



A fruiting bed like this will be a real moneymaker this year. 



ft* Strawberries Pay $$ 



PRICES HIGH? ?— Here's Why— BIG DEMAND— small supply! I 



That is our eight word story about strawberries for 1944 and 1945. A review of the 

 facts and circumstances makes the story seem logical and reasonable. 



Prices were high in 1943 many berries selling as high as 40 to 50c per quart and whole truckloads 

 as high as 25 to 35c. Even with increased costs growers can make a good profit at these prices. In addition 

 to the fact that the masses of people have pockets full of money to buy what they want, all the factors of 

 supply and demand which made prices high in 1943 are present again stronger than before. The only 

 question mark in the picture is the possibility of unreasonably low price ceilings. 



Supplies of berries will be short again shorter than last year because the acreage is less and fruiting 

 beds in commercial areas are generally poor. In spite of . the urgings of ourselves and others who sell 

 plants, the short supply will continue into 1945. Most old beds are not good enough to be very productive 

 if carried over for another crop. New plantings will be small for several reasons. 



1 . There are not enough plants available to set a large acreage. 



2. The high price of plants this year will discourage some. 



3. Labor will be even less plentiful than last year — the armed services have taken many and high 

 industrial wages have attracted many more from the farms. This includes not only workers but many 

 who would otherwise be growers of berries. 



4. Uncertainty about labor as well as actual labor shortage will cause some to turn to crops which 

 require less labor and less investment risk per acre even though the probable income is also 

 much less. 



5. Many of the berries that are grown will not reach the commercial markets they will be produced 

 in small victory garden plantings for home use and local distribution. 



6. Acreage reduction will be most drastic among the larger growers. Pickers are not available. Large 

 acreages must be reduced or growers will see many berries rot in the fields. 



BERRIES TO SELL 



You can't make any money out of strawberries, no matter how high the price, unless you have some to 

 sell. The best way to have some to sell is to get plants this spring and get them in EARLY. In March or as 

 early in April as weather permits. 



There will be a big demand for all the strawberries produced in the next few years. Everybody likes them 

 and the civilian demands for fresh berries have not been fully met in the last year or two. Preservers and 

 ether processors have had very short supplies. More berries are needed or the armed forces and for ship- 

 ment in ccJd pack or preserve form to our allies and liberated countries. It is predicted that the use of 

 preserved fruits or spreads will help increase the use of cereals (breads) and thus simplify the feeding of 

 great numbers of people. This will be even more important if the present shortage of butter continues. In 

 the long run strawberries will create their own demand because they are delicious to eat, nutritious, healthful 

 and are being more and more recognized as an important source of Vitamin C. But for the next year or two 

 the big demand is there — piled up and waiting. Growing strawberries is not only profitable for you — the fruit 

 is badly needed as FOOD FOR VICTORY. 



Keep in mind the picking problem and don't overload — but grow all the berries you can for yourself and 

 for your country. It's pleasant It's profitable! ! It's patriotic! ! ! 



