June, 1940] Markets for New Hampshire Berries 7 



be avoided by asking the Agricultural Experiment Station for in- 

 formation. 



Although it may not be advisable to buy the cheapest stocks for 

 planting, it is not usually necessary to pay high prices for good 

 stock. Prices paid for many lots of plants have been entirely out of 

 line with quotations of some reputable companies. 



In the spring of 1940, good stocks of standard berry varieties 

 were frequently available from some reputable companies within 

 the following price ranges : 



Strawberries— $ .65-$1.0O per 100 

 Raspberries— $2.50-$3.50 per 100 

 Blackberries— $2.00-$3.00 per 100 

 Blueberries- $4.50-$6.50per 10 



Prices paid for picking berries 



Pavments to Ijerry pickers reported in 1939 were as follows : 



Most frequently paid Average 



Strawberries 3 cents per quart 11 cents per quart 



Raspberries 2.5 cents per pint 2.5 cents per pint 



Blueberry pickers were often paid by the hour, although payments 

 of from six to nine cents per quart were reported for picking high- 

 bush berries. 



A few growers hold back one-half or one-quarter of a cent a box 

 on strawberries until the end of the season and this is paid to pick- 

 ers who stay on the job and do satisfactory work. Children are 

 commonly used as pickers for strawberries. Growers could well af- 

 ford to give closer stipervision to the work to prevent excessive 

 1 cruising. 



Prices paid for berry boxes by growers 



In 1938 growers reported pa}ing from %.7'b to $1.25 per 100, and 

 from $6.38-$8.00 per 1000 for berry boxes. Boxes could have been 

 1)een bought f.o.b. factory in Ohio, New York, and New Hampshire 

 at froru $4.75-$6.00 per 1000. Delivered prices would have ranged 

 from about $5.25-$6.75 per 1000 for direct-from-factory ptirchases. 



In 1939, prices reported as paid by growers were as follows : 



It appears that growers could have bought satisfactory boxes at 

 between $6.00 and $7.00 per 1000 direct from factories. Since lower 

 ])rices are sometimes made on larger shipments, growers might find 

 a cooperative purchase worth while. This means, of course, the an- 

 ticipation of needs in advance. 



In the spring of 1940, berry boxes could be purchased for about 

 $5.25 to $7.00 per 1000, f.o.b. shipping points in the northeast. De- 

 livered prices would have ranged from about $5.65-$7.00 per 1000. 



