232 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
CONVERTING THE RED RASPBERRY CROP 
INTO MONEY. 
8S. J. EVANS, LA CRESCENT. 
This is a somewhat difficult subject to discuss this year—by using 
all my powers atconverting I did not get much money. It puts me 
in mind of a preacher shouting and clapping his hands with all his 
might,and when he got through he could not see what he had gained 
except the development of his muscles. Well, this does not cover the 
subject. Perhaps, never again will we have to face such low prices 
for our fruit, prices ranging all the way from $1.75 to nothing per 
case. Many may wonderhowthatis. Inhefirst place I sold for$1.75 
per case atthe stores (which has heretofore been my customary way 
of doing business, to get the best results)--speaking of this year’s 
price for the first 1tookto market. As more come in the prices drop 
to $1.00 per case sometimes, very seldom. My best berries usually 
bring from $1.50 to $2.00 per case spot cash. Often I ship to dealers 
and private parties in small towns and thereby get better prices 
(that is when they are too cheap at home.) This year I let a com- 
mission man handle my fruit through the “Berry Grower’s Associ- 
ation.” He did handleit,too. The first shipment he made I receiv- 
ed the handsome sum of 50 cents per case, (they were worth $1.50 at 
home) minus commission. So much for the “Berry Grower’s Associ- 
ation.” The second shipment I fared no better; after that he was a 
little more generous (except when I got nothing.) Commission 
men must liveas well as I, though I do not like to be the one to help 
support them. One thing that puzzles me is how they can get 10 
per cent out of nothing,as 10 percentis their rule to charge; itseems 
sometimes as though I got the 10 per cent, and he the balance. If 
possible I will handle my own fruit after this. I am confident if I 
had done so this year I would have made much more. My old way 
of going to the stores is the safest plan for me and then shipping 
the surplus wherever I can find a market—even if it does look big 
to belong to a “Berry Grower’s Association.” Perhaps others do bet- 
ter by belonging to it; Icannotsay. Every one must use his own 
judgment in disposing of his fruit. Circumstances might ren- 
der it necessary to reverse my plans. My time is limited to five 
minutes,and my subject will not allow me to discuss the cost of 
producing a crop of red raspberries, which can be done for five cents 
per quart and amargin left. But I don’t like to sell so cheap. 
A Goop TOMATO TRELLIS.—The sketch shows a trellis for tomatoes 
that completely “fills the bill.” The double side pieces hold up 
both lower and upper branches, while the flaring form of the trellis, 
zccommodates the spreading top. A doz- 
en of such trellises, strongly made, will 
prove exceedingly satisfactory in the gar- 
den, and will last many years if carefully 
used. Do not wait till they are wanted 
next summer, but geta sufficient number 
of them ready when other work is not 
pressing, and store them in the barn or 
under a shed. 
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