FRUIT-GROWING. 67 



''natives," fail to secure but a slight advance. I have some- 

 times thought, that, when we were enjoined to " resist not 

 evil," this particular evil was not contemplated. How to 

 successfully meet this competition has been the subject of 

 much thought and serious consideration. 



The only way which seems left for us to pursue, and which 

 commends itself to the good judgment of practical men, is 

 to grow a berry of superior excellence, both in quality and 

 appearance, and present it to the consumer in a better condi- 

 tion, in clean inviting packages, using cheap new baskets, 

 not returnable, and b}^ a systematic effort elevate the stand- 

 ard, as well as raise the price, of native fruit, cause it to be 

 sold on its merits, and establish a reputation. 



Commission merchants have a way of selling strawberries 

 that is somewhat discouraging to the grower, who is careful 

 in sorting and packing, and who fills his baskets in such a 

 way that they will be full when offered for sale. A teamster 

 drives up to the curbstone with twenty-five or thirty crates 

 on his wagon. A buyer mounts the wagon, and throws open 

 a crate, which is taken as a sample for the whole ; and from 

 this sample, after making all due allowances for deaconing, 

 the load is sold. It is fair to presume that in this load are a 

 half-dozen different grades of berries from as many different 

 shippers. Tlie glaring injustice of this operation is too 

 apparent to be overlooked. 



The question is often asked, Would you advise going into 

 the business? I answer, No : at least, not extensively. The 

 strawberry is not only a perishable, but an exacting fruit. 

 That which ripens to-day must be consumed to-morrow ; and 

 it will stand less neglect than most any other crop, while 

 there arc other crops, which, with less outlay and labor, are 

 more easily grown, and at the present time quite as remun- 

 erative, as the strawberry-crop. 



I regard tlie apple as the most important fruit grown in 

 New England, and I think I may safely say that it is of 

 more importance than all others. Whether it be viewed in 

 the light of a wholesome food, or as a profitable market crop, 

 its value is too often underrated. 



The soil and climate of New England arc better adapted to 

 its production than they are for the peach, grape, or pear; 

 and, with proper cultivation, there is no good reason why m-q 



