2. Only the plants set give appreciable yields in the same year set. 

 Thus, many more plants must be set to give yields comparable to June 

 berries where many plants have been established in the fruiting row between 

 the period when set (such as April) and the picking period, June-July of the 

 following year. 



3. Picking and growing costs are higher. 



4. Berries ripen in a dry period of the year and plants often suffer 

 from lack of moisture unless in a moist location or unless irrigation is prac- 

 ticed. 



5. The period between setting and fruiting is very short, such as May 

 1-August 1 (three months), and unless carefully handled, plants may lack 

 size and strength for heavy fruiting. Optimum conditions are needed. 



6. Crickets and grasshoppers do great damage, especially if the patch 

 is surrounded by grass. Frequent use of poison bran or application of other 

 methods of control are desirable. 



7. Because of the short period between setting and bearing, restriction 

 of runner production is essential for good yields. This is much more important 

 for some varieties, such as Gemzata, than others like Twentieth Century. 



Conclusions 



1. Markets are more fully supplied with strawberries in Rockingham 

 and Hillsborough counties than in other areas. 



2. Particularly good opportunities exist for production of more late 

 strawberries, both for sale locally and for markets to the south. 



3. The strawberry season can be lengthened about a week by the use 

 of early, midseason, and late varieties. 



4. Yields of between 10,000 and 20,000 quarts per acre are possible 

 and practicable. 



5. Much more attention to supervision in picking should be given to 

 improve quality and reduce losses. 



6. Sparkle, Great Bay, Pathfinder, Howard 17, and Catskill are all 

 good commercial varieties and the first two named are high-yielding late 

 varieties which can return substantial profits. 



7. The size and lateness of the Great Bay strawberry are factors which 

 increase returns. But selection of insect- and disease-free stock and fertile 

 soil are especially essential for maximum production and quality. 



8. Large yields and large berries result in higher prices, a larger 

 gross, and lower picking costs. 



9. Where pickers are hired on piece work, prices should be advanced 

 through the season as size and yield decrease in order to maintain a reason- 

 able hourly wage and hold a satisfactory picking force. 



26 



