HIGH AND DRY 
N THE strawberry industry as in others, each year brings its own special 
i problems. ‘The effect, as well as the cause, of one of the most serious 
things at this time is accurately expressed by the words “High and Dry”. 
Strawberry plant prices in 1942 will be HIGH because the summer and fall 
of 1941 were so very DRY. 
The shortage of strawberry plants this year is really serious. All sources 
of information indicate 40% or less for the country as a whole. Our own 
supply is much better than the average but it is not over 50% of normal. 
Not for over 25 YEARS—since before the first world war—have the avail- 
able plants been so limited. Mr. W. F. Allen says that he cannot remember 
a Single year in his entire 57 years growing plants, that the crop was any 
Shorter. 1930 was just as hot and dry as 1941, but rains came earlier and 
enabled more of the runners which had been formed to take roots and make 
good plants in Fall 1930 than in Fall 1941. 
Regardless of weather, some increase in prices would have been neces- 
sary this year. Labor, crates, packing materials and all other costs are 
higher. Such increases, however, would have been more moderate. 
The seriousness of the plant situation is emphasized by several of our 
less important varieties of which we normally grow only a few rows. The 
crop of several of these is so short we have barely enough for our own re- 
planting. We will have no plants to sell this year of BELLMAR, SOUTH- 
LAND, ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, GIBSON, OREM, CLERMONT, CULVER, 
SHELTON, HEBRON, NEW YORK and SAMPLE. In addition, DAYBREAK, 
AMBROSIA, MASSEY, CHAMPION and GEMZATA are offered only by the 
hundred or less. We are not trying to scare anyone but we do think our 
customers are entitled to the facts. We believe the facts are as presented 
above and are not exaggerated. Unless there is a very drastic reduction in 
planting, growers who order late are very likely to be disappointed in getting 
the varieties they want, if indeed, they can get ANY of the better kinds. 
So, let us urge you to order early and reserve the plants you want 
for prompt shipment when you want them. Our 57 years of experi- 
ence is your guarantee of getting good plants, true to variety name. 


Maytime—Fine 
berries and the 
earliest of all 
