June, 1940] Markets for New Hampshire Berries 47 



Blackberries brought highest prices in Carroll and Coos counties 

 in 1937 and 1938. The average retail price for this state was about 

 19 cents per quart. 



Prices of blackberries ranged from 15 cents to 21 cents on the 

 Boston market in the first three weeks of August, 1939. a period 

 when New Hampshire supplies should be available. 



Grower reports show average jobbing prices of bhieberries rang- 

 ing from about 12 cents to 20 cents over a five-year period, with an 

 average of nearly 15 cents a quart. 



In 1938, highest jobbing prices for blueberries were reported in 

 Rockingham. Grafton, Coos, and Merrimack counties. 



Blueberry prices usually decrease as the season advances. Over 

 a 10-year period in four New Hampshire cities quotations in the 

 third week were 4-5 cents under the first week, and in the sixth 

 week 2-3 cents under the third week. 



Hotels, camps, and boarding houses purchased blueberries in 1937 

 at about 3 cents over grower jobbing prices and 2 cents under retail 

 store prices. 



New Hampshire blueberries have averaged from 3 cents to 6 cents 

 a quart under Maine and Nova Scotia l)erries in the Boston market 

 during the past five years. 



Sa!es 



Slightly over half the retail grocery stores and markets in l.aconia 

 carried strawberries in 1938. and the average jnirchase of native 

 berries for the season was 24 crates. 



In 1937 seasonal purchases of strawberries were reported as about 

 17 crates for hotels. 6 crates for camps, and 2 crates for tourist 

 homes serving meals. 



Raspberry varieties such as St. Regis. Chief, or Indian Summer 

 ])ermit earlier sales at favorable prices which also help in making 

 customer contacts early in the season. 



About 40 per cent of the independent retail food stores in Laconia 

 carried raspberries in 1938 and the average weekly purchase was 96 

 ])ints. Growers retail over one-third of their red raspberries. 



A 1937 survey showed average seasonal sales of native blackber- 

 ries to hotels as 126 quarts, camps 35 quarts, and tourist homes serv- 

 ing meals, 35 quarts. The survey showed that but 14 per cent of the 

 independent retail stores in Laconia carried native blackberries in 

 season, and the average seasonal purchases were 136 quarts. 



With a highly perishable product such as blackberries, it is par- 

 ticularly important to clear all stocks daily that are sold through 

 stores. This can be done with proper grower-retailer cooperation. 



Almost all independent grocery stores in Laconia and Lakeport, 

 N. H. carried native blueberries in 1937 and average total purchases 

 amounted to 867 quarts. 



Baskets of red, white and blue grapes make attractive displays in 

 roadside stands. 



Market outlets 



Local markets for berries can be expanded if adjustments are 



