herries , 
‘NORTHSTAR 
A New, Mouth Watering 
Pie Cherry—Large, Luscious, Fruit 
on Small Sized Trees 
TAtroduced a year earlier than Meteor (1951), 
Northstar..was the first true pie cherry to be 
introduced by the Minnesota Fruit Breeding 
Farm. The name given it seems appropriate 
since Minnesota is known as the North Star 
State. This cherry will no doubt succeed farther north than 
any other cherry of equal size and quality except Meteor, which 
we believe can be planted right along with it. 
A fittle different breeding has gone into Northstar. Whereas 
Meteor/has, Montmorency blood, Northstar is a cross between 
a tough, Ahardy Serbian pie cherry and the regular English 
Morello cherry. The gain in this cross has been two-fold—as 
Northstar is not only much hardier than the English Morello, 
but isfar superior to its parent in quality. 
Both its parents being smaller than, Montmorency in tree size, 
thefe is every indication that Northstar will be a relatively small 
tree—an important feature where limited space is a factor. 
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION 
The following is taken from an article by Prof. T. S. Weir in the Minne- 
sota Horticulturist (January 1951) when the official announcement of 
Northstar was made. 
“NORTHSTAR is a Morello type sour or pie cherry. The color is at 
first a bright red, but at maturity it changes to a dark glistening mahog- 
any-red; the skin is medium tender and the flesh is juicy, tender and 
meaty; the flavor is pleasantly acid and the quality good. The stone is 
small and is easily removed. 
“The ripening season begins very early, about July 5th to 10th at the 
Fruit Breeding Farm (a few miles west of Minneapolis). The fruit will 
remain on the tree in good condition for about two weeks. 
“The tree is small but productive and is self-fertile. It is resistant to 
leaf spot and apparently to brown rot diseases. It should be a valuable 
addition to the home garden for its beauty as well as its fruit. There 
are good possibilities of its succeeding as a commercial variety.” 
PRICES OF NORTHSTAR 
We pay the postage. 
-\ MONTMORENCY 
Most widely planted_pie cherry. Large, beautiful cherries surpassed only 
by Northstar and Meteor in quality and flavor. Hardy south and east 
of Minnesota where they bear consistently. 
PRICES Each 2 for 
voice dye oy NS Soh ES een ee $1.85 $3.55 
Sheol We ee ee aca eresGeGe OFS OF OEE G Geb CRCR OR INO © WOROsC aCe PROMO isis DOYS 
We pay the postage. 
[35] 
Northstar 
“Flavor was the Finest | Have 
Ever Tasted” 
The superb quality of Northstar is aptly described 
by Mrs. Walter Montfort who has spent most of 
her life in the heart of the fruit belt in Michigan 
She writes: 
Gentlemen: 
Having lived most of my life at Benton Har. 
bor, Michigan, and having been practically raised 
on cherry pie, I was most interested in getting 
some of the new Northstar pie cherries last sum- 
mer. I will admit that I was skeptical, and con- 
sequently was utterly amazed at the wonderful pie 
this cherry makes. I made the pie just the same 
as I did when using Montmorency cherries ex- 
cept that I used no coloring nor almond extract 
to bring out the flavor. When I cut the pie, the 
color was magnificent, being a deep rich cherry- 
red: and the flavor was the finest I have ever 
tasted in a cherry pie. In color and flavor North- 
star beats any Montmorency pie I have ever made. 
Yours truly, 
MRS. WALTER MONTFORT. 
Prof. T. S. Weir, Ass’t Supt. Minn. Fruit Breed- 
ing Farm Standing with the Original Tree of 
Northstar When It Was 11 Years Old 
