
garden or local market variety not being firm enough for shipping. 
