310 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the crate as a whole was less firm than the crate of wooden boxes. The 

 smooth, waxed sides of the paper box was easier on the fruit than the 

 wooden box. The fruit sold for the same price in both. The com- 

 mission man preferred the wooden box, stating that when the crates 

 containing the paper boxes were roughly handled the boxes would 

 shift and press upon each other. The grocers also stated that the paper 

 boxes were not firm enough for use in his trade. There is little dif- 

 ference in the cost. The price of paper box crates per hundred is $11.60, 

 the crates being in the flat and including 1600 boxes made up. One 

 hundred of the wooden box crates with 1600 boxes, both in the flat, cost 

 111.30. Of course, in considering these prices the extra work of making 

 up the wooden boxes must be taken into account. In general, the paper 

 box is undoubtedly easier on the fruit and will do for a special trade 

 where care is taken in handling the crate, but for fruit going through 

 the common channels of trade the wooden box is the best. 



RASPBERRIES. 



The new plantation of raspberries came into full bearing this year and 

 gave a fine crop of fruit. The price received for the red raspberries 

 was very low, due probably to the fact that the high prices received 

 during recent years has caused them to be set largely in preference to the 

 black raspberries. 



For the production of this fruit, whether for home or market use, 

 it is desirable to have a loamy piece of land which does not suffer, on 

 the one hand from drought, and which is so thoroughly drained that the 

 water is quickly carried ofl: after a heavy rain. The character of the 

 soil itself seems to make little difference provided it contains the proper 

 amount of plant food and the above conditions are met. In most sec- 

 tions a slightly rolling piece of land is desirable but care should be 

 taken, especially away from the shore of Lake Michigan, tcv avoid holes 

 as there is likely to be danger from frosts while the plants are in 

 blossom. 



After having plowed and thoroughly prepared the land, it should 

 be marked off both ways and furrows then be opened lengthwise of the 

 field. The distances will vary somewhat according to the character 

 of the soil and the variety, but if the distance between the row^s is made 

 eight feet, it will make it possible to do most of the cultivating with a 

 harrow. If this is not desired, some varieties may be planted as close 

 as six feet, although seven will be better for the larger growing kinds. 

 As a rule, three feet answers very well for the distance in the rows, al- 

 though under some conditions two and one-half feet might be desirable, 

 and under others they may be as far apart as three and one-half feet. 

 While the early spring planting of red varieties will give good results 

 if the ground is not too heavy, it will generally be better to put out the 

 plants in the fall, as they will have calloused and will be in good 

 condition for growth when spring comes. If fall ])lanting is practiced, 

 it is always well to place a forkful or two or straw manure about each 

 of the plants to prevent their being thrown out by freezing and thawing. 

 On the other hand, it will be better and in most cases necessary to plant 

 blackcap raspberries in the spring. Especially if the plants have been 



