Fruit Farming. 27 



placed on the market, McCormick sold out at 6 l / cents per quart, and 

 Gallagher held off till McCormick had sold out, when he put his on sale 

 and obtained 8^ cents per quart, and the demand was fully supplied. It 

 is estimated that the crop for the year of 1879, handled in Cincinnati, 

 amounted to from seventy-five thousand to eighty thousand bushels the 

 crop being a fairly good one selling at an average of about $2 per bushel." 

 It has been stated in the Country Gentleman that about $5,000,000 worth 

 of small fruits were sold in Michigan in one year; and the same authority 

 estimates that $25,000,000 worth are consumed annually in New York 

 city. In the future, it would seem that this demand would increase even 

 more rapidly ; for in every fruit-growing region immense canning establish- 

 ments are coming into existence, to which the markets of the world are 

 open. Therefore, in addition to the thousands already embarked in this 

 industry, still larger numbers will engage in it during the next few years. 



Those who now for the first time are turning their attention toward 

 this occupation may be divided mainly into two classes. The first consists 

 of established farmers, who, finding markets within their reach, extend their 

 patches of raspberries, currants, or strawberries to such a degree that they 

 have a surplus to sell. To the extent that such sales are remunera- 

 tive, they increase the area of fruits, until in many instances they become 

 virtually fruit farmers. More often a few acres are devoted to horticulture, 

 and the rest of the farm is carried on in the old way. 



The second class is made up chiefly of those who are unfamiliar with 

 the soil and its culture mechanics, professional men, who hope to regain 

 health by coming back to nature, and citizens whose ill-success or instincts 

 suggest country life and labors. From both these classes, and especially 

 from the latter, I receive very many letters, containing all kinds of ques- 

 tions. The chief burden on most minds, however, is summed up in the 

 words, " Do small fruits pay ? " To meet the needs of these two classes 

 is one of the great aims of this work ; and it is my most earnest wish not 

 to mislead by high-colored pictures. 



Small fruits pay many people well ; and unless location, soil, or climate 

 is hopelessly against one, the degree of profit will depend chiefly upon 

 his skill, judgment, and industry. The raising of small fruits is like other 

 callings in which some are getting rich, more earning a fair livelihood, and 

 not a few failing. It is a business in which there is an abundance of sharp, 

 keen competition ; and ignorance, poor judgment, and shiftless, idle ways 

 will be as fatal as in the workshop, store, or office. 



Innumerable failures result from inexperience. I will give one extreme 

 example, which may serve to illustrate the sanguine mental condition of 



