Strawberry breeding in the United States began in the middle of the nineteenth century. Most of the varieties released at that time were from private breeders. About 1920, the U.S.D.A. and several land-grant colleges initiated the first large scale breeding programs. Since strawberries vary greatly in their regional adaptation, diverse breeding programs were established. Today, we have specific varieties adapted to various regions. What is a good variety in one region may be of no value in New York.