This is a productive variety but the fruit is small and not very attractive and drops badly in dry weather.
Stark Early Elberta. 1. Stark Bros. Cat. 46, 47. 1914.
Goldfinch. 2. Barnes Bros. Cat. 5. 1913.
Stark Early Elberta was introduced by Stark Brothers, Louisiana, Missouri. The variety first fruited with Dr. Sumner Gleason of Kaysville, Utah. It is a seedling of Elberta and much like that variety but is said to ripen about a week earlier and to be handsomer and of better quality. On the grounds of this Station it seems to be identical with Elberta.
Stark Heath. 1. U. S. D. A. Pom. Rpt. 44. 1895. 2. Mich. Sta. Bul. 169:226. 1899. 3. Stark Bros. Yearbook 71. 1910. 4. Ibid. 52. 1916.
Stark Heath is said to be an improvement over Heath Cling. Fruit of medium size, roundish, slightly oval; apex prominent; suture distinct; color clear creamy-white, somewhat blushed; flesh creamy-white, juicy, tender, melting, with a vinous flavor; quality good; stone clinging; ripens a month after Elberta.
Steadley. 1. Horticulturist 28:25. 1873. 2. Mich. Hort. Soc. Rpt. 460. 1883. 3. Mich. Sta. Bul. 169:226. 1899. 4. Budd-Hansen Am. Hort. Man. 2:356. 1903.
This variety is said to be a seedling of La Grange which it resembles. Leaves with reniform glands; fruit large, roundish, inclining to ovate, with a slight suture; skin creamy-white, washed with pink; flesh free, white, very juicy, tender, with a mild sprightliness; quality good; season from the middle to the last of September.
Stearns. 1. Mich. Sta. Sp. Bul. 44:62. 1910.
This variety, which was introduced in 1906, originated with J. N. Stearns, South Haven, Michigan. The fruit is about the size of Elberta which it surpasses in quality and brilliancy of color. It is a perfect freestone, with yellow flesh and ripens just after Elberta.
Steele. 1. Can. Hort. 24:418. 1901.