34 The Profitableness of Fruit -Culture. 



blackberry follows the raspberry, and is a very fine, healthful fruit; and can 

 be grown with great profit, as has been fully demonstrated, where the soil 

 is well adapted to its cultivation. Some astonishing statements have been 

 made from time to time concerning the yield of this most excellent fruit. 

 The demand for it has never yet been met, and there need be no fear of 

 glutting the market for years to come. The currant is one of the most 

 profitable of the small fruits, though there have been times when it did 

 not pay a large profit. The introduction of the larger varieties has given 

 an impetus to the culture of this fruit ; and the demand from the market- 

 gardeners for the plants only confirms us in the belief that its cultivation is 

 remunerative. 



For gooseberries we cannot say much, because the demand is not large 

 for them when green, and still less when ripe. It seems to us that this 

 fruit is not fully appreciated, though we are aware that the largest and best 

 English sorts do not flourish here. We think, however, if our fruit-growers 

 would give more attention to this fruit, it would come more into use, and 

 prove more profitable. The peach is the great crop of the State of Dela- 

 ware, and parts of some other States ; though the crop is not so satisfac- 

 tory as in former years, there being more disease and other drawbacks to 

 contend with in its culture. There is no more luscious fruit in the whole 

 list than this. It should hang on the tree until fully ripe to attain to its 

 highest perfection in flavor ; but this cannot be done where the fruit is to 

 be sent to a distant market. The past season, fair peaches brought from 

 four to six dollars a basket in Boston and other Eastern markets ; and the 

 supply was not great at that. Now, where this fruit succeeds, it can be 

 grown quite cheaply, and yet pay a fair profit ; but, when they bring such 

 prices, it is a very profitable business. The peach, to flourish well, requires 

 a good, warm, and rather dry soil, in a climate where the winters are mild. 

 Peaches can be raised to great advantage, even beyond the farthest point from 

 which they can be transported to market while fresh ; since they can be 

 dried and shipped at the convenience of the producer, always commanding 

 a good price. They may also be canned in immense quantities, and then 

 sent to any part of the world. The demand is great, the prices good. To 

 carry on this branch of the business successfully, the house for canning 

 should be in the peach-country, where the fruit can be had in the freshest 



