ALLEN'S BOOK OF BERRIES— 1926 



How Much Profit? 



In spite of what you may read from the pen of enthusiastic plant growers, 

 anxious for orders, as we are, you will not become suddenly rich by growing a few 

 acres of strawberries. We have reports of $1000, $1500, and even $2000 per acre 

 profit from some of our customers, actual bonafide results. Some others may do 

 this some of the time, but such cases are exceptional. Such large profits should 

 not be expected nor should we as plant growers lead you to anticipate them. 



We do believe there are good profits in growing strawberries for the man who 

 will select the right varieties (see page 17), get good plants, and use proper meth- 

 ods. There is nearly always a good market for fancy berries. The amount of profit 

 will depend on your growing costs and the selling price, (see page 6) . 



From one-fourth or one-half acre up to 5 or 6 acres, according to circumstances . 

 are the plantings from which growers can expect big profits — possibly not $1000 

 per acre, but still larger than from most any other crop. Given good land, the 

 largest profits are usually made by those most favorably situated from a market- 

 ing standpoint. 



Of course, large commercial growers who have plenty of land and help 

 available and who can sell at an f. o. b. market or ship in carloads, can make 

 money growing large acreages of strawberries. But most growers cannot do 

 this and those who do do it do not get the profit per acre that the smaller grower 

 does, who grows fancy fruit for a fancy market. 



The Roadside Market is being used more and more in selling fancy berries. 

 The requisites of a successful roadside market are : First, a location on a good road 

 where there is lots of travel. It is not necessary to have an elaborate stand. As a 

 business grows it might pay to put up more permanent places but a good start 

 can be made by having a table or bench under a tree by the roadside. Select a 

 place far enough back so motorists will have room to get at least a part of their 

 machines off the road and not obstruct traffic. At the same time have your place 

 visible as far as possible down the road. Second, good fruit, attractively displayed 

 and prices in keeping with quality. Third, advertise by putting an attractive sign 

 at the stand and perhaps by putting a small ad in a local paper. 



We merely suggest the Roadside Stand as one more means of getting good 

 prices for good fruit. It costs very little to try out this method of marketing your 

 berries. This method is not adapted to plantings back off the main roads, 

 although we have reports from some of our customers stating that their berries 

 have such a high reputation that buyers leave the good roads and buy them 

 at fine prices. 



The old standby methods of selling berries at a profit are most suitable for 

 many growers. A fancy retail trade directly with consumer or with retail stores, 

 hotels, etc., is one of the best methods of marketing berries from a small acreage. 

 Others haul by truck or ship to wholesale dealers who are willing to pay good prices 

 for good berries. Growers who select the right varieties and grow fancy fruit can 

 practically always sell at a good profit. 



MORE THAN WE CLAIMED 



Monroe Co., W. Va., Mar. 19, 1925. 



Please fine enclosed check for SI 5. 50 for 2500 strawberry plants. The Premier I got from you 



in 1923 were surely fine. They were more than you claim. I don't believe they can be over estimated. 



I am the only one around here that has tried them out. I had people from all over the neighborhood 



looking at them. I have another new patch this spring. Thanking you very much for past favor. 



W. E. Fields. 



