Typical berries of Northwest are long conic in shape, except in the 
earliest pickings when many are broadly wedge-shaped. With normally 
vigorous plants berry size has been large to very large in early pick- 
ings, dropping off gradually to medium size at end of season. Small size 
has not been a problem at any time. Color of berries has shown some 
variation, being excellent at Puyallup and Centralia, somewhat darker 
at Vancouver and slightly lighter at Mt. Vernon. At Puyallup the color 
is bright crimson with a high gloss which has distinct eye appeal. The 
flesh is firm, not hollow or only slightly so in the largest berries, 
and uniform light red throughout. The large green cap is easily removed 
in the field, leaving no stem, when being picked for quick freezing, a 
decided asset. It has typical strawberry flavor without the undesirable 
sourness or bitterness found in some varieties. 
The ripening season is late, beginning about a week after first pick- 
ing of Marshall. This characteristic may help it to escape blossom 
damage by frost, and will extend the marketing season. Northwest is a 
single crop variety, showing no tendency to the everbearing habit. 
In experimental processing Northwest has been frozen, both whole and 
sliced, with sugar and with syrup added. In blind sampling it has been 
rated from slightly inferior to equal to Marshall in flavor. In almost 
all cases, sliced samples have been superior to Marshall in appearance, 
the slices holding their shape better because of firmer texture. Frozen 
whole berries have been exceptionally good. Canned samples have been 
rated superior to the best canning varieties. 
The above information is taken from Mimeograph Circular No. 149, The 
Northwest Strawberry. You may be able to obtain this circular by writing 
to the Western Washington Experiment Station, Puyallup, Wash. 
STRAWBERRY VARIETIES INTRODUCED BY 
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA | 
(FOR FULLER DESCRIPTIONS SEE OUR 1949-50 CATALOG) 
DONNER STRAWBERRY 
The belief has been expressed to us that “in the area around Fresno, 
Reedley and Visalia the Donner will be the most outstanding variety, as 
that area is destined to be the production center for the freezer ber- 
ry.” And a grower near Zuma Beach, about 20 miles north of Santa Monica, 
who got some Donner from us last May, has ordered 8,000 Donner from us 
now (mid-Dec.), saying Donner has done the best of any variety for him 
and now he is planting nothing but Donner. He is now (mid-Dec.) picking 
Donner from his last May planting and says they are productive, high in 
quality and very firm. 
SHASTA, LASSEN, TAHOE, CUPERTINO STRAWBERRIES 
These are said to be very much to be desired and in demand in coastal 
areas like Watsonville, and the average yield of the Shasta alone among 
the better growers, we are told, will average over 4,000 crates (12 bas- 
kets) per acre per year. Planting Cupertino where the weather is excess- 
ively hot we are told is not advisable. We have had more call for Lassen 
this fall in Southern California than for any other variety. 
SIERRA STRAWBERRY 
(See our 1949-50 catalog p. 8) 
