J. H. Shivers Plant Farms, Allen, Maryland 9 
BLAKEMORE 
The Blakemore is a U. S. Department of Agriculture cross of Missionary 
and Premier. This variety is very popular in the area where Klondyke and 
Missionary are grown. 
PLANT GROWTH: Blakemore makes a vigorous growth and should be 
kept thinned out for best results. The foliage is healthy and stands up very 
well during the entire fruiting season. 
SIZE AND QUALITY: The berries are very firm and will stand long 
distance shipping in excellent condition. It has become very popular with the 
Maryland growers because of firmness and keeping qualities if kept on the 
vine and also after picking. In fact, it will keep well on the vines several 
days should weather conditions delay the picking. The fruit is very light 
in color and very attractive. 
PRODUCTIVENESS: It is medium in size if the plants are preperly 
spaced, but when allowed to get too thick the berries will run down fast. 
In planting Blakemore be sure to have them properly spaced to about 6 
plants to the square foot. The fresh fruit is rather tart but is a favorite 
with the “cold pack”? men and is one of the best berries for canning. 
I saw your catalog and price list at my neighbor’s, so I am sending you an 
order for 1500 Bellmar Strawberry Plants. If you do not have the Bellmar, 
please do not send a substitute. 
March 1, 1954 Herbert Schultz st. Louis. Go: Mo. 
FAIRFAX 
PLANT GROWTH: The Fairfax makes a strong robust growth of per- 
fectly healthy plants. The plants are larger and spaced farther apart than 
the Dorsett. The leaves are large, dark green, and somewhat glossy. 
SIZE AND QUALITY: The berries average very large. In size and 
appearance they resemble the Chesapeake, having prominent yellow seeds, 
shiny almost polished surface which makes the berries very attractive to 
buyers upon reaching the market. Appearance alone will make the Fairfax 
bring top prices on the market. 
The berries are light when they first ripen but become dark when over 
ripe and are sometimes dark when they reach the market. This does not mean 
a state of decay for they retain their flavor and remain firm for several days 
after they turn dark. Buyers have learned that the berries, even though they 
become dark in color, hold their flavor and firmness. This has given them a 
high place on the market. From my experience you will not go wrong by try- 
ing Fairfax to see how attractive they are. It is a strong competitor for 
leadership and is gaining in popularity. 
PRODUCTIVENESS: The Fairfax will not make as many plants as 
Dorsett or Premier, but it is not subject to become too thick for a good crop 
of fruit. The fruit of Fairfax is larger than Dorsett but does not produce quite 
as many berries. The higher price received for berries the past seasons has 
caused a demand for this variety. It rates as ‘‘tops’” for the home garden. 
