334 GARDENING FOE PROFIT. 



growing, doing well on nearly all soils, and are often 

 used as early market sorts where the market is not crit- 

 ical as to quality. 



Strawberries rarely sell at less than an average of $8 

 per 100 quarts, and when retailed to the consumer, 

 average one-third more. As about 20,000 plants are 

 grown on an acre, and an average crop under good cul- 

 ture will give at least 5,000 quarts per acre, the crop, 

 when sold even at lowest rates, is a fairly profitable one. 

 But it is a crop that must be promptly attended to in 

 hoeing and weeding. It never can be made profitable 

 under slipshod culture, for, from the nature of the plant, 

 it cannot defend itself against weeds, and if neglected 

 will quickly get overwhelmed and destroyed. Thousands 

 of acres of Strawberries are planted annually, which, 

 from the want of prompt work at the proper time, are . 

 allowed to be destroyed by weeds. At a small cost in 

 labor, at the proper time, such crops might have paid a 

 handsome profit. 



BLACKBERRIES. 



Although Blackberries are found in a wild state in al- 

 most all sections of the country, yet the varieties are so 

 much inferior to the cultivated kinds, that it is poor 

 economy to depend on them for a supply, no matter 

 how abundant they may be. Cultivated Blackberries 

 comprise varieties which are not only double the size of 

 the wild kinds, but have the advantage of ripening in 

 succession throughout the season, from the middle of 

 July until the last of September. The distance apart to 

 plant Blackberries may be, it in rows, five feet, with the 

 plants two feet apart in the rows ; or, if in separate 

 hills, they may be set five feet apart each way. In either 

 case they should be supported by strong stakes driven 

 into the ground, having a height of from four to five feet, 



