Raspberries and Blackberries. 201 



will have evaporated and the balance become evenly distributed 

 throughout the whole mass, which is by that treatment rendered soft 

 and spongy so that it can be readily pressed into the boxes for ship- 

 ping, a thing which could not be done if they were dried down hard at 

 first. The fruit is of much better quality also, when cured in this way, 

 for it soaks out more readily, making a better product in every way. 



Yield. — In reply to the question, " What do you consider a fair 

 average yield per acre of black-caps ? " which was one of the questions 

 in a circular before mentioned, I have figures from fifty-eight growers. 

 Computing the average from all these replies, as accurately as possible, 

 we have for the answer 2,493 quarts, or nearly seventy-eight bushels 

 per acre. The majority gave the number of quarts or bushels which 

 they considered an average ; others placed their answer in the form of from 

 *' seventy-five to 100 bushels," and two gave what they considered high 

 or maximum yields, making it a little more diflicult to get the exact 

 average. 



The lowest estimate given as an average yield was 576 quarts, the 

 highest 9,600 quarts. I judge that neither of these are extensive 

 commercial growers. The latter estimate is very interesting as 

 showing what can be done with the best culture, for it comes 

 from a very intelligent fruit grower, mainly interested in other 

 lines and who evidently bases these figures on the* yield in his 

 own home garden, as his reply is given in the form of "60 quarts to the 

 square rod." A majority of the estimates range from 2,000 to 3,200 

 quarts. One grower, whose answer to the question is "75 to 125 

 bushels," adds: "We give closer attention to many of the points 

 in berry culture than most growers, and really average better than I 

 give you." An Illinois grower whose estimate is 2,400 to 3,000 quarts 

 says: " These yields are without any special fertilizing. By using 1,000 

 pounds of Mapes' fruit and vine commercial fertilizer or similar brands, 

 the yield can be doubled, we are confident." 



J The yield in pounds of dried product per bushel of green fruit varies 

 greatly with different seasons and parts of the same season. Early in 

 a wet season, when the fruit has made a quick, vigorous and watery 

 growth, it may take four quarts to make a pound of dried fruit. At 

 the end of a very dry season, on the other hand, it may take only two 

 quarts. So far as I have been able to learn, growers expect to average 

 about ten pounds of dried fruit to the bushel. 



In reply to the question, " In evaporating black-caps, does drought 

 materially affect the yield in pounds of dried fruit per acre ? " eight 

 growers say " No," and one of them even asserts that he gets more 



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