24 UNIV. OF N. H. AGE. EXPERIMENT STATION [Bulletin 222 



chases. The one store at Lincoln purchased one car for use in lumber 

 camps. 



There is a deficiency of local production of turnips in every district, and 

 some expansion in production could be made before supplying local de- 

 mand. However, there seems to be some question in the minds of the 

 retailer as to the quality of local products. Much of the turnips shipped 

 in come from New Brunswick, and the average retailer interviewed seemed 

 to prefer these on account of their reputation for good eating qualities. 



Prices of these products on the Manchester market for the last five 

 years show a striking similarity in yearly changes and direction of changes 

 throughout the season. The average price for the last five years has been 

 as follows: beets, $1.67; carrots, $1.55; parsnips, $1.96, and turnips, $1.25. 



Expressed in terms of acreage required to produce the amount pur- 

 chased from other than local farmers, with average yields, parsnips would 

 require 13 acres, carrots 21 acres, beets 14 acres, and turnips 46 acres, or a 

 total of 94 acres. 



The production of beets, carrots, or parsnips cannot be increased very 

 much without making it necessary to ship to outside markets at a con- 

 siderably lower price than is now received locally. Any extensive ex- 

 pansion, therefore, must be estimated on the basis of Boston or New York 

 markets minus freight and handling charges. This would necessitate very 

 efficient production. 



BUNCH BEETS AND BUNCH CARROTS 



Of the total purchases of bunch beets, 32,740 dozen bunches, or 60 per 

 cent, were from local farmers and 21,655 dozen bunches were from others. 

 (See Table VII.) Of the latter only 8,165 dozen bunches were shipped in 

 during the growing season. The largest importation during the competing 

 season was in northeastern New Hampshire, as indicated by district 3 in 

 Table VII. While the amounts of bunch beets shipped in are not large in 

 any one city, the great variation in different cities is worthy of notice. Of 

 the beets handled by stores and hotels, Plymouth purchased 1,787 dozen 

 bunches, or 73 per cent, outside; Newport, 4,560 dozen bunches, or 71 per 

 cent, outside; while Dover purchased only 158 dozen bunches, or 7 per 

 cent of total purchases, outside. Manchester purchased 1,148 dozen 

 bunches outside, or 16 per cent of its total purchases. It would seem that 

 with the exception of a few towns such as Newport and Plymouth, the 

 demand is well supplied by local farmers. 



Of the total purchases of bunch carrots 19,465 dozen bunches, or 40 

 per cent, were imported, and 6,655 dozen bunches of these were brought 

 in during the local harvest season, which was estimated to be from July 9 

 to October 1. Districts 3 and 4 were the heaviest purchasers of shipped-in 

 bunch carrots. This is rather difficult to explain, but perhaps in many of 

 the smaller centers no one is making a business of providing vegetables to 

 the trade. As in the case of bunch beets there was great variation in dif- 

 ferent towns. Plymouth purchased 1,792 dozen bunches, or 84 per cent 

 of its total purchases, outside; Newport, 4,415 dozen bunches, or 70 per 

 cent; while Dover purchased only 147, or 6 per cent, outside. 



There is little danger of loss due to overproduction since only those 

 beets or carrots which are in demand need be harvested. The remainder 

 can be allowed to mature and sold later as cut beets or cut carrots. 



