THE W. F. ALLEN CO., SALISBURY, MD. 



mand should not continue growing. We sell many thousands of quarts for this purpose 

 each year. The beauty of this business is that small, overripe and sandy berries can be 

 used for this trade, and thus keep the poorest fruit off the market. Fancy fruit never 

 gluts a market. 



Fruit Juices are increasing in demand at soda fountains, the strawberry flavor be- 

 ing a favorite with many. This is another outlet for inferior fruit, allowing only the 

 best to go on regular markets. 



Ice Cream Factories are using strawberries more and more in their business. All 

 of these needs must be supplied and we believe at least a fair profit is sure for those 

 who supply them. 



Who Should Grow Strawberries? 



1. Market Gardeners. A man who has a few acres of good land near cities or 

 large towns has the sure-thing of the strawberry business. Many thousands of our cus- 

 tomers have just this situation. A local market is developed, sometimes retail house to 

 house customers, often through the grocery stores and public markets, and in many 

 instances an attractive sign along the highway, or a small ad in a local paper is bringing 

 right to the farm buyers for all the fancy strawberries they can grow. For market 

 gardeners, situated as we indicated above, we believe the limiting factor should be how 

 many can you take care of at picking time with yourself and family and all the outside 

 help you can hire at any reasonable figure. In our opinion no other crop offers such 

 good returns per acre of land or per hour of labor. But be sure that you get good plants 

 and the right varieties. One of our customers two 3 r ears ago ordered plants from one 

 of our "low-priced" competitors, 10,000 of them. He knew he ordered the right variety 

 Premier, for his trade. He knew he could sell all of his berries at 25 cts. or more per 

 quart, but long before they came into bearing he saw he had only few Premiers scattered 

 through the patch, the others being a small soft unattractive variety, worthless for his 

 trade. Many, many dollars were lost trying to save $1.00 per thousand on his plants. 

 Last spring this same customer bought 20,000 Premier from us. He got Premier and he 

 got good plants. This year, 1923, he will be able to supply that fancy trade that comes 

 right to his door. 



We have many good friends among the market gardeners of this country. Some 

 of them tell us they average 10,000 quarts per acre from their strawberries. 5,000 quarts 

 or more per acre is not exceptional among market gardeners. You know what berries 

 usually bring in your section either as a buyer or seller. Figure it out for yourself and 

 estimate your chances for a profit. 



2. Fruit Growers and farmers can add to their income by growing a patch of 

 fancy berries. Many fruit farms where apples and peaches are the leading crops can 

 add another fruit crop that comes in early before any of the tree or bush fruits are ripe. 

 It bears the first year after planting, something no other fruit crop does. It is valuable 

 to plant in young orchards, the cultivation necessary being just the thing for the orchards, 

 and affording revenue from the land while the orchards are coming into bearing. 



General farmers or stock farmers can with very little extra help put in a few acres 

 of berries. One good man can take care of several acres, except at picking time, and 

 only a small acreage required for a relatively large cash business. Growers that must 

 ship their fruit should be doubly careful about varieties. Get varieties that will produce 

 fancy fruit and fruit that will ship. And be sure you are getting the variety you 

 order. Allen's Plants are "Good plants and True to name." 



3. Amateurs. If you have not grown strawberries before, that should not deter 

 you from starting this year because experience, though valuable, is not necessary. By 

 following the cultural directions given on pages 8 to 10, anyone with ordinary "horse- 

 sense" can successfully grow strawberries. It is a good crop for beginners to start with 

 because it requires relatively a small acreage, very little equipment and the returns per 

 acre are usualy such as to lend the much needed encouragement to beginners. Here 

 again great caution should be taken to select the right varieties for your locality and 

 purpose (home garden, local market, shipping). We will be glad to advise anyone about 

 varieties whether they buy from us or not. We are also glad to answer at any time any 

 questions we can concerning any phase of berry growing, or marketing. If we can help 

 you, call on us. 



4. Women Berry Growers. There is no kind of outdoor work more adapted to 

 being handled successfully by women than growing strawberries. Our remarks above 

 about market gardeners, fruit farmers, and amateurs apply equally to women and men. 

 Many women engage in strawberry growing for profit. Notice the number of testimo- 



