River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1916-08-03
GOOD VARIETIES
OF STRAWBERRIES

What is the best variety of straw
berry?"
Like the small boys apple core,
There amt going to be one"
Experienced fruitmen are slow to
recommend any variety, or any two or
three varieties, as the best, for they
realize that no one variety does best
under all conditions. Certain var1-
cites, of course, are more capable of
adapting themselves to greater range
of conditions than others. AS re-
suit, these varieties can be found
growing over a wider range Of ter
ritory and under more varying con-
ditions than those less cosmopolitan
in their requirements. 1t does not
necessarily follow that such a variety
will therefore be the best for any par
ticular set of conditions; on the other
hand, there is a greater probability
that some less cosmopolitan variety
will be more profitable if the grower
only has the patience to determine
which variety best meets his cOndi-
tfOns.
Strawberries may be grouped into
two classes, those which produce their
fruit during the early summer, and
the perpetual ever-bearing kind, which
produce fruit from early summer until
cold weather prevents further produc-
ton. The former class is far the more
important at the present time, but the
ever-bearing varieties are becoming
| more popular as they are improved.
In order to determine which varie-
ties were most widely grown under the
varying conditions found in Wiscon-
sin, J. G.. Moore of the agricultural ex-
pertinent station canvassed some
20 growers. He found:
THAT, regardless of varying soil
conditions, practically the same varie-
ties are used in all parts of the state;
THAT Wisconsin growers are adher-
ing to the older varieties and their
attempts to get varieties better adapt
ed to their particular conditions are
either few or unsuccessful;
THAT the Bederwood is the most
popular Of the early varieties. Yet it
is far from an ideal early sort. 1t runs
small after the first few pickings and
is very inferior in color;
THAT the Senator Dunlap is second
choice as an early berry. This is
largely due to the fact that it is the
leading early sort in the northern part
of the state, as many growers in this
section named it as the best early as
In all others combined;
THAT growers do not agree so well
as to the best late berry. Sample,
Brandywine, Candy and Aroma head
the list in the order named. Eight
other varieties are named as being
among the best late sorts;
THAT no decision can be made as
to the best variety for different types
of soil. Each is grown on all types.
Of the four late varieties named Candy
has given poorest results on the heavy
clay soil at the agricultural expert
ment station. Sample has given best
results during a period of five years,
with very little difference between
the other two;
THAT the Senator Dunlap, Warfield,
Sample and Bederwood are the favor
ties for the main crop. Dunlap is an
almost unanimous choice, twenty
three out of twenty-four growers nam
ing it as one of the three best varie-
ties for this purpose. Warfield is a
good second choice, being named by
seventeen, while Sample and Beder-
wood have seven and eight respec-
lively. Pocomoke, Lovett, Crescent,
Aroma and Enhance come in order
named;
THAT Wisconsin, growers seem to
be doing little with new varieties.
Stevens, Heritage and Norwood re-
ceived the most favorable comment.
Superb appears to be the best new
eyer-bearing variety"