11 



possible. Your success will depend largely upon the distance 

 you are from market. Small fruits cannot be grown profitably 

 ten miles from the consumer, except on the line of some rail- 

 road, in which case a distance of twenty or thirty miles will 

 make a difference of only an hour or two in time. 



There are numerous villages, large and small, furnishing good 

 opportunities to those near by for doing a safe and profitable 

 business in growing fruits. In the vicinity of summer resorts, 

 fresh fruits net a higher price than can be realized from com- 

 mission men in large cities, where competition is sharp. If 

 marketed by the grower, there is no expense for freight, or per 

 cent, to be deducted by the middle-man. The large manufac- 

 turing towns afford good markets. Mechanics, factory opera- 

 tives, and shop-girls spend their money freely when the times 

 are brisk, and the boarding-houses consume fruits in large quan- 

 tities. Get as near to such a town or village as yon can. If 

 within a mile, you will have a great advantage over one five 

 miles away. You can watch the market, and rush your berries 

 when there is a demand, and hold them back when there is a 

 glut. 



There are always many visitors from the cities to near-by 

 fruit-farms, persons who like to take their fruits fresh and fra- 

 grant from the vines, even at an extra price, rather than stale 

 from the huckster's stall. The man engaged in growing small 

 fruits must not only cultivate his berries, but also his business, 

 by selling only the best, honestly and tastefully put up. In this 

 way he will soon acquire a reputation, and secure the patronage 

 of a desirable class of customers. 



But the beginner should enter upon the business expecting to 

 meet with many discouragements, such as hard winters, late 

 spring frosts, drouths, destructive insects, overstocked mar- 

 kets and consequent low prices. It must be borne in mind, 

 however, that others will meet with like discouragements and 

 quit the business, leaving the coast clear for those who are more 

 persistent. If the beginner consults his own interest, and grows 

 only the best varieties in the best way, and puts his fruit upon 

 the market in the most attractive form, he is sure to succeed. 

 Of such fruit there is never an over-supply. 



