June, 1940] Makkets for New Hampshire Berries 33 



Retail prices 



Retail prices of blackberries were obtained from stores and grow- 

 ers in 1937 and 1938. The average for the state was 20.3 cents a quart 

 in 1937, and 18.8 cents a quart in 1938. Since there were not wide 

 variations in price and because of a small number of records, an av- 

 erage has been made for these two years. Prices were especially 

 hii-h in Coos and Carroll counties in both vears. 



The counties are grouped into three price groups as follows : 



Average price No. records included Average price range 



Counties (cents per quart) (cents per quart) 



High 



^^"^ „ ?2.4 23 22.3-22.4 



Carroll ZZ.o 



Middle group 



Rockingham 20.8 



Strafford 19.7 35 18.7-20.8 



Grafton 19.4 



Hillsboro 18.7 



Low group 



Sullivan 17.9 



fjieshire 17.6 39 17 .179 



Merrimack 17. 



Belknap 17.1 



State 



97 19.5 



Of the 150 retail grocery stores and markets studied in 1938, but 

 31 per cent handled blackberries. Average buying prices in those 

 47 stores which were handling them ranged from 10 cents to 19 

 cents a quart and averaged 15.2 cents a quart. Quality and condi- 

 tion of berries varied greatly but there was much room for improve- 

 ment in both condition and quality of berries sold through retail 

 stores. 



Outlets for Blackberries 



Sales to retail stores 



Blackberries are not very popular in Xew Hampshire, and less 

 than a third of the retail stores handle them. They dislike to han- 

 dle them because they move slowly and losses are heavy. 



While sales direct to users, such as hotels, camps, restaurants, 

 and individual families, seem desirable, more sales can be made 

 through retail stores if plans are well made. 



Special care should be taken in picking them to avoid bruising. 

 They ; hould be kept out of the sun and held in a cool place. As 

 many sales as possible should be made through stores on order and 

 an effort should be made to move them to the consumer the same 

 day they are picked. Many producers lose interest in their product 

 after the sale to the store is made, but that does not build future 

 business. The growers should know how many boxes are left over 

 until the next day. Any grower located near a town can arrange to 

 service a store in such a way as to move the product quickly to the 



