114 Bush-Fruits 



produced at less expense to the unit if it had occupied the 

 entire ground. It may be as appropriate to charge to 

 the blackberries the additional yield of the crop which 

 might have been produced, as to credit them with what was 

 obtained. The reader may choose his own method of 

 figuring. 



At least four profitable crops of fruit may be expected 

 from the plantation. It will therefore be appropriate to 

 apportion this first year's outlay to these crops. The 

 cost for subsequent years, exclusive of picking and 

 marketing, may then be estimated somewhat as follows: 



Proportion of first year's expense $16.25 



Rent of land 5 .00 



Fertilizer 20.00 



Cultivation and hoeing 10 . 00 



Pruning and removing old canes 10.00 



Total $61.25 



The partial crop, which may be expected the second 

 year, should about meet expenses. After the first year, it 

 is fair to assume that an average of 3,000 quarts to the 

 acre should be secured, with favorable soil and climate. 

 The profit will then depend on the net price a quart which 

 it is possible to secure, after meeting the expenses of pick- 

 ing, packing, and marketing. With a net price of five 

 cents a quart the profit would be about $90 an acre, with 

 the cost of production as assumed above. 



In connection with these figures, is presented the fol- 

 lowing close estimate at one time made by M. A. Thayer, 

 of Sparta, Wisconsin. They serve to show what it is pos- 



