plants in 1950 to determine interest in this field. A Massachusetts plant paid 

 25 cents per quart in that year. Results of the survey follow: 



Strawberry Purchases in a Supermarket 



Observations were made on purchases of strawberries in a large super- 

 market on June 28, 1950. 



Approximately 38 percent of the customers who passed the berry dis- 

 play counter made purchases. Twice as many women bought berries as did 

 men, but the men made one-third larger purchases. The average of all pur- 

 chases was 1.2 quarts per customer. 



In another study of purchases at a supermarket, 75 percent of the cus- 

 tomers bought one quart of strawberries each, 21 percent bought two quarts, 

 and 4 percent bought three or more when the price was 39 cents a quart. 

 About 35 percent of the customers who passed the strawberry display bought 

 strawberries. Sales of more than 200 quarts were made that afternoon. 



Keeping Quality of Strawberries 



Many factors influence the keeping quality of strawberries. They include 

 handling (whether bruised or not), variety, ripeness, temperature, humidity, 

 how well the patch has been kept picked, regularity of picking, insect popula- 

 tion, and period in the season. The plant set is also a factor, for if plants 



Figure 8. Placing Great Bay strawberries in trays for movement from field to market. 



18 



