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SMALL FRUITS. 299 
The subject, perhaps, had better be handled in a general way, giving an 
idea of the estimated profits of the years taken together, and not of single 
years. 
Beginning with strawberries: The main idea of taking up small fruit 
culture, was to raise all that was needed for the house, and sell the bal- 
ance, if any. Gradually this idea was enlarged upon, for it soon became 
apparent that it would take but little more labor to increase the plant 
and so supply the home market, and at the same time make it profitable. 
Of course, the first year in strawberry growing was all expenditure, 
nothing coming in, and ever after that one or more beds were in that con- 
dition; then some years, owing to drouth, the yield would be short; other 
years, heavy rains just at the blossoming period would give ill formed ber- 
ries, many blasted—and again short crops; then as last season, heavy 
rains would give beautiful large berries, but so soft as to melt down ina 
day, being worthless for shipping,and taking lively manipuiation and 
planning to dispose of them before they were a shapeless mass. Now 
take these years and allow two full crops, and the average for the seven 
years will be half of a crop for each year. 
Has this paid? Yes, for the amount invested, and land occupied, 10 to 
15 per cent. has been cleared over and above all expenses, and withal the 
pleasure of having berries, the finest of the field, on our table three times 
a day in unstinted quantities. 
Thave always done well on berries sold in the home market, but the com- 
mission men,they aim to send you just enough to pay for picking and box- 
ing, and sometimes fall short of even that. 
RASPBERRIES. 
Red raspberries are in greater demand than the black, but owing to the 
fact that it costs one cent more per quart to pick them, and their having 
a bad habit of settling in the box, they are not as profitable as the black. 
It is also impossible to get any more per quart, therefore the profits on the 
red must be estimated‘ at from 2 to 24 cents less per quart. 
The black raspberries and blackberries are the most profitable of all the 
small fruits; still, after footing up the cost of the plant, setting, cultiva- 
ting, training, clearing, covering and uncovering, posts, wire, manuring 
and rent of ground for three years, and then picking, boxing and han- 
dling, the profits are not stupendous—simply moderate. For, as with 
strawberries, the elements have to be considered. Drouth or heavy rains 
during the blossoming, lessen the yield greatly. One year a hail 
storm struck the growing canes about four to six inches from the ground, 
and fully one-half were broken off entirely; of the balance about one- 
half were injured so that in covering them they broke off. The result of 
this havoc was, of course, only one-fourth of a crop for the following year. 
Twenty per cent. on the amount invested is not an under estimation of 
the profits accruing from raspberry and blackberry culture. 
Currants and gooseberries, when covered up, have yielded well. Ihave 
not a very large plant, as the market has not warranted much effort in 
this line, so many home gardens raising more than the owners need, and 
neighbors supplied for little or nothing. So far it has cost about three 
cents per quart to pick, box and handle, and five cents per quart was all that 
could be obtained; so that after counting labor, money invested, &c , there 
