152 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



Rich Ground for Strawberries. 



7'i9. Sir, — Do strawberries require extra well manured ground ? T. H. A. 



Yes. You can scarcely make the soil too rich tor strawberries. Nothing 

 is better than plenty of barn manure. 



Cultivating Time. 



Y-IO. Sir, — When should you stop cultivating amon^ the berry bushes, with the 

 cultivator ? " T. H. A. 



Not so long as weeds grow^ or ground is inclined to become baked. 



Fruit Farms. 



■yS I. Sir,— What is the usual price per acre of fruit farms about Grimsby (1) when 

 well set out in fruit trees, but not yet of a bearing age, (2) when in full bearing ? What 

 may be regarded as the highest yield per tree of (a) peaches, (h) pears, (c) plums ? What 

 may be regarded as the highest yield per acre of small fruits, as (1) currants, (2) rasp- 

 berries, (3) grapes? Rev. Mr. Ferguson, Oiimsby. 



Such questions as these are very difificult indeed. We are constantly 

 receiving them, but hesitate very much in making any definite replies, because 

 there are so many different results in fruit growing, according to the amount of 

 experience and knowledge which one brings with him into the business. 



1. The usual price per acre for fruit farms about Grunsby, when first set 

 out with fruit trees, but not in bearing, is about $150 per acre, and when in 

 full bearing it is valued all the way from $300 to $500 per acre. This will 

 depend, however, upon the profitable or unprofitable nature of the fruits which 

 occupy the land. 



2. Peaches often yield about seven or eight baskets per tree. Pears yield 

 so variously according to the aid of trees, that it is difficult to make any definite 

 statement. A common outside yield would be about twenty baskets per tree, 

 but some varieties would not yield half that amount. Plums yield about the 

 same as peaches. 



3. Currants and raspberries will yield somewhere about two or three 

 thousand quarts per acre, but the yield may far exceed this amount under 

 special conditions. Grapes, like all other fruits, vary in yield according to the 

 varieties planted, some kinds being very productive, and others very scant 

 bearers. Concords and Niagaras often yield from three to four tons per acre, 

 while some varieties, as, for instance, the Delaware, would not yield half that 

 quantity. 



