27 



handlings. It is then packed into twenty-four box crates for delivery. The days 

 for picking cannot be fixed. The producer must use his own judgment, as all 

 depends on the variety of berry and the weather during the ripening season. The 

 ripe fruit must not be left too long on the bushes or the least wind will cause it 

 to fall off and waste. IST'either should it be picked w'hen hard and green, as it 

 greatl}' detracts from the attractiveness of the package. 



Careful handling is very essential. Jarring on the road to market settles the 

 package and spoils the fruit. Throwing it into or out of the waggon has the same 

 effect. The practice of filling the boxes well with choice red fruit cannot be too 

 highly recommended. Do not allow the picked fruit to stand in a hot or moist 

 place, as it soon spoils. 



Selling. There are several methods of disposing of the fruit, but the special 

 order trade and the commission market take the largest quantity. This includes 

 the quantities sold through the co-operative associations. The canning factories 

 take a very large quantity where they are used for making jam, and at present this 

 demand seems to be increasing much faster than the supply. 



Returns. Following is a list of patches showing the acreage, yield and 

 returns as quoted to me by the growers. These are not given as an average, but 

 represent some of the very best patches for the season of 1909. The figures are 

 much higher than the general average, but show a possible average under good 

 conditions. 



Yield Price 



Acreage. (Crates) (F.O.B.) Value 



1 125 $1 80 $225 00 



1 150 1 80 270 00 



% 75 1 80 135 00 



1% 190 1 80 342 00 



6 350 180 630 00 



4 350 1 70 595 00 



SVa 523 1 90 993 70 



4 310 1 80 558 00 



1 85 1 80 153 00 



11/2 40 2 12yo 85 00 



% 250 1 80 450 00 



1 70 1 80 126 00 



3% 350 2 00 700 00 



2 115 1 82 209 30 



1 20 2 00 40 00 



V2 75 2 00 150 00 



2 180 1 80 324 00 



iy2 200 2 00 400 00 



114 190 1 80 342 00 



1 75 2 30 172 50 



2 95 2 15 204 25 



5 200 2 00 400 00 



2 200 1 65 330 00 



3 75 1 68 126 00 



3 350 1 74 609 00 



1% 450 1 80 810 00 



2^. 200 180 360 00 



1 60 1 80 108 00 



5 500 1 65 825 00 



1 150 1 80 270 00 



21/2 200 1 80 360 00 



1 150 1 75 262 50 



Total. .681/2 6,353 $11,565 25 



Or, each acre in the above patches averaged 92.7 crates, which sold for $1.82 

 per crate, or $168.83 f.o.b. 



