Fruit Farming. 31 



show what results have been secured, and therefore may be obtained again, 

 and even surpassed. The Country Gentleman gives a well-authenticated 

 instance of a fruit grower who " received more than $2,000 from three 

 acres of strawberries." In contrast, however, it could be shown that many 

 fields have not paid expenses. I once had such an experience. The 

 market was " glutted," and the variety yielded berries so small and poor 

 that they did not average five cents per quart. Occasionally, we hear of 

 immense shipments from the South being thrown into the dock. 



Mr. William Parry, a veteran fruit grower in New Jersey, states the 

 truth I wish to convey very clearly, and gives a fair mean between these 

 two extremes : 



"YIELD AND PROFIT. 



" There are so many circumstances connected with strawberry growing, such as 

 varieties, soil, climate, location, markets, and the skill and management of the 

 grower, that the results of a few cases cannot be relied on for general rules. 



" We have grown over two hundred bushels per acre here, and realized upward 

 of six hundred dollars per acre for the crop ; but that is much above the general 

 average. Having kept a careful record, for fourteen years past, of the yield per acre 

 and price per quart at which our strawberries have been sold, we find the average to 

 be about 2,500 quarts per acre, and the price eleven cents per quart in market, giving 

 the following results : 



Commissions, 10 per cent $27 . 50 



Picking 2,500 quarts, at 2C. per quart 50 . oo 



Manure 1 7 . 50 



Use of Baskets i o . oo 



Cultivation, etc 25 . oo 



Net profits per acre 145 . oo 



Gross proceeds, 2,500 quarts at nc $275.00" 



In the year 1876, the same gentleman had ten acres of Brandy wine 

 raspberries that yielded about 82 bushels to the acre, giving a clear profit 

 of $280, or of $2,800 for the entire area. This crop, so far from being the 

 average, was awarded a premium as the most profitable that year in the 

 section. 



J. R. Gaston & Sons, of Normal, 111., have given the following record 

 of a plantation of Snyder blackberries : " We commenced to pick a 

 field of seven acres July I2th, and finished picking August 22d. The 

 total amount gathered was 43,575 quarts, equal to 1,361 bushels and 22 

 quarts. The average price was eight cents per quart, making the gross 



