108 A B C OK STRAWBERRY CULTURE. 



May I ttll j ou what was done with the money ? I have one 

 son and two daughters, and we all worked hard during the ber- 

 ry season, I tell you, and my wife also had to keep a boarding- 

 house for the time being. Well, when we got through I just 

 handed them 850 apiece to do what they please with. Certain- 

 ly I can afford them the returns from a paltry half -acre of land. 

 My wife and I are partners, and I do not believe in her earning 

 money separately ; but I had heard some hints of a certain new 

 dress wanted, and thought it a pretty good time to put some 

 bills in her private pocket book. She doesn't take enough 

 when I leave her to help herself. The $37 left will more than 

 pay all money I am out for extra help ; and the fun of succeed- 

 ing, and all the berries we could eat, are pay enough for me 



Let me tell you how we managed so as not to have tl;e 

 farm work suffer. I hired two good extra men, and then my 

 son and two men took care of the crops and farm work, while 

 I, with the rest, handled the berries. Our largest picking in a 

 day was about 13 bushels, which sold for $36.55. It rcquiied 

 from four to six good pickers to keep right up. I did the mar- 

 keting, and looked over every drawer, and knew they wt re 

 right. 



In regard to the yield of different varieties : The patch we 

 have set out this year, which I have told you about, has just 

 about the right kinds in the right proportion. I must change 

 my mind a little. I told you that, when I found out the two or 

 three kinds that did best for us, I should not grow so many va- 

 rieties. I believe I was wrong for our fancy trade. People like 

 a change. When they tire of a sweet berry, one with a little 

 more acid will fill the bill. Then they want something beauti- 

 ful to look at now and then. By a little careful changing we 

 can hold our customers to the end, constantly giving them new 

 surprises. The two rows in the foreground of the picture (fee 

 page 81 ) of our patch for this year are Haverlands. Doubtless 

 they are the greatest yielders, and one of the most beautiful 

 berries to look at that I ever saw. There is one-sixteenth of an 



