306 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
the leading commission houses. Some have been slow in making settle- 
ments, and prices very unsatisfactory. Others have been prompt, and a 
check mailed with account sales and prices very satisfactory. When you 
find a firm that knows the difference between poorly picked, soft and in- 
ferior fruit, and fine, fresh picked, sound fruit, and knows enough to 
ask and get good prices for good, fresh stock, thatis the house to tie to. 
We have found that it pays to be very careful,and have each package 
well filled, and sent in fresh new crates and boxes, and to forward to the 
market as soon as possible after being picked. 
COVERING. 
To put down the canes, use a spading fork to loosen around the hill,and 
lay them down close to the ground all one way, and with a plow cover as 
much as possible. 
YIELD. 
My Turners have always given a fine crop without protection; the 
fruit being large, to very large. 
My Cuthberts have been laid down and have been a sure crop of extra 
large fruit. The yield of both Turners and Cuthberts has been from 
5,000 to 8,000 boxes per acre. 
OTHER VARIETIES. 
We have only mentioned the four leading market berries, though we 
have others worthy of mention. 
Carolina; a beautiful amber, perfectly hardy, very prolific, a cap, fine 
flavor and rather soft. 
Marlboro; a fine early red, not as hardy as Turners, season the same; 
suckers badly, fruit very large, fine flavor and fine color. 
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT IN SMALL FRUITS. 
M. A. THAYER, SPARTA, WIS. 
Mr. President Ladies and Gentlemen:—The success or failure in growing 
small fruits for profit, in these days of close competition and distant 
markets, depends almost entirely on the business methods employed. 
Great success in banking is attained only by exact business methods 
and absolute accuracy in all accounts. 
The merchant succeeds best, who knows the wants of his customers 
and the most attractive way of displaying his goods. 
The manufacturer’s success is found in producing the largest amount 
of best goods, at the lowest cost. 
The commercial man’s study is to distribute products to the best ad- 
vantage, and reduce rates on his shipments. 
In the management of small fruits, you should possess the accuracy of 
the successful banker, the tact of the prosperous merchant, the close 
economy of the thrifty manufacturer, the courage and energy of the com- 
mercial man. Yes, more. You should thave a love and respect for the 
business; you should appreciate the dignity of labor: you should feel that 
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