246 ANNUAL REPORT 



apples was lighter ihan usual, the Transcendent being the only one 

 that bore largely. 



Plums were a total failure. Heavy snow drifts broke down many of 

 the red raspberries; those not broken down bore well. Had they 

 been laid down and covered they would not have been injured by the 

 snow. 



I had a big crop of Grrogg raspberries on a couple of rows that 

 were covered with snow last winter. 



My crop of strawberries amounted to over three thousand boxes, 

 mostly on old beds without cultivation. Being on low land the drouth 

 did not injure them. 



Stone's Hardy blackberries that were covered bore quite well, but 

 were not first-class berries. 



Currants and gooseberries were a failure. Owing to drouth, but 

 few trees set last spring are alive. 



Interest in fruit growing is increasing, and we hear of new planta 

 tions of grapes and berries being set out. Some of our ladies are ap- 

 pearing in market with fruit for sale. 



Prices of small fruits were good, and demand never better. Pota- 

 toes were a very poor crop, and are worth one dollar per bushel. 



We have heard little of swindling tree agents, and believe with a 

 few amendments the present nursery stock law is a good one, and 

 should be kept on the statute 1 ooks. 



I received about fifty grape vines from the State experimental farm 

 about the twentieth of May, and although the season was very dry, I 

 think all but two or three are alive. Query: Should grape vines be 

 set as late as above indicated, or earlier? 



MARKETING BERRIES. 



Marketing fruit is of great importance to the berry grower. A poor 

 salesman may have the finest of fruit and make nothing out of it, 

 while a good salesman without good fruit will be in the same condi- 

 tion. So we find that to be successful we must have nice fruit. The 

 berries must be large, of beautiful color, and look fresh and clean. 

 Unless the market is close at hand they should be firm, and picked as 

 soon as ripe enough. If shipped to a distant market they should be 

 picked the day they are shipped. If there are any dirty berries they 

 should be picked, washed, and used at home, or thrown away, but 

 never sent to market, remembering that a good customer is easier lost 

 than gained. Berries should be shipped in neat and attractive pack- 



