SMALL FRUITS IIQ 



the first week in July, and sometimes later. In 

 some instances largest pickings were made on and 

 after July 4. Boys and girls of neighboring fam- 

 ilies make up the picking force, i^ cents a quart 

 basket is the price paid for picking. Pickers are 

 required to grade berries carefully. The largest 

 and most shapely berries go into the first, and 

 smaller ones, as well as large, ill-shaped specimens, 

 compose the second grade. 



** When picking has been kept back by wet 

 weather, and there are many soft berries, 

 there is a third grade made which is used 

 for wine, etc. As nearly all the fruit is sold in 

 nearby local markets, there is no necessity for stor- 

 age facilities. Most of the berries are on sale 

 within an hour after picking. The crop is nearly 

 all retailed from wagon direct to customers. The 

 second grade is sold at about 2 cents less than 

 first grade, and is popular for canning, jam, etc. 

 They are considered more desirable than larger 

 berries shipped in from the south and east, being 

 firmer, of better flavor, and almost entirely free 

 from sand. All sorting and selling is done on the 

 square. Baskets are filled, shaken down, and 

 topped out before packing in crate. Bubach and 

 Glen Mary are the most profitable varieties yet 

 tried. The market here demands large-sized ber- 

 ries, and the two mentioned meet the requirements. 



" On account of the late frosts the cultivation of 

 early varieties is not profitable. An experimental 

 patch is continued from year to year in which the 

 newer varieties are grown and watched. After 

 picking is over, the mulch is raked and stacked for 

 use another season. The ground is plowed deeply 

 and sown to Canada field peas, to be turned under 

 in fall for berry patch or other crop the next year." 



