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2 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


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We hope you have had a prosperous year, and that you may have a still more 
prosperous one in 1925. 


Through Allen’s Book of Berries we want to renew acquaintance with all of 
our old customers and friends and to make acquaintance of many others whom 
we want to count as customers and friends before the year is out. 


It has been our aim to make this Book a dependable guide for strawberry 
growers, actual and prospective. You will note the contents by the index on the 
opposite page. In giving our reasons why we believe it will pay you to plant 
strawberries we have tried to be conservative. Our statements as to their value for 
the Home Garden have been proven over and over again. We stand ready to back 
up the things we have said about our plants in order to prove to those who do not 
know that they are a good buy. 


Of especial value, we believe, are our variety descriptions and reeommenda- 
tions. With varieties of our own introduction as with those of other growers, we 
give you the facts as we have found them. We appreciate letters like that one 
grower wrote us several years ago when Premier was just introduced. He said, 
“Premier is highly recommended, but I am going to see what The W. F. Allen 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 3 


Company says about it before I plant very many.” Premier has proven to be a 
wonder but most new varieties don’t. Mr. Joseph Shepherd of Sullivan Co., 
Indiana wrote us, ‘‘I am sending to you for strawberry plants because I believe 
you will treat me right. As you have described very accurately the varieties with 
which I am very familiar, I take it for granted that your description of the Chesa- 
peake is correct. I am well pleased with what you say about the Senator Dunlap 
and Dr. Burrill for it coincides with my experience exactly. I would not buy 
plants of a man who would say that the Dr. Burrill was twice as good as Senator 
Dunlap in every way, for he knows better if he has tested them side by side.” 


We want orders for plants of course. And if we can get the confidence of our 
customers and readers through fairness and honesty, we believe we can get their 
orders for plants too, don’t you? We enclose order sheet and return envelope for 


your answer. 
THE W. F. ALLEN COMPANY. 
This Book Contains 


Pages 
Strawbernye Growing Morse rote ee ea ore et as Ae A Lh he 4-6 
Sirawbernics Torches ke Oniew see perenne Steen ee CS IR Ree 7 
Cultimalo ict nod siya eee re i its 2 oe RO AOR Eee ek 8-9 
Goody Plants—WihatuilheyaeantinmeceGt a arc sl ee hc ee 10-12 
Biveroecaning OcrawleChlestee rei Pee aie ane eh a he eae ei eter ee 14-15 
Moneys Malki 0 RVanle ies irri RW ee hee, eee anes ts 16 
EixtrarliarlyeViaiietleseme agi Mer wet ete a ese ey we. es Gar cite ss 17 
| Bee) OOD (SI Br eR RAE el U NG at MAS Nes Sen ll Sr a FL OC A 18-19 
Meciumbbarky Vianietiestrr.. mee rarer reas one ek sec a aban $y aes 22-23 
Midseason Viale ties my een teas ret ey etc eee acts ot) orate yh eee Sct 24-25 
Chesapeake spscy yr eps ee NO ey Set te Be ac A sitee ee ps Buca laces 26-27 
TLLate Ware ties) € eee ek Se ELAS De a ODN Sg Uh eee 28-30 
Very: hate Marieties satrap er) eee ts anes Laie we beytie ce ME Ge hota pone 31 
Instructionsito ge inchasensseg ite nes riveg ie a ite cnc aoe a este 3 eed sleaseis. 2 33 
Wis; Order Marly irra ce ae beciy fase til aati: corde eed akan: oere 34 
Brice Aish: Seger ae ee Pade eehietin Sige Rn dae AO a LE ee 35 


FINEST PLANTS—PROMPT SHIPMENT 
Garrett Co., Md., April 18, 1924. 
Received plants today. They are sure the finest plants I ever saw. Thanking you for prompt 


shipment. 
H. C. PALMER 
THE PLEASURE IS MUTUAL 
_ Washington Co., Md., May 13, 1924. 
It affords me the greatest of pleasure to write you a few lines, just to tell you what I think of 
the strawberry plants. They landed in fine shape, got them planted a few days later, and they are 
growing fine. I will have to say they were the nicest plants I most ever saw. I am sure thankful and 
glad that I learned of you people soon enough to put in my little order this spring. 
JAMES R. REESE 
ALWAYS SATISFACTORY 
Kent Co., Md., Mar. 17, 1924. 
I am ordering some few plants for a neighbor and a few for myself also, as we always find 
plants bought of you have always proved satisfactory. Don’t think we ever lost a one. ; 
Mrs. Carroutu N. ELBURN 


IN THE PINK OF CONDITION TO CANADA 
New Brunswick, Canada, May 3, 1924. 


Strawberry plants arrived promptly and in the pink of condition. This season is very backward 
so I have heeled them in a V shaped trench, and from this present appearance, if they do not all 
grow, it will be no fault of yours. It is very ‘gratifying to do business with such honorable people. 
I appreciate the close attention you gave to my orders, in every detail they show the work of skill- 
ful hands. I would like to know you people personally, but as that seems quite impossible, I trust 
our business relations will continue to be as pleasant as in the past. W. C. ARNOLD 


4 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


Strawberry Growing For Profit 


We are not going to start off by telling you that everyone can make $1000, 
$1500 or $2000 per acre growing strawberries. These amounts have been made and 
probably will be equaled again, but we had rather be conservative and have you 
well pleased than promise wildly extravagant things and have you disappointed, 


As a matter of fact the strawberry crop did hold to high figures longer than 
any other crop we know of during the post war deflation. 


We do not believe it is possible for a man to plant a large acreage for fruit, 
25 or 30 acres, and “‘get-rich-quick”’. It is much easier to make $400 or $500 on 
one acre than it is to make $4000 or $5000 from 10 acres. 


There is money in growing strawberries for the man who will grow what he 
can handle and grow them properly. From one-fourth to one-half acre up to 5 or 
6 acres, according to circumstances, are the plantings from which growers can 
expect good profits—possibly not $1000 per acre, but still larger than is possible 
with most any other crop. 


Of course, large commercial growers who have plenty of land and plenty of 
help available and who can sell at an f. 0. b. market or ship in carloads, these 
growers can make money growing large acreages of strawberries. But most 
growers cannot do this and those who do do it do not get the profit per acre that 
the smaller grower does, who grows fancy fruit for a fancy market. 


The Roadside Market is being used more and more in selling fancy berries. 
The requisites of a successful roadside market are: First, a location on a good road 
where there is lots of travel. It is not necessary to have an elaborate stand. As a 
business grows it might pay to put up more permanent places but a good start 
can be made by having a table or bench under a tree by the roadside. Select a 
place far enough back so motorists will have room to get at least a part of their 
machines off the road and not obstruct traffic. At the same time have your place 
visible as far as possible down the road. Second, good fruit, attractively displayed 
and prices in keeping with quality. Third, advertise by putting an attractive sign 
at the stand and perhaps by putting a small ad in a local paper. 


_ We merely suggest the Roadside Stand as one more means of getting good 
prices for good fruit. It costs very little to try out this method of marketing your 
berries. This method is not adapted to plantings back off the main roads, 
although we have reports from some of our customers stating that their berries 


» have such a high reputation that buyers leave the good roads and buy them 
at fine prices. 


The old standby methods of selling berries at a profit are most suitable for 
many growers. A fancy retail trade directly with consumer or with retail stores, 
hotels, etc., is one of the best methods of marketing berries from a small acreage. 
Others haul by truck or ship to wholesale dealers who are willing to pay good prices 
for good berries. Growers who select the right varieties and grow fancy fruit can. 
practically always sell at a good profit. 


SATISFACTORY IN EVERY WAY 


Isle of Wight Co., Va., April 22, 1924. 
Plants arrived here Sunday A. M. They were satisfactory in every way. I never saw better 


rooted plants. If they do not turn out all right I will lay the cause to myself. Thanking you for your 
promptness in shipping, 


W. T. CHANDLER 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 5 


MISS ELSIE ARTZ MAKES 
IT PAY. 


Schuylkill Co., Pa., 1924. 


What is said to be a record yield 

- for strawberries in Pennsylvania 
_was reported for Schuylkill County 
today. Elsie Artz, a 13-year-old 
girl, grew 812 quarts of berries cn 
one-twentieth of an acre. This is the 
equivalent of more than 16,000 
quarts to the acre. As a member of 
the boys’ and girls’ strawberry club 
in Schuylkill County, Elsie planted 
375 plants of the Premier variety 
in 1923. The ground was prepared 
inthe best manner possible and tke 
bed weeded frequently and mulched 
with strawin the fell. Thissummer, 
the 812 quarts were picked and sold 
for $107.00. Accurate accounts 
were kept on the cost of growing 
the berries and Elsie’s book shows 
a cost of $30.00. This leaves her the 


Miss Elsie Artz and her fine bed of Strawberries handsome profit of $77.00. 
from Allen’s Plants 


The Demand for Fine Straw berries 


It is tremendous and growing larger all the time due to increase in population 
and by better methods of distribution both for fresh fruit and for preserved 
products. 


One reason for the tremendous demand for strawberries is that it is the earliest 
fruit grown. It comes at a time when folks are tiring of living out of tin cans and 
storage houses, and long for something fresh from the garden or field. This is one of 
the big reasons, we believe, why strawberries pay well even in a year of general low 
prices. 


The usual markets, hotels and restaurants, grocery and family trades, home 
canning and preserving always consume a tremendous quantity of strawberries, 
especially if the quality is good. Many people are learning that good fruit is a 
promoter of good health, and are demanding it one, two, often three times a day. 
Strawberries come when no other fresh fruit can be had. 


Commercial canning and preserving is consuming an increasingly large quan- 
tity of fruit. ‘And with sugar at a moderate price there seems to be no reason why 
this demand should not continue growing. We sell many thousands of quarts for 
this purpose each year. The beauty of this business is that small, overripe and 
sandy berries can be used for this trade, and thus keep the poorest fruit off the 
market. Fancy fruit never gluts a market. 


Fruit Juices are increasing in demand at soda fountains, the strawberry 
flavor being a favorite with many. This is another outlet for inferior fruit, allowing 
only the best to go on regular markets. 


Ice Cream factories are using strawberries more and more in their business. 
All of these needs must be supplied, and we believe at least a fair profit is sure for 
those who supply them. 


6 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


Big Joe—A Proven Money Maker = 


Before Deciding—Consider 


Before deciding whether or not you will grow strawberries consider that : 


1. A comparatively large income can be had from a small acreage. Premier, 
Big Joe and Chesapeake on rich land well cared for should yield 3000 or 4000 
quarts per acre. Can you sell them at 20c or more per quart? If so, there is $600 
to $800, with growing costs including plants, labor and fertilizer at not over $100 
to $200 per acre. If you work them yourself and have stable manure available, the 
cash outlay can be cut in half. ° 


2. No previdus experience is necessary. Follow cultural directions on pages 
8-9, watch and talk with your neighbors if any of them grow strawberries and use 
ordinary “‘horse-sense’’. We will be glad to help in any way we can. If there is any 
point you don’t understand in this Berry Book, write us and we will answer 
personally. 


3. Any good garden soil or one that will make good yields of other crops will 
grow strawberries successfully. 


4. Little money is needed to start. Besides the plants, a dibble or trowel for 
planting and a hoe or cultivator for working are all the equipment needed, once 
the ground is plowed. 


5. The returns from Strawberry Growing are quick and come early in the 
season. No other fruit produces a full crop in 13 or 14 months after planting 
and no other fruit crop comes as early in the spring. 


6. A Second Crop and sometimes a third almost equal to the first can be had 
at very little additional expense. 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 7 


7. Women Berry Growers are often among the most successful. No other 
crop is so adapted to being handled by women entirely as strawberries. Even 
where they are not running the berry business alone women take an active part 
in the work. It gives them a break in the routine of housework and affords an 
excellent opportunity to earn some extra money. 


8. Berry growing can be made a family business. A farmer with a family ean 
utilize the labor of his family at light, interesting work, and at a business which 
will pay well. The work is healthy, the pay is good, and the children can work in 
the open air and with their parents. 


9. The Boys and Girls can be kept on the Farm by getting them interested. 
A patch of strawberries, say }4 to 1 acre, will afford them pleasant, easy, intelligent 
work and at the same time will yield profit enough to keep them interested in the 
farm, a chance that doesn’t often happen, as most farm work is less remunerative 
than other lines of endeavor. 


10. Real Estate Values are increased by growing intensive crops like straw- 
berries. So much can be done on a small piece of ground, that often rich high 
priced land in and near cities and larger towns can be profitably planted to 
strawberries. 


11. As an intercrop between fruit trees, strawberries excel. The space can be 
utilized and made to pay with strawberries, while the trees are getting into bearing. 


Strawberries for the Home 


Everyone likes them, every family should have a strawberry garden, if there 
is a plot of land available, no matter how small. They will pay big dividends in 
health, pleasure and profits. The best berries are those grown in your own garden 
and picked fresh from the vines as you use them. They are delicious and the joy of 
having nice fresh berries for your own table every day fully repays for the effort 
required to plant and grow them. By using the everbearer Progressive or Cham- 
pion the berry season can be extended through the summer and early fall until 
freezing weather. 


Your grocery bill will be lessened by having your own strawberry garden. 
Not only do you save the cost of the berries you usually buy but you have more fire 
fruit than you ever use when you have it all to buy. You also save the cost of the 
other things that you don’t want or need, now that you have plenty of straw- 
berries. 


There are many ways of preparing strawberries. Eating them ‘“‘right off the 
vines” is popular with many folks. ‘‘“Sugared down” for some time to let the juice 
come out is a favorite—perhaps the favorite method of eating strawberries. 
Strawberry shortcake might well be called the national dish. Fresh berries are 
used in soft drink preparations, in punch, in ice cream, and in many other ways. 


Preserved strawberries are the most delicious of all the sweet foods we eat in 
winter. They are fine in conserves, marmalades, canned strawberries and straw- 
berry jelly. There are many ways to “do up’ ’ berries and enjoy them throughout 
the year. Do up a lot of them, they will help out wonderfully ‘‘when winter comes.”’ 


Extra money. Some extra money for the housewife or children can readily be 
had from the home strawberry garden. 500 to 1,000 plants will produce sufficient 
berries for a large family and leave a good many to sell. There will be a market for 
them. If you have room in your garden try a good big plot. It will pay. 


NOT A BAD PLANT IN THE LOT 


Roanoke, Va., April 19, 1924. 
I Pee my order of strawberry plants in first class condition. There was not a bad plant i in 


the lot. . TAYLOR 


8 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


CULTURAL METHODS 


Strawberries will thrive in a wide variety of soils and climates. They are 
grown successfully from Cuba to Canada and from Maine to California. They 
will grow in any type of soil that is not dry sand or waterlogged clay. They will 
often give good crops in soils that have had poor preparation. But, like other 
crops, they respond quickly to good cultivation and good soil. . 


One of the first essentials in producing a good crop of berries is plenty of 
moisture. Springy land that is well drained is therefore the best type of soil. A 
good garden soil that is full of organic matter will almost invariably produce a 
fine crop of berries. On other types water may be conserved by cultivation or 
mulching, and generally there may be enough natural rainfall at fruiting time. 
Any soil that will grow good garden or field crops will grow strawberries. 


Preparing the land. Potatoes, beans, tomatoes, cabbage and other truck 
crops usually leave the ground in excellent shape for strawberries. This is because 
they are kept well cultivated and free from weeds for a good part of the season 
and are usually well manured and fertilized. We have noticed that strawberries 
do well following cow peas or soy beans. If you can plant rye or some other winter 
covering it will keep the soil from leaching and afford humus to turn under in 
spring. Not much top growth from rye though, as the ground should be prepared 
and plants set as early in spring as weather permits. Mowing down a heavy growth 
of weeds (before they go to seed), or cowpeas or soy beans, or almost any crop, 
will protect the ground during the winter and leave it nice and mellow for spring 
planting. The soil should be constantly enriched by turning under green crops, 
legumes preferred. Avoid, if possible, sod land, as the white grubs winter over in 
such lands and cut off the young plants when set the following spring. If you 
have no other land available, plow the land in the fall, harrowing it as often as 
you can, and many of the white grubs will be killed out. 


In some sections where large acreage are planted, a small three furrowed list 
or row isrun up with a plow and then leveled off witharake or drag. This gives a 
nice soft planting bed, but unless the ground is quite moist, the rows should be 
run up two or three days before planting to allow the moisture to rise, and then 
rake off just before planting. Plowing, harrowing thoroughly, and marking off 
rows is the best for small fields and gardens. It is best for larger fields unless the 
grower is familiar with other methods that have worked well under his conditions. 


TIME TO PLANT 


Early Spring is the logical, natural, most successful and 
satisfactory time to set Strawberry plants. So don’t neglect 
setting some plants this Spring, thinking you can make it 
up by early Fall planting. It can’t be done. 


How early? Just as soon as weather permits getting ground ready. In the 
South, February and March and early April. In the Middle States, March and 
April. In the Northern States, April. 


Be sure to order early enough so that plants can be right at hand as soon as 
your ground is ready. Early setting pays big—the plants start quicker, grow better 
and make better beds than plants set late. 


When a plant grower in the latitude of New York or Massachusetts can dig 
plants, berry growers in those sections should be setting their plants. This is a big 
advantage we can give growers in those latitudes. We can dig and ship plants 
earlier and have them right at hand for early planting. Read testimonial page 31. 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 9 


Setting the Plants. Just before planting, the ground should be harrowed and 
made as level as possible. Then mark out the rows and you are ready to plant. 
There are a number of different methods of planting, but an ordinary garden 
trowel or a flat dibble are the best tools to use. Whatever tool is used try to have 
the roots of the plant spread out fan-shaped, and be sure to have the crown at the 
surface of the ground—not below nor above. Clipping the roots is not necessary 
nor helpful if you can get openings deep enough to have the roots straight when 
setting. It is better to have roots clipped a little rather than have them doubled up 
in the , ground. 


Manure and Fertilizer. The old saying ‘Tillage is Meares holds true for 
strawberries. Thorough cultivation is essential. 


Barnyard manure is the best thing to use for Strawberries. If used heavily on 
a crop just preceding strawberries, they get a maximum benefit-for the residual 
manure. It is fine to use broadcast on the land and disced into the ground before 
the plants are set. Coarse manure is also fine to put on fruiting beds in fall to act 
as both mulch and fertilizer. Green crops turned in help where manure is not 
available. 


Commercial fertilizer for starting young plants (either broadcast before plants 
are set or thoroughly mixed with the soil in the drill) should have 2-3 % of available 
nitrogen and 5-10% or more available phosphoric acid. If put in furrow under 
plants it is likely to injure the plants unless moderate amounts are used and that 
thoroughly mixed with soil. As a top dressing for fruiting beds in spring a 7-6-5 or 
4-8-4 fertilizer is most generally used in this section, although it has never been 
definitely shown that the crop is benefited by the potash. 


Perfect and Imperfect Varieties. Perfect flowering varieties planted alone 
will mature a crop of perfect fruit. Imperfect flowering varieties should have per- 
fect varieties planted with them, at least one row for every five or six. When two 
varieties are used in equal amounts, they are often alternated three or four rows 
of each. In our price-list, perfect flowering varieties are followed by ‘‘per’’—imper- 
fect varieties by ‘‘imp’’. 


Mulching. A mulch is applied for one or all of three reasons: First, to protect 
the plants from freezing and thawing of the soil in winter; second, to keep the soil 
cool and moist during the season when fruit is being produced; third, to keep the 
berries from being spattered with dirt by rain during fruiting season. 


The mulch should be applied in the fall. In the spring when plants begin to 
start this is raked’ to the center of the rows and there serves the purpose of retard- 
ing the growth of weeds and grass, keeping the ground loose and moist. and the 
fruit clean. Use coarse manure, marsh grass, rye straw or similar material. 


Green Manure Crops. In many sections where stable manure used to be plen- 
tiful and reasonably priced, it is now scarce and high priced. Green manure crops, 
properly handled, will take the place of stable manure very successfully. Sow soy 
beans or cow peas in late spring or early summer. We prefer broadcast sowing of 
these crops. Even though it takes more seed than row planting you do not need to 
cultivate and you get greater, finer and more evenly distributed crop of humus, 
including both tops and roots. Plow under in early fall and plant rye, wheat, or 
some other crops to hold the soil in winter. This fall sown crop should be plowed 
and disced very early in spring, however, to make room for early planting. 
Buckwheat in late summer makes lots of humus. Alfalfa, sweet clover, or in 
fact almost any crop that makes lots of humus, turned into the ground sometime 
ahead, leaves the soil in excellent condition for strawberry plants. 


How Far Apart. We recommend setting plants in rows 3% or 4 ft. apart. Set 
the plants from 18 to 24 inches apart in the row. Free growing varieties like 
Missionary, Dunlap, Marvel, Paul Jones, etc., should be set 24 inches apart. 
Varieties like Chesapeake, Marshall and others that do not make plants freely 
should be set only 18 or 20 inches apart in the row. 


10 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


SSSR NE Ss to eee es 


Good packing puts them to you right 


Good Plants—What They Mean 


Good plants may not always assure Success, but poor plants are practically 
certain to mean failure. We believe Allen’s Selected True-to-Name Plants are 
good and these are our reasons: 


1. Allen Plants are Grown Right. Good soil, plenty of organic matter, many 
of them grown in fresh new land. We encourage the young runners to take root 
just as early as possible to insure proper development and the fine root system for 
which our plants are famous. Clipping of the blossoms is another of the things we 
do to put more “pep” into our plants, by conserving the vitality that would have 
gone into the development of bloom and berry. Our young plants, except some- 
times Everbearing, are never allowed to bear fruit. 


2. Young Beds. All of our plants are dug from young beds. We never have 
dug and never expect to dig plants from old beds to fill our orders. 


3. Root System. Our plants are grown in a light, sandy loam soil. In this type 
of soil any plant can develop its root-system to the fullest degree. And, having a 
light soil, we can dig plants without breaking off any of the great bunch of roots. 
With plants grown in heavier soils, the roots cannot penetrate the earth and make 


IN FINE CONDITION TO DENMARK 
Ringhobing, Denmark, April 17, 1924. 


I acknowledge with great pleasure the receipt of the strawberry plants. They came to my hand 
the 12th inst., a couple of days after your letter had come, and they were in fine condition. 


JENS Kr. JENSEN 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 11 


the root-system they do here; and, even if they could, it would not avail in giving 
fine plants, as plants are not removed from heavy clay soil without breaking off 
many of the fibrous roots, the kind necessary to start plant growth. We repeat, 
the root-system of our strawberry plants is never bettered, seldom equaled. 


4, Allen’s Plants are Healthy. Our plants are healthy and vigorous as grown 
in the field. Furthermore, our plants are well-cleaned; the dead and decaying 
runners and old leaves around the stems are trimmed off so that it would be very 
hard to transmit diseases even if they were present. Plants that are sold at 
“bargain” prices of $2.50 or $3.00 per thousand are seldom well-cleaned. They 
must neglect this as well as many other things. 


5. Hardiness. Our plants are producing fine crops of berries in every state in 
the United States. We have numerous testimonials from Maine to California, from 
Florida to Michigan and from Vancouver to Nova Scotia in Canada. We supply 
many thousands of plants to Cuba and the Bermuda Islands. Wherever straw- 
berries are grown successfully you will find many of the most successful growers 
using Allen’s plants. They are hardy everywhere. 


6. True-to-Name. Don’t waste a year’s time and work growing your straw- 
berry patch only to find at fruiting time you have small, inferior berries instead of 
the large luscious profit or pleasure-giving berries you expected. We believe our 
reputation for sending out true-to-name plants is second to none in this country. 
It will pay to get plants vou know are true-to-name. We exercise the greatest care 
in keeping plants straight when planting. All our plants are labeled in the field 
when dug and the label is never taken from them until they are in the field or 
gardens of our customers. All plants are tied in bunches of 25 each and a printed 
wooden label is in each bunch. 


7. Grading and Packing. Our plants are dug fresh for shipment each day. 
Practically all of them are shipped out within 24 hours after they are dug. The 
plants are counted and bunched in our packing houses which have dirt floors. 
This prevents the wind and sun from drying out the roots, and the ditt floor also 
helps keep them fresh and moist. But the roots of all our plants are moistened 
before packing, which aids the plants in keeping fresh and ‘‘plump”’ in transporta- 
tion, rather than dry and withered. The counters are instructed to throw out any 
broken, immature, poorly rooted plants, and close supervision is given to see that 
this is done. Twenty-five good plants are in each bunch. The plants are packed in 
light, strong crates. The tops of plants are packed outside to give air and prevent 
possible heating. The roots inside are well packed in light sphagnum moss to help 
keep the plants and roots fresh and moist. Neatly tied bundles and well straight- 
ened roots make planting easier, cheaper, and better. 


8. Prompt Shipment. It adds something to the value of your plants to have 

them at hand at the proper time. We have the climate, the help, and the personal 
supervision and interest in our business that gets things done on time. We can 
make prompt shipment of your order. 


9. Personal Supervision. The service we render strawberry growers is 
three-fold. First, the care and attention we give to growing our Good, True-to- 
Name Plants, and the fact that we supply them at a reasonable price; second, 
after the order is received, the close supervision we give to every detail of preparing 
plants for shipment. This includes digging and cleaning, grading (throwing out 
inferior plants), counting (25 good plants to each bunch), bunching (plants and 
roots straightened out, making a neat bundle, so that plants handle easily and make 
planting quicker and better), packing, using the most scientific methods to insure 
plants reaching customers in thrifty growing condition. The third phase of our 
service is advice or information based on our 38 years of experience in growing and 
selling strawberries and strawberry plants. We will gladly answer any questions 


12 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


we can as to selection of varieties for your soil or climate, or-anything- connected 
with the cultivation, fertilizing, or marketing of your berries. 


Does not the fact that Mr. W. F. Allen and his three sons own the business 
and are financially interested and actively at work in carrying it on, make it 
likely that the things mentioned above will be better and more carefully done than 
if the business was carried on largely by “hired men’’? We believe the personal 
interest will be reflected in your results. 


Allen’s Selected True-to-Name Plants are your insurance against (1) under- 
sized, poorly rooted plants; (2) mixed plants; (3) plants dried out by exposure to 
sun and wind in handling; (4) plants received in poor condition due to improper 
packing and other things which detract from the value of Strawberry Plants. 


PLANTS O. K.—IN FINE SHAPE 


Dutchess Co., N. Y., April 28, 1924. 
I am very glad to write you and say the plants came through O. K. Put up in fine shape and 
I want to thank you for the quick response to my order. 


GOOD CARE AND PACKING 


Montgomery Co., Ohio, Mar. 21, 1924. 

Your plants arrived in the very best of condition, thanks to your good care in packing. The 

2,000 Cooper plants were wonderful and the 5,000 Eaton were fine and well cleaned. I have a fine 

patch of Eatons that will fruit this June. It was too late to order from you last year, so I got my 

plants from a well known Michigan firm. They were all black rooted plants and I lost over three- 
fourths of them after I healed them in before planting. They simply evaporated. 


JESSE A. PruGH 


WANTS HIS FRIENDS TO KNOW ABOUT OUR PLANTS 


Center Co., Ohio, Jan. 23, 1924. 
I am sending you a few names to whom I want you to send your catalog. I know something 
about your plants for I have used them! They are the best I ever saw come from any place. 


Cuar.Les E. NELSON 


WE WILL TREAT YOUR FRIENDS RIGHT 


Delaware Co., Ohio, May 2, 1924. 
The plants arrived in excellent condition. And want to thank you for your care in packing 
them, also for the promptness in shipping them. They are the finest plants I ever received. And it 
will be a pleasure to tell my friends. 
W. W. SHANK 


TELL YOUR FRIENDS—THAT WILL HELP 


Jefferson Co., Tenn., May 14, 1924. 
Ship me at once 500 Klondyke strawberry plants by parcel post. The Big Joe arrived in fine 
shape and every one of them are living and are the prettiest plants I have. Ordered some from other 
places before I heard of you and they are all dead. What price would you make me on 40,000 to be 
delivered next spring about the first of April? Any time that I can be of help, let me know and I 
will say “‘Hurrah for W. F. Allen Company’’. 
W. F. Spoon 


BEST ROOTS SHE EVER SAW 


Anson Co., N. C., April 19, 1924. 
I received my plants last Saturday and they are fine. Have the best roots I ever saw on plants. 
I want to thank you for such nice plants and for shipping so promptly. You will get my future 


orders. 
Mrs. T. H. Knorts 
ALWAYS FINE AND WELL PACKED 


Cumberland Co., N. J., Mar. 29, 1924. 


CLARENCE LASHER 


Your plants are always fine and well packed. 
Bert KEEN 


CAREFULLY PACKED—TO ENGLAND IN PERFECT CONDITION 


St. Neots, England, April 30, 1923. 
We have pleasure in informing you that the 500 Progressive Everbearing Strawberry plants 
arrived in perfect condition on the 7th inst. They were exceedingly well, and most carefully packed, 
and were quite damp when they arrived. 
Croxton Fruit Farm 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 13 


Fine Plants of a Fine Variety 


ALLEN’S PLANTS BEST FOR 10 YEARS 


Cumberland Co., Pa., Mar. 12, 1924. 


I have been planting W. F. Allen’s strawberries for past 10 years. They are the best rooted, 
strongest, healthiest plants I ever purchased. 
S. C. Smmpson 


COMING BACK—IT DOESN’T PAY TO SAVE THAT WAY 


Dauphin Co., Pa., Feb. 19, 1924. 


Please find enclosed order for plants. I am coming back. Last year I got them from a different 
party to save a few dollars, but I missed it. Your plants beat them, so I have come back to The 
W. F. Allen Company. 

A. W. KLINGER 


EXCELLENT PLANTS AND PROMPT DELIVERY 


Berks Co., Pa., April 9, 1924. 


Received strawberry plants the other day and they sure are in the very best of condition and 
root system of the best. Thanking you for your excellent plants and prompt delivery, I remain your 


customer for the future. 
CLARENCE J. Can NIEDA 


OUR DEALINGS FAIR—WILL NOT FORGET US 


Berks Co., Pa., May 1, 1924. 


Allow me to express my appreciation for your promptness in filling the order sent you last. week 
by mé, as I received the plants the other day and planted them the same evening. The plants were 
of very good stock, and Mrs. Schaeffer was delighted with the same. Accept my thanks for the refund 
of excess postage and as your dealings were very fair let me assure you that we shall not forget you 


should we be in need of anything in your line. 
Luoyp M. ScHAEFFER 


14 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


The Real Champion of the Everbearers 


EVERBEARING STRAWBERRIES 


The last berry of the season, the last peach, or the last of any fruit always 
tastes the best. Usually it is necessary to wait a whole year before the season for 
that fruit comes again. This was true of the delicious strawberry until the advent. 
of the Everbearing varieties. Now, however, it is no longer necessary to wait a 
whole year for more berries. They can be had in your own garden from mid-summer 
to freezing weather, long after the regular berry season is over. And it is not neces- 
sary to sacrifice quality either because the Everbearing berries are just as good as. 
ihe spring berries. For the home garden the Everbearing strawberry is indispens- 
able. 


As a money making proposition we do not recommend Everbearing straw- 
berries indiscriminately. Many of our customers report to us that they make big 
money from Everbearing strawberries, but we believe that in order to do this 
conditions must be just right. A good rich plot of ground and a local market that 
will take the fruit at from 30c to 50c per quart without the expense of shipping very 
far is necessary. 


Under good conditions one everbearing plant set in spring should produce 
about one quart of berries during the summer and early fall. They are grown just 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 15 


as other strawberries, except that after planting in early spring the blossoms should 
be kept cut off until about the first of July. Soon after they will commence bearing 
and continue until freezing weather. . 


Many varieties of Everbearing strawberries have been tested in our fields. 
Among those we have tested are Superb, Americus, Peerless, Rockhill, Perfection, 
Ideal, Lucky Boy and others. They are all so far inferior to Progressive and Cham- 
pion that there is no reason for growing them. We are following a policy of offering 
only the best varieties in cutting our list of Everbearers down to Progressive and 
Champion with one new variety, Kasota. 


PROGRESSIVE 


Progressive is the variety that really put the Everbearers on the map. It does 
well as a home garden proposition in all sections. It is the only Everbearer we 
have found that does well in the South. The berries are medium in size, not quite 
as large as we used to get from Superb and Peerless but it is vastly more productive 
and the berries are simply delicious in quality. If kept picked up close, the berries 
are firm enough to stand shipment short distances. Keep in mind that with the 
Everbearers you commence picking your crop of berries only a few weeks after the 
plants are set. If you and your family like strawberries, include some Progressive 
for your garden with the order this year. Perhaps it has done well enough so that 
you want to try a larger plot for market. If so, we will be glad to supply you some 
fine plants to start with. Price-list page 35. 


CHAMPION 


We believe Champion to be practically the same as Progressive. Many 
growers, in fact nearly all growers, are claiming that Champion, even though 
very similar in plant growth and in type and quality of the-fruit, is much more 
productive than Progressive. We do not claim that they are identical but they are 
so near alike there is very little advantage in planting one rather than the other. 
We have known of a few cases where Champion side by side with Progressive gave 
a larger yield of fruit. In tracing these cases out, however, it has usually been true 
that the Champion plants were brought in from another type of soil or climate 
whereas the Progressive were planted in the same soil and locality. We have noted 
for many years that a change of soil or climate will put added vigor into a plant 
for at least a year or more. ‘ 


Following up these same plants the second year there was apparently no 
difference in the yield of the two varieties. However, we have kept our stock 
straight and separate from the Progressive, getting it direct from the introducer. 
Champion is a fine Everbearer, and you will make no mistake to plant it. Price- 
list page 35. 

Kasota. A comparatively new variety. Not as productive as Progressive or 
Champion but seems to bear a few berries on all the plants rather than great 
quantities of berries on single plants. The berries are of good size and quality. 
Price-list page 35. 


MEANT JUST WHAT HE SAID 
Cumberland Co., Me., Feb. 14, 1924. 
I note in catalog that you used part of letter of Aug. 8, 1923. Trust it may do you some good 


and I meant just what I wrote you. Have had many strawberry catalogs this season, some prices 
lower than yours, but your prices strike me as low enough for the quality of plants you deliver. 


Gro. E. THompson 


FINEST PLANTS HE EVER PURCHASED 
Pike Co., Ky., April 26, 1924. 
My plants arrived in due time, looking fresh and good. Bound to confess they were the finest 
plants I ever purchased from any firm. 
A. N. Moutirns 


16 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


Money Making Varieties 


We have tried to make the variety descriptions in the Berry Book accurate ° 
and dependable. It is our opinion that there are too many varieties of berries 
being grown for best results. We are confident on our local auction market the 
growers would realize more money if only three or four instead of nine or ten 
varieties were grown. 


There has been during the last few years a wild scramble to introduce new 
varieties. Some of them are valuable, notably, Premier (Howard 17), Big Late, 
Eaton and Champion Everbearer. A great number of others like Magic Gem, 
Kelloggs Prize, Marvel, Delicious, Big Wonder, Shropshire, Ford, Judith, Bun 
Special, Perfection, Peerless, etc., may be good varieties and of some value in a 
few localities. But none of them are the best of their season and that, we believe, 
should be the test in introducing new varieties. Not are they good, but, are they 
better than the best we now have? ‘The varieties just mentioned have not 
measured up to the test and for that reason we are not recommending them. 


Old standard varieties ike Sample, Glen Mary, Dunlap, Haverland and 
Gandy with Aroma, Missionary and Klondyke in the South have stood the test of 
time. They are worthy and should be displaced only when others have proven 
themselves more valuable. 


For the man who wants great quantities of large, fancy 
berries of fine appearance and quality for home market or 
nearby shipment, we unhesitatingly recommend Premier 
for early, Bis Joe for midseason, and Chesapeake, Wm. Belt 
or Big Late for late. Read what we say of these varieties and 
get your order in early. You can not do as well with any 


others. 
$500.00 


In our 1922 Berry Book, we offered $500.00 in cash for 25 plants of an early 
variety that was better than Premier or equal to it if a midseason or late variety. 


; We received and tested 37 different varieties from 18 States. After fruiting 
them for two years, we realize even more clearly that there was nothing to come 
anywhere near Premier in all around value. The best new variety we received was 
a large late berry, imperfect blossoms. According to agreement we-paid Mr. John 
K. Willing, Nanticoke, Md., $200.00 for the 25 plants. This is a very good variety, 
much better than many now grown, but it is not equal to or better than the Best 
we now have, such as Premier, Big Joe, Big Late, Cheaspeake and Wm. Belt. 
For that reason we have no intention of introducing it. There are already too 
many mediocre varieties. 


FINEST PATCH IN THE WHOLE COUNTY 


Jefferson Co., Mo., Feb. 18, 1924. 


Have known that I owed you a letter of thanks for the fine plants I got from you last year. I 
believe I have the finest patch in this neighborhood if not in the whole county, and have been over 
a great deal of the county and have seen none better, if any as good, so am looking for a banner crop 
this year. I want to order some more plants. 

Sam Y. LEwIs 


WE HOPE SO, TOO 


Middlesex Co., Mass., April 24, 1924. 


Big Joe and Chesapeake landed in Lowell the 22nd on good time and in good health. Your 
people are sure prompt in delivery and hope to do more business next year. tse ye 
. G. Hitu 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 17 


Extra Early Varieties 


Excelsior. Probably the earliest strawberry grown. Blossoms perfect. Berries 
dark red in color, too tart to be of good quality, but they stand shipping well and 
are popular in some sections. We do not recommend Excelsior. It is simply out- 
classed by Premief. Price-list page 35. 


HOWARD NO. 17 (PREMIER) 


This berry is identical with Premier. We recognized this fact several years 
ago and said so in our catalog. It is now admitted by all growers of any standing 
who have tried them both out. We believe Howard No. 17 to be the best berry in 
the world without any doubt. For description, see Premier, Pages 18, 19. Price- 
list page 39. 

Judith. We fruited this berry last year. It is early, a little later than Premier, 
a strong, healthy grower. The berries are of good size, quailty and appearance. 
Judith is not a bad variety, but it is outclassed by Premier in every respect and 
we can see no reason for growing it when a variety like Premier is available. How- 
ever, we have some true-to-name plants for those who want to try Judith. Price- 
list page 35. 


Good True-to-Name Plants, Packed, Ready to go 


FUTURE ORDERS TO US. YOU WON’T BE SORRY 
Wayne Co., Mich., April 4, 1924. 


Received my plants in fine shape. Sure look like fine plants. Also received the return on my 
postage and wish to thank you for the same. Will be glad to give my future orders to the W. F. 


Allen Company. 
LEON GRAVES 


BETTER THAN OTHERS FOR SEVERAL YEARS 
Suffolk Co., N. Y., Jan. 7, 1924. 


I have bought plants from you for several years and have found them better than any I have 
bought elsewhere. 
H. L. Leex 


18 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


Typical Berries of Premier 


PREMIER (HOWARD NO. 17) 


Premier comes nearer to being a perfect strawberry than any variety we have 
ever seen. It has no weak points. From our own experience and from the reports of 
many of our customers, we recommend Premier as being the best early berry to 
plant on any type of soil and in any section of the Country except Florida. We 
have grown Premier on rich land and on poor, on light land and on heavy, in wet 
seasons and in dry, in seasons of many late frosts and in seasons where there were 
no late frosts and at all times Premier has outclassed other early berries. Each 
succeeding year demonstrates more fully that all we have said about Premier is 
true. For fear we will overlook some of the good points of this fine variety, we are 
going to list them. 

1. You don’t have to consider your soil. When grown on any soil and in any 
climate, Premier outclasses all other early berries. 

2. The plants are enormously productive, ripening early and bearing through 
a long season. No variety yields more quarts per acre. This is especially important 
where the land is limited and a maximum quantity of fancy berries desired. 

3. The berries are beautiful in appearance, having a uniform shape and a 
glossy, rich red color extending clear through the berry. 

4. The berries have a bright green cap which stays green to the end of the 
season even in dry weather. This is not oversize but just right to add the proper 
touch of beauty to the fruit. This results in greater beauty and a larger selling price. 

5. The berries are delicious in quality, equalled only by the very best ones 
like McAlpin, Big Late, Wm. Belt and Chesapeake. 

6. Premier berries are firm enough to stand shipment to distant markets in 
good condition. We have heard buyers at local shipping stations condemn Premier 
as being a poor shipper, saying it did not ship like Klondyke, and in a few minutes 
later when a load of nice Klondyke and another of nice Premier drove through the 
auction market, these same buyers would pay from 25c to $1.00 per crate more for 
the Premier. If kept picked up closely, Premier will come through a wet season 
with flying colors. 


CUBA 


Santiago De Las Vegas, Cuba, Nov. 22, 1923. 
I want to acknowledge the receipt of 4,000 strawberry plants. They arrived in excellent con- 
dition and are growing well. 


E. B. Jones 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 19 


The Best Ever 


7. Premier is a fancy early berry which makes it easier for commercial grow- 
ers to get pickers at the first of the season and keep them for late varieties, than if 
there were less desirable early berries, or none at all. 

8. Premier is the nearest frost proof of any variety we have ever seen. For 
two successive years nearly all other varieties except Chesapeake were very 
severely damaged while Premier came through with a full crop. We believe 
Northern growers: who have hesitated to plant early berries on account of late 
frosts can plant Premier and get by with a fine crop of fancy early fruit. 

9. The berries are of large size and hold their size well throughout their long 
bearing season. As every strawberry grower knows, size is an important factor in 
getline a good price. 

10. No variety has healthier foliage, and healthy foliage is essential in matur- 
ing a nice crop of fruit. The last two berry seasons here have given us extremes in 
weather. One was very dry and one very wet. In the dry year we had no rain 
during the entire picking season. That year most all of the varieties kept good 
foliage but were severely injured by the drought. And in a field that had nearly all 
the standard varieties and many of the newer ones like Eaton, Marvel, Delicious, 
Big Late, Big Wonder and others, Premier was not only the best early berry in the 
field, but discarding its early crop, it was better than any mid-season berry in the 
field, and discarding that it was almost as good as any late berry in the field except 
Chesapeake. The other year, which was one of the wettest strawberry seasons we 
have ever seen, a very large part of all the varieties rusted severely, and the size 
and quality of the crop produced was almost in direct proportion to the way the 
foliage resisted the rust. Under those conditions there were three berries that stood 
out above the rest of the field. Premier and Chesapeake were vastly better than 
any other berries, and Big Joe considerably better than any except Premier and 
Chesapeake. 

Summing it all up we would say that if you are going to grow strawberries, 
you can’t afford to leave out Premier. If you can make some money with other 
varieties you can make lots of money with Premier. Read on page 21 what some of 
our customers think of Premier. Price-list page 35. 


BEST EVER IN MEXICO 
Chihuahua, Mexico, March 31, 1924. 
The shipment of plants arrived the 15th, in very good condition, and they are now planted and 
looking fine. I consider your plants the best I have ever bought. 
CarLos J. Licon 


20 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925_ 2 


Read What Others Say 


PREMIER MAGNIFICENT ; 
Jefferson Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 1924. 


I am sending small order for plants. I want to include Premier. I fruited it last year. I think 
one of the most magnificent berries I have ever grown. I have been growing berries for 20 years. 
My customers praised it highly. I am going to try the McAlpin. Think Big Joe,-MeAlpin and 
Premier will be good enough for me. 


PREMIER A WONDERFUL EARLY BERRY 
Jefferson Co., Ky., April 7, 1924. 


Two years ago I ordered 250 Premier and 250 Gandy strawberry plants. They turned out fine, 
I never saw such large berries on the market in Louisville. They bore profusely. The Premier is a 
wonderful early berry, holds out so well. 
EK. C. Prizest 


SATISFIED FOR 27 YEARS. WE ARE PROUD OF THAT RECORD 
Westmoreland Co., Pa., Jan. 8, 1924. 


Please find enclosed our order for strawberry plants which you will please forward April 21st. 
This makes the 27th year we have bought plants from you. Satisfaction always keeps customers— 
which we have always got from you. 


MUCH PLEASED—NEIGHBORS ALSO 

Green Co., Wis., Aug. 9, 1924. 

I must say we are very much pleased with the different varieties of strawberry plants we have 
received from you, and also our neighbors to whom we gave your catalog, and who have sent for 
plants from you. Are also very much pleased with the plants you have sent them and the success 
they had with them. 


J. W. LEONARD 


BauGHMAN Bros. 


FRED GERBER 
THREE GENERATIONS USE ALLEN’S PLANTS 


Pinellas Co., Fla., Feb. 20, 1924. 

Have 15 acres of strawberries and want your catalog on strawberries. I am setting my place 

in fruit, my son is going to be with me to help to run the place. My father bought plants of you. 

His name is Jos. A. Seebolt, Buechel, Ky. I am on the same place and have bought from you for 
25 years, and my son will soon take the place. y 


PERFECT CONDITION TO CALIFORNIA 


Los Angeles Co., Cal., Apr.. 13, 1924. 

Your shipment of plants were received in perfect condition. They have been set out and now 
show 100% stand and making a wonderful growth. Four years ago we purchased some of your 
plants through the Aggler & Musser Seed Co. of Los Angeles, and they were the best we had ever 
seen of those varieties. These later plants are as promising and we wish to thank you for the quality 
of the plants as well as the way they were packed. 


JOHN H. SEEBOLT 


Louis W. RoBErts 


RS 


Mr. J. W. Shofstall, Westmoreland Co., Pa., cultivating his fine bed of Allen’s Chesapeake. 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 21 


Good Words For Premier 


PREMIER’S PERFECT GEMS : 

aaa Montgomery Co., Md., Feb. 4, 1924. 

I planted 300 berry plants which I purchased from you in the spring of 1922. The Premiers are 

a perfect gem. I was delighted with them for they produced like Jim Henry, were extremely early 
and of big marketable size. They were a joy to our household together with a few neighbors who 


shared them with us. 
G. EpwaRD SCHULTZ 


LARGEST BERRIES IN HIS SECTION—PREMIER WONDERFUL 
Berks Co., Pa., June 28, 1924. 


Strawberry plants that you shipped us April a year ago are doing very good. I have the largest 
berries in this section. The Premier is a wonderful berry. Big Joe and Chesapeake are very big and 
good yielders. We are very well pleased with our plants:and are doing good considering the cold 
weather when plants were received by me. They were frozen cold in the crate and not a one died. 

C. F. Maurer 
PREMIER, THE JACK DEMPSEY OF STRAWBERRIES 
St. Louis Co., Mo., Feb. 19, 1924. 

I was pleased to receive your catalog. Want to say the plants you shipped me a year ago were 
just fine. Premier is by far the best berry that I can grow. And all you say of Premier is right. I 
think it the Jack Dempsey of the strawberry patch. Am anxious to see what Chesapeake will do. 
The plant itself is just grand. Will recommend your service to any one wanting good plants. 

4. F. Moriock 
SHAKE. WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE WELL PLEASED 
Cumberland Co., Me., July 17, 1924. 


This is a letter from a much pleased customer who shakes hands across the way. A year ago 
I bought 1,000 Premier strawberry plants from you and this year have gained the name of raising 
the best berries and the biggest crop for the size of patch of anyone in this vicinity. Is it any wonder 
I am pleased? On a little less than an eighth of an acre I raised 1,200 quarts cf berries—berries that 
have gained a name for themselves. 
BrertTHa O. Corrin 
PREMIER CREATING A SENSATION—20 TO THE QUART 

D. C., June 7, 1924. 
I am now harvesting Premier strawberries from the couple of thousand plants bought from 
you in the spring of 1923. They are bringing the top price in the Washington Market, and are 
creating a sensation in the neighborhood where they are grown, which is in Prince George Co., Md. 
just outside the District of Columbia. A neighbor who bought his plants from Mic. at a fancy price 
said yesterday, “‘I thought I had some fine strawberries, but yours beat any I ever saw”. The fancy 
ones run about 20 to the quart, and the average about 40 or 45. I have several acres of the finest 
black woods mold soil, and am gettinglots of it ready for Allen’s berries which have fully justified 
the advice given me by a Pomological expert in the Department of Agriculture. ‘‘Allen of Salis- 
bury” is a good strawberry man, and you can trust him. . 

Linpsay S. PERKINS 

PREMIER LOOKING FINE 

Whatcom Co., Wash., Jan. 20, 1924. 
The Premiers I received from you last year were in good shape and are looking fine at this time. 


CuaAs. JOHNSON 


KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS AND WHERE TO GET IT 

Cherokee Co., Kan., April 26, 1924. 
Enclosed please find P. O. M. O. for one dollar, for which please send me by Parcel Post, 50 
Chesapeake strawberry plants. Years ago I sent to you for plants and I am sending again for I 

want the genuine Simon Pure Chesapeake plants and I know I will get them if you send them. 

Wo. C. Bruack 
CHESAPEAKE DOING WELL 

Oswego Co., N. Y., April 28, 1924. 


The Chesapeake all received in fine condition. They certainly are nice plants and they are 
doing well. 
PLacE Bros. 


LURED BY MUCH LESS PRICE. SAYS IT WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN 
Albemarle Co., Va., April 7, 1924. 
Strawberry plants received. Will first say that I am more than pleased with them and regret 
to the bottom of my heart that | did not place my entire order with you, but was lured by a much 


less price and got stuck on 6,500 with another concern, but it will never occur again. 
J. C. OLLIVER 


22 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


IAS 


Klondyke, the great Southern Market Berry 


Medium Early Varieties 


Cooper. This variety has been highly recommended, especially among Michi- 
gan plant men, as being a most wonderful new variety. Their reports indicate that 
it is an especially hardy, healthy grower, that it is immensely productive of the 
biggest berries grown, that it is the sweetest and highest quality strawberry of 
them all, and that it will bring more money on any narket. We have fruited the 
Cooper only one year. Judging from the plant growth last year and the growth 
our young plants have made this season, the introducers and other plant men are 
right in saying that Cooper is an especially strong, vigorous grower. It is in fact 
one of the most vigorous growers we have ever seen. 


The one season (1924) that we have fruited Cooper was very wet, and under 
these conditions the plants set a large crop of berries and some of the berries got 
to be quite large, but the plants rusted so badly that only a small percentage of 
the crop was matured. The berries we did get were of fair quality, not as good as 
Chesapeake, Big Late or Wm. Belt. Perhaps in a dryer season Cooper would do 
better. We cannot see, however, why it should take the place of Premier. 


Dr. Burrill. We have tried for several years to find some difference between 
this variety and Senator Dunlap. We have ordered stock from the introducer two 
or three times and planted beside Senator Dunlap. The introducer insists that 
there is a difference, but we maintain that if so it is so slight that there is no point 
in planting one rather than the other. We have many letters from fruit growers 
agreeing with us on this question. We have a few that say Dr. Burrill seems to be 
better, and a few others claiming that Senator Dunlap is better. We believe any 
difference found will be due to a difference of soil or treatment rather than the 

variety itself. However, we are keeping our stock absolutely separate and our 
orders for Dr. Burrill will be filled from the true strain of the Dr. Burrill obtained 
from the introducer. It is a wonderfully strong grower. The berries are medium in 
size, fairly good shippers and excellent for canning and table use. The blossoms 
are perfect and strong pollenizers. Price-list page 35. 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 23 


Klondyke. The leading market berry of the Southern States. The reasons 
it isso liked are many. The plant is a vigorous grower and quite healthy. It bears 
a good crop and the berries are medium to large in size, ripen evenly-all over and 
are rather light in color and most important of all, are firm enough to ship hun- 
dreds of miles and still go in market in perfect condition. Not a home-garden, or 
local market berry, but one of the best for shipping. Price list page 35. 


Lady Corneille. A vigorous growing, medium early variety of the Missionary 
type. Lady Corneille has been grown mostly in the sections where Nick Ohmer, 
Klondyke, Missionary and Aromaare popular. Blossoms perfect. Price list page 35. 


Missionary. A good standard medium early market berry for sections having 
long distances to ship. It is the most widely grown variety in Florida. The fancy 
berries we see on the Northern markets selling at high prices about Christmas 
time are largely Florida Missionary. This variety will do well on any kind of soil, 
but it is especially adapted to light, sandy soils where a productive variety is 
needed and where berries must be shipped some distance. Price list page 35. 


Senator Dunlap (Dr. Burrill). Probably the most widely grown berry through- 
out the country north of the Mason and Dixon line, unless it is Premier. Senator 
Dunlap is universally a favorite. It does well on any type of soil in any locality. 
The plants are rather small and on rich land should be kept thinned somewhat to 
secure best fruit. They have long fibrous roots which make them good drought 
resisters. Berries medium to large in size, bright, rich red clear through and of fine 
quality. The blossoms are perfect and produce a lot of pollen making Dunlap one 
of the best to plant with Haverland, Paul Jones or 
Warfield. For the inexperienced grower Dunlap is 
safe. For the experjenced grower Dunlap is one 
of the best, if not the 
best, of the medium 
early varieties. It 
has been tried and 
found worthy. Price 
list page 35. 


Senator Dunlap, Medium Size, vigorous and productive, easy to grow 


24 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


o> Sa 


Big Joe— Bound to sell well 


Mid-Season Varieties 
BIG JOE (JOE JOHNSON) (JOE) 


Premier and Chesapeake stand out unquestionably as the best early and best 
late varieties that we have. Big Joe as a mid-season variety is a worthy running 
mate for the other two. It is one of the best money makers we have, especially for 
local or nearby markets or where the shipping distance is not too great. Big Joe is 
a vigorous grower and very productive. A large bright green cap on the berry 
makes them very handsome and very attractive. Market gardeners who retail 
their berries, those who sell at the farm or roadside markets, or in fact for any one 
who can get a premium for large, handsome, high-quality fruit should include 
Big Joe in their plantings. It is a strong pollenizer, making it valuable to plant 
with imperfect flowering late varieties such as Haverland, Paul Jones, Big Late 
and Sample. Whether ordering for home garden or market, don’t fail to include 
Big Joe in your order. Premier, Big Joe and Chesapeake make a fine team. Price 
list page 35. 

Abington. An old standard most popular in Massachusetts and other parts of 
New England. Berries large, good quality. Blossoms perfect. We think Big Joe and 
Eaton are both much better than Abington. They are about the same season. 


Delicious. We fruited Delicious in 1923, a very dry picking season, and in 
1924, a very wet picking season. In neither year did it prove of any particular 
value. In the dry year it was almost a total failure as far-as fruit is concerned. In 
the wet year it was better, producing some good size, fairly good looking berries 
although they are not particularly attractive in shape. The quality is fine, almost 
as good as Wm. Belt and Big Late. There may be conditions where Delicious will 
make good, but we believe a new variety to be worthy of introduction should be 
superior to the older varieties of its season. With us there is no reason for planting 
Delicious when varieties: like Premier, Big Joe, Eaton, Chesapeake and Wm. Belt 
are available. Price list page 35. 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, .MD. 25 


Eaton. After two years trial we find Eaton to be the best of all the newer 
varieties. With us under dry conditions one year and wet conditions the next it 
was ahead during both years of Marvel, Delicious, Big Wonder, Cooper and 
Shropshire. It is a vigorous grower, very productive, berries large size, beautiful 
red clear through and they show up well in the package. We have some nice plants 
of this variety and we believe it would be well worth trying. 


Ekey (O. I. C.). A vigorous growing variety that is fairly productive, of good 
size, good quality berries. They resemble in shape Haverland and Paul Jones but 
are somewhat darker in color. We have some nice plants for those who want it, 
but we would advise planting Premier instead. Premier will give a good crop of 
early berries before Ekey starts and still give as many berries that will average as 
large in size as the Ekey. Price-list page 35. 

Glen Mary. In the Middle and Northern States where Glen Mary is at its 
best, probably no variety of strawberries will produce more quarts per acre. The 
berries are large, firm enough to ship, of handsome appearance and good quality. 
Glen Mary is a strong grower and produces an abundance of foliage. The blossoms 
are about half perfect, but carry enough pollen for their own fruit. However, we 
believe the size and quality of the berries can be increased by planting a few rows 
of some strong pollenizer, such as Big Joe. 


Gold Mine. A vigorous grower and quite productive of large, bright red ber- 
ries of good quality. Gold Mine is not a bad variety, but there is really no reason 
for planting 1t with a variety like Big Joe or Eaton available. Price list page 35. 

Haverland. A popular old standard. The fruit is of large size, rather light in 
color and firm enough to stand shipment in good shape. Blossoms are imperfect 
and exceedingly hardy, making it very desirable where late frosts are likely.. 
Dunlap, Big Joe and Eaton are all good to’ pollenize Haverland. The plants should . 
be well mulched as the fruit stems are not able to hold the immense loads of 
berries off the ground. Haverland becomes very popular in certain sections that 
are especially adapted to it. It is being displaced in some sections by Premier and 
Big Joe. Price list page 35. 

Marshall. This variety is an old favorite that requires very good land and 
close attention to grow properly, but where this is done the results fully justify the 
time and trouble. The plants are healthy and produce a good crop of large size, 
attractive appearance and high quality berries. It is especially popular in the 
North Atlantic and New England States. Price list page 35. 


Paul Jones. Except possibly Premier, Paul Jones is the most productive berry 
we have. It is a very vigorous grower and makes a strong, healthy plant bed under 
almost all conditions. During the past few years since the war where almost any 
kind of strawberries would bring good prices and quantity was the most important 
thing, Paul Jones was quite valuable. It will produce tremendous crops of medium 
size, dark red berries fairly good looking and fairly good in quality. It should be 
fruited with Big Joe, Senator Dunlap or McAlpin. We believe, however, that to 
get the greatest satisfaction and profits from your berry plantings, it would be 
better to plant the larger, fancier berries such as Premier for early, Big Joe or 
Eaton for mid-season, and Chesapeake, Big Late, McAlpin or Wm. Belt for late. 
We have a nice stock of Paul Jones plants and they sure do fill the boxes. Price 
list page 35. 

Shropshire. We fruited this variety this year for the first time. As stated in 
describing other varieties, the season here was very wet. Shropshire rusted quite 
badly. It had made a heavy plant bed which gave promise of setting a heavy crop 
of fruit, but, like the Marvel, we don’t believe they would ever get large enough 
to be of any value. We have a few true-to-name plants for anyone who wants to 
try it. Price list page 35. 

Warfield. Has been very popular as a canning berry. A vigorous grower, a 
persistent plant maker, very productive. Berries of medium size, rich flavor and 
highly colored. Blossoms imperfect. Plant with Dunlap. Price list page 35. 


26 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


CHESAPEAKE 


This is the best late berry ever introduced and is the only worthy running 
mate for Premier that we know of. Chesapeake will outship and outsell any 
strawberry ever put on the market. There are so many good points to Cheaspeake 
that we are going to list them in order so as not to miss any. 


1. The berries are large in size and hold up their size well to the end of the 
season. With about 40 of the leading varieties growing this year our Chesapeake 
averaged larger in size than any other variety we had, even larger than Big Joe 
and lots large than Cooper much heralded as a fancy large berry. The Cooper 
were right beside the Chesapeake. 


2. The quality is of the very finest. No other varieties except possibly Wm. 
Belt and Big Late equal Chesapeake in this respect. It is delicious. 


3. The berries are firm enough to stand shipment to distant markets. In fact 
it will ship better than any other large berry we have ever grown. On our local 
auction markets solid carloads of Chesapeake will often bring $2.00 or $3.00 per 
crate of 32 quarts more than any other variety. 


4, Due to the beautiful appearance, size, quality and firmness of the berries, 
they will outsell all other varieties. 


5. Unlike Premier which will do well on all types of soil, rich or poor, Chesa- 
peake needs land that has been well manured and it needs good care. Given these 
it will produce just enough strong, heavy rooted plants for a good fruiting bed. 
Chesapeake produces a medium number of large, strong plants rather than great 
quantities of small ones. It is hard to-get great numbers of plants. That is the 
reason why many plant men do not push this variety, and the plants for the same 
reason can never be cheap as compared to Dunlap or Paul Jones, but the results 
are well worth paying a little more in order to get true-to-name Chesapeake. 


6. Next to Premier Chesapeake has the healthiest foliage of any variety on 
our list. During the very wet picking season of 1924, Chesapeake and Premier 
were the only varieties we had that were almost entirely free from rust. They both 
produced a fine crop and were the only ones that did. Big Joe and Big Late ranked 
up well among all the other varieties in condition of the foliage and crop produced. 


7. Almost frost proof. Premier withstands frosts on account of its very hardi- 
ness. Chesapeake, a late variety, almost always avoids frosts because it blooms very 
late, later than other varieties of the same season. Our attention was first called to 
this habit of late blossoming by the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, 
at Geneva. 


8. When canning or preserving, Chespeake will retain the shape and flavor as 
well or better than any berry we have ever tried. 


9. The plants are very productive. They do not set enormous numbers of 
small berries but they do set plenty for a fine crop, and for this reason they can 
size them up better and hold the size throughout the season better than if large 
numbers of small berries were set which are never matured. 


10. Chesapeake is a money maker. As Mr. Albert Reynolds, of Chester 
County, Pa., said you don’t have to pick so many to get a dollar. Chesapeake will 
sell for big prices when the demand is strong and it will sell for good prices when 
many other varieties will not sell at all. Take good care of Chesapeake and they 
will take care of you. Price list page 35. 


Fendall. An imperfect flowering variety that produces big crops of good size, 
good quality berries. They are not firm enough for shipping, irregular in shape and 
not especially attractive in appearance. Our recommendation would be plant 
Big Late, Aroma, Wm. Belt or Chesapeake rather than Fendall. Price list page 35. 


/ 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 27 


Chesapeake— 
Matures every berry 


OUR PLANTS BETTER THAN HIS OWN 

Lancaster Co., Pa., Mar. 22, 1924. 

Just a line to let you know that we want more strawberry 

plants. We got a lot of your plants last spring and planted them 

and they look very nice. We planted some of our own plants beside 

yours and there is a big difference; ours did not all grow and those 
that did grow are not as hardy as yours, those of yours alate: 

EVI Esu 


HIS MONEY’S WORTH—AND MORE 
Belknap Co., N. H., May 1, 1924. 
As there are so many people in this part of the country looking 
for something for nothing, I honestly think you should advertise 
more freely here. For, when any person can get such plants as 
you sent me for the small amount I sent you, and have them arrive in the finest condition, they 
certainly are getting something for nothing. 


WALTER D. GASKELL 
WELL SATISFIED—NICE PLANTS WITH LONG ROOTS 
Tulare Co., Cal., April 23, 1924. 
I received the strawberry plants last week in good condition. They were so well packed and in 
such fine and nice. shape. I tell you I am very much satisfied with such nice plants which have such 
long roots. Now some have already two or three leaves. 


O. K. AS USUAL 


Louis Pointer 


New Haven Co., Conn., April 22, ’24. 
Received the strawberry plants today. They were O. K., as usual. J. A. Smite 


28 ALLEN’S BOCK CF BERRIES—1925 


Late Varieties 


Aroma. The leading fancy market berry in many sections. Vigorous grower, 
very productive. Berries large in size, rich in color and of fine quality. A handsome 
bright green cap increases the beauty and selling price of the berries which are very 
firm and will carry to market in excellent condition. Blossoms perfect. In many 
sections where large quantities of berries are shipped the Aroma is the only variety 
grown. It is a good one to plant with Sample and other imperfect flowering vari- 
eties of its season. Aroma has made many a dollar for those who grow it. 


Big Late. This is one of the very best new varieties introduced in recent years. 
In productiveness it ranks at the top with Premier and Paul Jones. In quality 
only the very best varieties like Chesapeake and Wm. Belt equal it. The plant is a 
very vigorous grower with long heavy roots, making it very valuable in a dry 
season. In a wet year it resists rusting very well, equaling Big Joe in this respect 
and surpassed only by Premier and Chesapeake. The berries themselves average 
large in size. The berries have prominent seeds like the Chesapeake. The surface of 
the fruit very glossy. Taken altogether, it is one of the prettiest berries we grow. 
It is a good shipper and either for home market or distant market it is one of the 
best varieties to plant. The blossoms are imperfect and should be fruited with 
some variety like McAlpin or Big Joe. Price list page 35. 


Big Wonder. A new variety fruited by us in 1923 a dry year and 1924 a wet 
one. Both times this variety has been found wanting. The plant growth is strong 
and vigorous. It is not especially productive and the berries that are produced are 
irregular in shape with a rather dull color. It is fairly good in quality but not firm 
enough for shipping. We have a nice stock of plants for those who want to try it, 
but our recommendations would be to plant Big Joe or Big Late instead of Big 
Wonder. Price list page 35. 


Bun Special. A strong, healthy grower which we fruited in 1923 and 1924. 
It sets a tremendously large crop of fruit and the berries are shaped somewhat like 
Premier and average about medium in size. It is inclined to run down toward the 
end of the season. Doubtless Bun Special may be a good variety under certain 
conditions, but our experience with it would not permit us to recommend this 
variety to anyone when varieties like Big Joe, Big Late and Chesapeake were 
available. For that reason we discontinued growing this variety. 


Gibson. Berries large, beautiful dark red in color, vigorous grower and very 
productive. Bears through a long season, grows well almost everywhere and is very 
popular for canning. Not a shipping berry, but its high quality makes it very good 
for home garden or local market. 


Lupton. A large, very handsome berry and an excellent shipper. The berries 
average about as large as Chesapeake, almost as good a shipper, very attractive in 
appearance but only fair in quality. As quality is not especially important in a 
shipping berry, we at first thought Lupton might take the place of Chesapeake on 
soils that were not well manured and where they had difficulty in getting a good 
bed of Chesapeake. After several years trial we have concluded that it is no easier 
to grow Lupton than Chesapeake, and that while Lupton is a good variety, it is 
not as good as Chesapeake. For one thing, the foliage is nowhere near as healthy 
in a wet year. We have some nice plants for those who want to try them. Price list 
page 35. 


Marvel. Makes more plants than any variety we have. Fruited by us in 1923 
a very dry year and 1924 a very wet one. A tremendous crop of berries set both 
years. In the dry year practically none were matured; in the wet year nearly all 
were matured but they were so small that they were worthless for shipping, and 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 29 


Big Late ranks at the top 


even the canning house man turned us down on them. The ground was good and 
Faton right beside Marvel produced a fine crop of nice, large berries. From our 
experience, the only good things we can say of Marvel are that it grows like weeds 
and the berries are solid. We cannot recommend it. We have a fine stock of plants 
because it always grows plants freely. Price list page 35. 


McAlpin. A very vigorous grower that will do well on light poor land, but also 
responds wonderfully to richer land and greater fertility. Will grow anywhere. 
The berries are medium to large in size, brilliant scarlet in color and unexcelled in 
quality. After a heavy rain during picking time the McAlpin will have less sand 
and dirt on the berries than any variety we know. This is important, especially 
where mulching materials are scarce and high priced. Its excellent quality makes 
McAlpin a good one for the home or local market. It is also an excellent shipper, 
bringing top market prices. Beautiful in appearance, very productive and unsur- 
passed in quality. McAlpin planted with Big Late, makes a dandy combination 
and one that has made money tor us the last few years. For vigor, quality, pro- 
ductiveness and all-round merit, McAlpin is hard to beat. The one weak point of 
oe is that the foliage rusts considerably during a wet season. Price list 
page 35. 


New York. This is the sweetest strawberry grown. The plant is a vigorous 
grower. The foliage is very healthy and the plants are quite productive. The ber- 
nies are medium to large in size, dark red in color, and as stated above, the sweetest 
strawberry grown. It is the only strawberry we know that is sweet before it gets 


nipe. It is a favorite with many for the home garden. Price list. page 35. 


30 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


Parsons Beauty. Same description as for Gibson. Both varieties produce a 
great quantity of berries that are very high in quality and attractive in appear- 
ance. They are rather dark in color and part easily from the cap, making them very 
fine for canning and preserving. Price list page 35. 


Sample. Another old variety that has stood the test of time and still ranked 
by many as the best late strawberry grown. The berries are uniform, bright red 
in color, large in size, delicious in flavor and very attractive in appearance. 


Sample is enormously productive and does well on a wide range of soils. How- 
ever, it seems to be most popular in the Middle and Northern States. It is-a very 
hardy variety and nearly always produces a crop. The blossoms are imperfect and 
Aroma or Big Joe should be planted with it. Price list page 35. 


Wm. Belt, unsurpassed in quality 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 31 


Wm. Belt. On most markets the size and appearance of strawberries determine 
the selling price, but where quality is counted in addition to large size and hand- 
some appearance, Wm. Belt should be grown. This variety is the standard of 
excellence for quality. The berries. average large in size, somewhat irregular in 
shape as shown in the picture, but they have an attractive cap and the berries 
themselves are a bright glossy red which makes them very handsome. This variety 
does best in the middle and Northern States, and whether used in the garden for 
local market or nearby shipping, Wm. Belt is a friend to the strawberry grower and 
on account of its quality an even better friend to the strawberry consumer. 
Many growers are using Wm. Belt to extend the season after Chesapeake, or to 
take its place where they have tried Chesapeake and found the land not suited to 
that variety. Price list page 35. 


Very Late Varieties 


Gandy. One of the oldest and best varieties. It ranks as a leader among the 
fancy shipping berries. Gandy does best in black swamp land or on springy land 
that is not too sandy. Gandy is the only late shipping berry that equals Chesapeake 
in size, attractiveness, and shipping qualities. It usually sells about with Chesa- 
peake but is not as good in quality or as productive. Price list page 35. 


Kellogg’s Prize. A berry of the Sample type although somewhat later. We 
have grown this variety for several years and in only one year out of many has it 
produced a good crop. That year it was fine, but it has been so erratic that we 
cannot recommend it. We would plant instead Big Late, Aroma, Chesapeake, 
Wm. Belt or Gandy. The blossoms are imperfect and should be planted with 
Aroma, Wm. Belt or Gandy. Price list page 35. 


King Wealthy. Fruited by us last year for the first time. The season was wet 
and the plants were completely covered up with rust so that we got practically no 
berries. It might do better in a dry season. Price list page 35. 


Orem. This is the very latest berry we have. The berries average large in 
size, are good quality and of handsome appearance. They sell especially well 
because they come after all other fancy late berries are past their prime. Wm. Belt 
is not quite as late as Orem, but it is easier to grow and the berries are better. We 
had just about as soon have Wm. Belt for a very late berry as the Orem. 


Steven’s Late Champion. Has been very popular in New England and in the 
Northern States. It ripens very late but the berries are inclined to be white-sided 
and if the season is damp to rot on one side before the other side ripens. It blooms 
late making it hardy and almost immune to late frosts. Price list page 35. 


OUR PLANTS HAVE TWO WEEKS START OF NORTHERN PLANTS 
York Co., Maine, Jan. 5, 1924. 


Last spring we received of you four varieties of strawberry plants as a trial order. We had been 
told that we could not have them sent so far and still do well. But the Premier and Howard 17 did 
so well we had more plants live than what we had paid for, or over 100 %. Ilike your plain, straighte 
forward, honest description of varieties, good pack and liberal count. While I can say this in all 
earnestness, I still wish not only you, but that all who put out catalogs of berries and fruit would 

0 more i j inti 
g nto detail of description. April 18, 1924. 


Plants arrived O. K., (56 bunches). They look fine, especially Howard 17. They arrived at a 
bad time (stormy) and tomorrow being Sunday, but we wet the roots and repacked. These Howards 
are even better than those you sent me last year, and I only lost one or twolast year at that. If 
_ these last do not live, it will be on account of the storm coming just at time when I ought to put 
plants into ground. These cost me delivered parcel post, a trifle less than 34 of a cent each. The 
Northern nurserymen have been claiming it was not practical to have plants shipped from so far 
south. But in this case your plants are here, while these same men cannot deliver theirs evenin the 
See eee nuctis. It must needs be that your plants will have at least two weeks growth 
ahead o 

ees rendy- J. F. Brinces & Sons 


32 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


Good Plants of Big Joe 


FOUND OUR PLANTS SUPERIOR TO OTHERS 
York Co., Maine, May 4, 1924. 


Received the berry plants May 3rd, 1924, in fine condition and very much pleased with them, 
and also thanking you for remittance of thirty-seven cents. Received a few plants from other berry 
growers in Michigan, and must say that your plants and packing in every respect was superior. 
Thanking you for prompt shipment, I remain, and wishing you best of success this season. 


Frep A. FULLER 
FINE PLANTS 
Osceola Co., Fla., Feb. 16, 1924. 


Received the 2,000 Missionary and 500 Premier today in excellent condition. They are fine 
plants; if they are not a complete success it will not be the fault of the plants. 
EK. L. Last 


ON TIME AND IN FINE CONDITION 
New Castle Co., Del., April 17, 1924. 


Enclosed please find my check for $7.63, for strawberry plants which I received punctually, 


_on time and in fine condition. 
JosEpH N. GRANDHOMME 


WELL PLEASED WITH McALPIN 
New Castle Co., Del., Apr. 28, 1924. 


Am sorry I have failed to get my order in sooner. Let me state the McAlpin can’t be beat. We 
grow only a small patch; every one who gets them to eat pronounces them the berry. 


Jas. S. Lumps 


ALWAYS SATISFIED IN VERMONT 
Windsor Co., Vt., July 29, 1924. 


I never had such a nice .crawberry field as this year. I had about 700 plants of the Premier 
and got 450 baskets of berries. I have sent you several orders in last few years and I am always 
satisfied with your plants. 

Frep L. RIcE 


we 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 33 


Instructions to Purchasers 


Order At Once, as soon as convenient after receiving this catalog. Late in the 
season we may be sold out of some varieties, but if ordered early the plants are 
reserved for you, to be shipped at proper time for planting. This is especially 
important this year when high prices for berries have made such a big demand for 
plants. Reports we have from growers all over the country indicate that the crop 
is very short. To be doubly sure of getting just what you want when you want it, 
ORDER EARLY. Read “Time to Plant—Important,” page 8. 


Remit by Money Order, Register.d Letter, or Bank Draft, Postage Stamps 
will be accepted for the fractional parts of a dollar, the larger denominations pre- 
ferred. Foreign customers will please send Money Orders on Salisbury, Maryland, 
or Bank Draft payable in New York. 


Write Plainly. Fill in all blanks on the sheet, as they are necessary for proper 
shipment, especially your name and address. When writing in reference to an 
order, give its number.and give your name the same as was sent on the order. 


Time of Shipment. We commence to fill fall orders Nov. 1st, and ship all 
winter to sections where the conditions are suitable for fall and winter plantings, 
as in California and some parts of the South. Early, Spring, March and April, is by 
far the best time to set strawberry plants in the middle and northern states. Our 
shipping season ends May Ist. We will, however, fill a limited number of orders 
in the first and second week of May and put them in the best possible condition, 
but at purchaser’s risk. It is very important to have your plants shipped early. 
Read on page 8 under “Time to Plant.’’ The reason your plants should be shipped 
early in the season is that plants are dormant and will stand digging and shipping 
much better than after the growth has started. Don’t order plants from us during 
the summer months, excepting orders to be filled before the first of November. 
Our plants are not ready and we can’t do it. We don’t grow potted plants. 


On Receipt of Plants. Where the climate is not so severe, place the package 
containing the plants in a cool place, protected from wind and sun, at once on 
arrival. Be sure to keep the roots moistened while planting. If it is impossible to 
set the plants as soon as received take them out of the crates, and bed them in by 
digging a V-shaped trench in soft moist soil, preferably in the shade; open the 
bunches of plants and bed them in the trench by pressing the soil firmly to the 


ete ee careful not to cover the buds or crowns. Water thoroughly as soon as 
edded. 


a pou cave: All plants are tied twenty-five in a bundle and each bundle 
abeled. 


Packing. We make no charges for boxing or packing at rates quoted in this 
catalog. Everything is delivered f. 0. b. trains at rates named. 


At Purchaser’s Risk. All plants ordered shipped after May Ist will be packed 
and shipped in the best condition possible, but at purchaser’s risk. 


True-to-Name. While we use every precaution to have all plants true-to- 
name (and we believe we come as near doing this as anyone in the business) we 
will not be responsible for any sum greater than the cost of the stock, should any 
prove otherwise than as represented. 


CLAIMS, if any, must be made on receipt of plants. Call for your plants as soon as 
they arrive. Protect plants from sun and wind until planted. We pack plants to reach 
you in good condition. We cannot be responsible for drought, floods, insects, after plant- 
ing. These things are entirely beyond our control. 


Should there be a shortage in your order report at once number of packages and 
number of plants of each variety received. This will enable us to promptly adjust any 
discrepancy. Often the transportation company will separate a shipment and the balance 
of your plants will come in on the next train. 


a 


34 ALLEN’S BOOK OF BERRIES—1925 


PRICES 


Our prices are high enough to allow us to do all that can be done to grow good, 
strong, thrifty, well-rooted plants, keep them true-to-name, dig and prepare them 
properly for shipment and allow us a reasonable profit. “Bargains” may be alright 
for shoes, hats, etc., where only the actual money spent is risked, but the time, 
effort, and money required to grow a profitable strawberry garden should not be 
wasted or risked with “bargain” plants of poor or uncertain quality. 


Reports we have indicate that the crop of plants this year will be quite short 
all over the country. In this section there is less than half as many as at any time 
for the last several years. While we have not taken any advantage of this shortage 
to raise our prices we do caution our friends to place their orders early, especially 
for the three leading kinds, Premier, Big Joe and Chesapeake. 


Our prices are reasonable for the quality of plants we send out. They are not 
high. They are fair. A fair price for good plants is a sound investment. You buy 
insurance against fire or life. Allen’s good true-to-name plants are your insurance 
against a poor start in your strawberry garden. 


ORDER EARLY—BECAUSE 


1. Early planting pays big. Get your order in so your plants can be shipped in 
time to be on hand as soon as your ground is ready. Get all the benefits of early 
planting. 

2. You get the kinds you want. We reserve them for you until you want them 
shipped. To make the most out of growing berries get the fancy money making 
varieties. Don’t hold your order so late you have to take a second choice. Tell us 
what you want and tell us soon. We will reserve it until you want it shipped. 


HOW TO SHIP 


Express is generally satisfactory and the best way to ship plants if your 
order is large or if the distance is great. 


Parcel Post. Generally cheapest and most satisfactory for small shipments 
and with larger shipments in adjoining and near-by states. 


Strawberry plants packed for shipment weigh approximately 4 pounds per 
100 plants. Make up your order, calculate the approximate weight and if you do 
not know your zone from Salisbury, Maryland, use distances given below, or ask 
your postmaster. 


With the zone rate published below, you can easily calculate the amount of - 
postage to send. Be sure to send postage enough. If you should send more than is 
required, the excess will be returned. If sufficient amount to pay parcel post 
charges are not sent with the order the plants will be sent by Express collect, 
or by parcel post, c. o. d. for the amount of postage, as we cannot keep accounts 
and send bills for small items of postage. 


Zone Miles Ist Pound Additional Pound 

Stree tee OntomepbO ert a OKCUS Ghee ees 1 ct. for each or fraction 
Din eens ee ea: HORCOW WON Sk ae be DICtS ieee ewe 1 ct. for each or fraction 
Soe eral HOECO rr OOO ee oe eine GCtS.2 2... . 2 Cts fOr each OnuEAction 
AU S00F to. OOO meee (oets.4..225.: 4 ets. for eachiortuzactiom 
Sune ee COO tO; 1000 3 ee SICtSe en ee 6 cts. for each or fraction 
Gt sae ek: LOOO tO FIA 00 cea ee OCS aa ee 8 ets. for each or fraction 
Gthig eee TOO ESO) ee ets eae 10 cts. for each or fraction 


Sth ewes: SOOM RRS te 12 cts.........12 ets. for each or fraction 


THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 35 


PRICE LIST OF STRAWBERRY PLANTS 


Description Price 
Page Per 1,000 
Extra Early Varieties 
17 Excelsior (Per). Fee kd ROO 
17 Howard No. 17 (Per). 6.00 
Leute (Ren ieee wee eck 10.00 
Ss Premiers: (Ber ser pune. O00 
Medium Early Varieties 
DIR COOMETA CREM regents ts eee 7.00 
DIS DreBurnilla (Ren eaenne ss es 5.00 
23 Klondyke (Rens 2. 22.450: 5.00 
23 Lady Corneille (Per)....... 6.00 
Zo Niissionanye (2eR) masses 4.00 
23 Senator Dunlap (Per)...... 5.00 
Midseason Varieties 
24m Abimetone (Ren) erent es 7.00 
ZA BigedOCs (eR) ee 6.00 
JAS Deliciouss Geen) aoe 4.00 
Qoenatone(hen ert ieties ecu. 8.00 
Jom keya(Ben) eae ewe 6.00 
2oaGlenuManya(Ren)ne veae ce 8.00 © 

25n Golde Mines (Ren) rset e: 10.00 
2 ebayer anda (eels)me sn ee 7.00 
Zou Marshalla(Ber)ne see ae 8.00 
Zo pawlJoness (imps) acres 4 O00 
2 yaOWTopsmines deen) esas ee 4.00 
25 \Viartields (imps). ye aeias sc 6.00 


Description Price 
Page Per 1,000 
Late Varieties 
2SeAToman (el) eee ae $ 6.00 
2 Seip iowlacem (lintios) ee ae 7.00 
28 Bie Wonder (Per). 3) oe 4.00 
Chesapeake (Per).......... 7.00 
Mendel (inne) pees eee 6.00 
Gibsone (Ber) ase = 0.00 
Alp tone (Ren) ees eee 7.00 
Miaivelm henna. gr a ee 4.00 
McAlpine(Ber) eae 7.00 
New Yorke(Rer) sass 10.00. 
Parsons Beauty (Per)....... 6.00 
Samples (limps) eae a 6.00 
Win Belti(Rern) ise 7.00 


Very Late Varieties 


Gandy: (Ber) sen. .se see. 6.00 
Kellogg’s Prize (Imp.)...... 8.00 
King Wealthy (ey ea ene. 4.00 
Orem (Per).. 10.00 


Steven’s Late Chama (Per) 8.00 


Everbearing Varieties 


Champrons (Ren) hae 8.00 
Dela sotam (eer)ee eee 100 for 3.00 
DierOPTESSHVIEH (RET) eae eee 8.00 


If Less Than 500 Plants of a Variety Are Ordered, Prices Must 
Be Carried Out According to the Following Table. If 
the Correct Amount Is Not Sent, We Will 
Send Only the Quantity of Plants 
You Have Paid For. 


$4.00 
If priced at ' per 

1,000 

25 plants will cost....... SeeZo 
50 plants will cost....... 40 
75 plants will cost....... bo 
100 plants will cost....... 70 
150 plants will cost....... .90 
200 plants will cost...... : 1.10 
250 plants will cost...... LAD 
300 plants will cost....... 1.40 
350 plants will cost...... : 1.55 
400 plants will cost....... 1.70 
450 plants will cost......- 1.85 


500 plants will cost....... 2.00 
1,000 plants will cost....... 4.00 


$8.00 $10.00 


per per per per per 


1,000 1,000 1,000 


$ 320 $ 40 $ .560 $ .50 $ .60 
00 60 10 .80 .90 

10 .80 .90 1.05 1.25 

.90 1.00 1210 1.50 1.60 
1.15 1.30 1.45 1.65 2.05 


1.40 1.60 1.80 2.00 2.50 
1.60; 1.90 2.15 2.39 2.95 
1.80 2.15 2.45 2.70 3.40 
2.00 2.30 2.75 3.05 3.80 
2.20 2.60 3.00 3.40 4.20 
2.30 2.80 3.29 3.70 4.60 
2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 5 00 
5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 10.00 


1ef 


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