profitable 
Fruit Growing
through better production methods
January 1, 1957	Mimeo. HO 55-2
what's new in . . .
fruit varieties • soil management • spraying and dusting • fruit handling • fertilization • pruning and thinning • storage • marketing
STRAWBERRY VARIETIES FOR INDIANA
The selection of the proper variety is one of the most important factors in successful strawberry production. Varieties which do very well in one general area may be completely unsatisfactory in another area. This difference in performance may be noted within relatively short distances. Some varieties which do well in southern Indiana are not considered as satisfactory for northern Indiana. Other varieties are adapted to a wider range of environmental conditions and may be grown quite successfully anywhere in the state.
The following comments on strawberry varieties are offered to help Indiana growers in choosing varieties which are well adapted for this area.

Early Season Varieties
Earlidawn is a new variety just recently released by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. It is one of the very earliest of all of the commercial varieties, usually ripening about 5 days ahead of Blakemore and Premier. Frost hardiness is about equal to that of Premier. Fruits are large in size and have a bright red color, but are not quite as firm as Blakemore. Plants are very vigorous but do not make many runners. Yields have been among the highest in tests at Lafayette; Earlidawn seems to be very worthy of trial anywhere in the state. Premier (Howard 17) has been a widely recognized standard variety in Indiana for many years. It has been especially valuable because of its frost hardiness and its earliness of bearing. As newer and better varieties for this season have been developed, Premier has been partially replaced. In recent test plantings at Purdue, this variety has consistently been one of the poorest
in the planting as far as productiveness and fruit quality is concerned. In most areas of the state, Premier should not be planted. Earlidawn, Empire or Blakemore should be substituted for this picking season.
Empire is a new variety from New York which may be promising for northern Indiana. Empire ripens just after Premier, has smooth, well-shaped fruit with a bright red color. Fruit is moderately firm to soft. Yields are high and plants are vigorous® This variety seems well worth trying and will be given further evaluation in experimental plantings at Purdue.
Blakemore is one of the older standard varieties for use in the southern part of the state. It is a very prolific plant maker and gives high yields of medium sized, firm, light red colored fruit. Fruit quality is very good. This variety may still be planted in areas where it has done well in past years, but will gradually be replaced in most areas by some of the new varieties ripening in the same season.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Agricultural Extension Service • Lafayette, Indiana Department of Horticulture