142 NORTHERN FRUIT-GROWING 



elsewhere ; its features are rather an enlightened 

 opportunism and adaptation to the distinctly difficult 

 conditions of soil and climate that prevail. 



Perthshire does, however, possess one very special 

 agricultural industry, that is, the growth of small fruit 

 strawberries, to a certain extent, but more particularly 

 raspberries which is to be found in small patches all 

 over Strathmore, but centres chiefly round Blairgowrie 

 and Coupar Angus, in which district there are nearly 

 2000 acres under this form of cultivation. In Forfar- 

 shire, Kirriemuir, which is better known to the world 

 as Thrums, is also becoming an important centre. 

 Perthshire, indeed, grows four-fifths of all the rasp- 

 berries in Scotland and about one-seventh of the 

 strawberries, Lanark being the chief centre for the 

 latter fruit. The industry is of very recent origin. 

 Although strawberries have long been grown in Blair- 

 gowrie, the present wholesale production of raspberries 

 has developed within the last twenty-five years or less, 

 and has been largely due to the organizing abilities of 

 Mr. J. M. Hodge, of Blairgowrie. 



The most interesting feature of the raspberry 

 growing is the co-operative form it is taking. A land 

 company buys a large farm or estate on suitable land, 

 and does all the preliminary work of clearing and 

 planting, including the erection of the wire-work on to 

 which the canes are trained, expending thus about 50 

 an acre before the fruit comes into bearing. The land 

 is then let to the growers at rents of 4 or 5 an 

 acre, the company contracting to supply labour for 

 picking and to market the crop. In July and August 

 a small army of pickers are needed, and they are housed 

 in large ranges of dormitories, built at some convenient 

 centre, with kitchens, mess, and meeting rooms at- 

 tached. The pickers pay a shilling a week for their 



