17.1 cents per box. It is obvious that rates had to be varied through the 

 season in order to maintain wages and hold pickers. 



Returns from Strawberries 



Production and gross returns from strawberries vary tremendously. In 

 1949 the yields on seven varieties in nine plots varied from about 6,000 to 

 12,000 quarts per acre and estimated returns varied from about $1,200 to 

 $2,300 per acre after allowance for boxes, picking, and selling costs. These 

 figures were based on amounts picked from check rows and after costs of 

 1.5 cents per box, picking costs of from about 8 to 11 cents per quart, and 

 selling costs of 5 cents per quart. 



In 1950 yields of five varieties on six plots varied from 8,630 quarts on 

 the Pearl variety to 17,370 quarts per acre on the Sparkle variety as based 

 on pickings from check rows. Returns, after allowance of box costs (1.5 

 cents), picking costs (6.7 to 9.2 cents per quart), and selling costs of 5 cents 

 per quart, varied from $1,767 to $3,039 per acre. These returns were based on 

 sales at average jobbing prices each day throughout the season. (See Table 

 7.) 



Methods of Payment for Picking 



The price growers must pay to get strawberries picked depends on the 

 quality of the patch and the local labor situation. Different plans are used: 



1. A straight price for the season, such as 5 cents per quart. 



2. A standard rate for the main part of the season, with a higher 

 price near the end. 



3. A standard price, plus a bonus of so much a quart, such as 1 cent, 

 for those who stay through the season. 



4. An hourly wage for the season. 



5. An hourly wage plus a certain amount per quart for satisfactory 

 picking (quantity and quality). 



6. A rate set from day to day by a check picker, but with a set mini- 

 mum. 



Too much dependence seems to be placed on children, some of whom 

 do not do a good job. Many growers could afford to pay a higher price 

 for a job well done. i 



Rates paid in 1951 ranged from 5 to 10 cents per quart. It appears that 

 an average of 6 or 7 cents is none too high to give, returns that would at- 

 tract reliable pickers. 



Selling Berries on the Patch 



Some growers have sold berries on the patch over a period of years. 

 But it has been done most often as a means of selling berries when picking 

 was poor, as at the end of the season. Or it has been done in patches whicli 

 were held over a second year and where picking was not especially good. 

 Theje has been a tendency to let the public in on the poorest part of the crop. 



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