When shall we Plant f 91 



will yield at least a pint of fruit; and usually these first berries are 

 very large and fine, bringing the best prices. Suppose, however, we are 

 able to obtain but ten cents a quart, you still have a margin of two and 

 one-half cents on each plant. Adding two cents to the cost of each 

 plant to cover the expense of cultivation, winter protection, spring mulch- 

 ing, picking, etc., there still remains a profit of half a cent on each plant. 

 Supposing we have an acre containing 14,520 plants, our estimate gives a 

 profit of $72.60 for the first year. If we clear but a quarter of a cent on each 

 plant, we have a profit of $36.30. The prospects are, however, that if 

 we plant early in the summer, on rich ground, and give good cultivation, 

 our plants will yield more than a pint each, and the fruit sell for more 

 than ten cents a quart 



This estimate applies to the common market varieties raised with only 

 ordinary skill and success. Suppose, in contrast, one plants the large, 

 showy, high-flavored varieties, and is able to obtain from fifteen to thirty 

 cents per quart. The expens.es in this case are no greater, while the 

 profits are very largely increased. 



Good potted plants can be bought for about $2.50 per 100, or $20 

 per 2,000. I do not think that they can be properly grown and sold 

 at much lower rates and afford a living profit. Freight and express 

 charges are a heavy item of expense, since the earth encasing the 

 roots renders the packages very heavy, and but comparatively few 

 plants can be shipped in one box. But, allowing for all expenses, I think 

 it is evident that people can obtain a fair profit from potted plants within 

 eight or ten months from the time of planting. Moreover, autumn-set 

 plants start with double vigor in early spring, and make a fine growth 

 before the hot, dry weather checks them ; and the crop from them the 

 second year will be the very best that they are capable of producing. 

 Two paying crops are thus obtained within two years, and the cost of cul- 

 tivation the first year is slight, for the plants are set after the great impulse 

 of annual weed growth is past. With spring-set plants you get but one 

 crop in two years. The first year yields nothing unless plants are sold, 

 and yet the cultivation must be unceasing through May, June and July, 

 when Nature seems to give no little thought to the problem of how many 

 weeds can be grown to the square inch. If one wishes early plants, he 

 certainly should practice autumn planting, for a plant set even in Novem- 

 ber will begin to make runners nearly a month earlier than one set in 

 spring. 



Thus far we have looked at the subject from a business stand-point. 



Those who wish plants for the home supply certainly should not 



