476 ReporT OF THE HortTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT OF THE 
VARIETY TEST OF STRAWBERRIES AND 
CULTURAL DIRECTIONS.* 
O. M. TAYLOR: 
SUMMARY. 
Eighty-nine varieties, tested during 1907 and 1908, many of them 
recent introductions, are described in this bulletin. The kinds have 
varied widely in behavior under apparently similar conditions, and 
these differences indicate their possible value when grown in a simi- 
lar environment. Actual trial under each set of conditions is the 
safest guide. 
The distance of rows and plants should be governed by the plant’s 
ability to reproduce itself. This is an inherent character which 
varies but little under different surroundings. Eleven varieties pro- 
duced very many plants which were badly crowded. Thirty-two 
kinds made very few plants leaving much unoccupied ground which 
resulted in a decreased yield. Forty-six varieties developed a 
medium number of runners. 
No insect injury occurred during 1907 and 1908. ‘Weather con- 
ditions were unfavorable for the rapid outbreak and spread of fun- 
gus diseases. A few varieties suffered from mildew. Twenty 
varieties were strongly susceptible to attacks of leaf-blight. Sixty 
nine kinds were free from disease, or nearly so. Under ordinary 
conditions applications of bordeaux mixture are unnecessary. 
A large number of varieties fruited in midseason. Nineteen per 
ct. proved to be early; about eight per ct. were late. Small size 
and a short and unproductive season are characteristics of early 
varieties. Golden Gate and Saint Louis were very productive and 
early in season. Most of the early kinds produced only one or two 
satisfactory pickings. There were a larger number of desirable 
midseason and late kinds than early varieties. ‘All of the seven 
late varieties, Blaine, Columbia, Nettie, Prof. Fisher, Quality, 
Rough Rider and Williams are included in the list of varieties havy- 
ing marked desirable characters. 
One of the greatest variations was in productiveness. The rat- 
ing of each is given in the description of the variety. The most 
*A reprint of Bulletin No. 300. 
