LEAMON a. TINGLE, PI TTSVILLi:, MAKYLAM) 



A Suggestion To You 



1AST year was undoubtedly the worst season for growing ^raw- 

 , bery plants that I have ever experienced. Early in the season 

 W^ the ground was wet, and stayed so until very late; labor was 

 scarce and almost impossible to get. I only set about one-half 

 the acreage I intended to set, these did not make as many plants as I 

 usually get, but they are the largest, and heaviest rooted that I have 

 ever grown. I am growing the most of my plants this season in new 

 ground that has just been cleared of timber and brush. The soil is fine 

 and deep and was heavily fertilized and I believe my plants are as nice 

 as it is possible to grow them. Plants like these cannot help but pro- 

 duce big crops if properly set and cared for. My prices are a little high- 

 er than they were la^ spring, but I am sure you will find them much 

 lower than other reliable growers are asking for them. I wish I could 

 let you have them this season at last season prices but I cannot do it. 

 Everything that enters into the cost of growing them has almost doubled; 

 labor, fertilizer, etc., which with the decreased yield per acre has made 

 them cost me much more per thousand. Therefore, you see I cannot 

 do otherwise than increase the selling price. Even with this increased 

 cost I believe now is the time to plant ^rawberries. La^ spring the 

 large planters did not set as large an acreage as usual and they will 

 probably not be able to plant heavily this season on account of the 

 shortage of labor. This will cause a very large decrease in production 

 of berries in 1918 and 1919, and I firmly beHeve those who have ber- 

 ries for the market this year and next will get good prices for them, and 

 make a larger profit per acre, even with the additional expense of grow- 

 ing them. I would also advise the planting of fruit trees. The scarcity 

 of labor and the desire on the part of a good many farmers and fruit 

 growers to grow crops that will give quick returns is going to cause 

 them to negledl planting fruit trees. If you cannot plant an orchard for 

 market purposes plant some trees for your own family use. Have you 

 had all the apples you wanted this winter? What did they co^ you? 

 Cannot you grow them cheaper than you can buy them? I believe you 

 can. A good combination is to grow your ^rawberries between your 

 rows of young fruit trees. I do this and have splendid results. Now, if 

 you can plant this season do not put it off until next as I believe this is 

 the time. I expedt to have double the acreage for fruit in 1919 that i 

 have ever grown, because 1 believe they will pay, and pay big. 



