CHAPTER XI 



COST OF PRODUCTION, YIELDS, PROFITS 



Before undertaking any agricultural enterprise, it is 

 well to consider the probable outcome. To do this ac- 

 curately, one should know the average cost of each opera- 

 tion in it and the average price received for the product 

 over a series of years. It makes little difference whether 

 the cost of production is high or low if the selling price is 

 commensurate ; the aim should be to grow the grade of 

 berries that the market desires, at the lowest possible cost. 



FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE COST OF PRODUCTION 



The cost of production is determined chiefly by the cul- 

 tural skill, diligence and business acumen of the grower. 

 Other factors are the type of farming and the acreage. 

 In most strawberry districts, the crop occupies the land 

 but a short time and rotation with other crops is desirable ; 

 this makes diversified farming necessary. The other 

 crops provide employment for men and tools when the 

 strawberries do not demand attention and, to this extent, 

 reduce the cost of production. 



The strawberry is most commonly associated with crops 

 that require intensive culture, mainly vegetables and 

 other fruits. Between 1870 and 1890 many general 

 farmers were attracted to strawberry-growing, owing to 

 the low prices of staple farm crops. Since 1890, the straw- 

 berry business has been mostly in the hands of horticul- 



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