quart, and the demand was fully supplied. It is estimated that the
crop for the year 1879, handled in Cincinnati, amounted to from
seventy-five thousand to eighty thousand bushels--the crop being a
fairly good one--selling at an average of about two dollars per
bushel." It has been stated in "The Country Gentleman" that about
$5,000,000 worth of small fruits were sold in Michigan in one year;
and the same authority estimates that $25,000,000 worth are consumed
annually in New York city. In the future it would seem that this
demand would increase even more rapidly; for in every fruit-growing
region immense canning establishments are coming into existence, to
which the markets of the world are open. Therefore, in addition to the
thousands already embarked in this industry, still larger numbers will
engage in it during the next few years.

Those who now for the first time are turning their attention toward
this occupation may be divided mainly into two classes. The first
consists of established farmers, who, finding markets within their
reach, extend their patches of raspberries, currants, or strawberries
to such a degree that they have a surplus to sell. To the extent that
such sales are remunerative, they increase the area of fruits, until
in many instances they become virtually fruit farmers. More often a
few acres are devoted to horticulture, and the rest of the farm is
carried on in the old way.

The second class is made up chiefly of those who are unfamiliar with
the soil and its culture--mechanics, professional men, who hope to
regain health by coming back to nature, and citizens whose ill-success
or instincts suggest country life and labors. From both these classes,
and especially from the latter, I receive very many letters,
containing all kinds of questions. The chief burden on most minds,