Our Berry Interests

The fruit growing industry of Ann Arbor and vicinity is one of considerable magnitude, and about which but little is known by a majority of our readers, or those living at a distance. With these facts in view Thï Register has thia week endeavored to gather such information as ït could, concerning the growth and cultivation oL berries in this immediate vicinity, so as to furnish an article, not for the particular benefit of the different growers, but one which will show the growth of the industry in Washtenaw county. Benjamin Day was first sought by the reporter, who at once entered into a pleasant conversation on the subject of berry growing. Myron Milla, of Ann Arbor town is probably the veteran berry grower in this section, but Mr. Day was the flrst to engage in the business on a large scale. In 1875 he planted the FIRST RKD RASPBERRT, of the Cuthbert variety, and from that date the raising of berries has grown to its present large proportions. There are many different varieties raised, but of the real raspberry th Cuthbert is the most extensively cultivated. The Gregg is the favorite of the black cap family, vrhile the Snyder is the leading variety of blackt erries. The history of the Cuthbert variety is a very peculiar one, and about which but little is known. A Mr. Cuthbert, who livea on the North River, a few miles above New York city, discovered it in his garden about 15 years ago, but how it carne there he has never been able to determine. Noticing the superior quality of the berry he began its cultivation, until today it is the most popular variety grown. After experimenting with the red raspberry for three or four years, and satisfyïng himself that they could be successfully grown in this section he set out the first BLACK RASPBERRT, commonly called the "black cap." The Gregg is the favorite variety and the one almost exclusively grown. At about the same time the introduction of the BLACKBERRY was made which is now quite extensively grown. As other berries, this one, too, has its favorite variety, the Snyder, which is a very prolific bearer. It would be sext to impossible to ascertain the exact number of acres under cultivation but to say that at least ONE HUNDRED ACRKS are now planted to berries is a very low estimat. Clayey soil seems to be best adapted to the general growth of the berry but they do well On any heavy soil. The erop this season has not been as heavy, per acre, as some others, on account of the extreme dry weather which set in just as the berry began to ripen, but those who cultivated their ground the most seem to realize the best crep. The life of the berry bush is only about five or six years, when they should be plowed up and new ones set out. One of the perplexing difnculties the growers here have to contend with is the express company, who, instead of lowering express charges, as the business increases, raise them each year. BERRY HARVE-.TINÖ berins about the first of july and lasts about a month. Usually boys and girls are employed for doing this work, for which they receive, on an average of a cent and a half per quart, and cao, by steady working, make from forty to sixty cents per day. By far the largest per cent. of the erop is shipped to Detroit and Toledo, priees varying from $2.50 to $4.00 per bughel, depending largeiy on the quality of the berry, the supply and the season. In a good season 60 busheb per acre is considerad a good erop, PROMINENT dltoWERS. As stated above Benjamin Day is the veteran grower, and has probably done as much or more to advance the business than any other person. He began on a small soale and gradually worked up, in the mean time experimenting with different vwieties and methods of culture, nd from bis experience, other raisers are indebted in a large measure for their success in the business. At present his patch is not large but his interest, in it continúes unabated, and he will ever be found willing to give the new beginner the benefit of long years experience. When he first commenced, twelve years ago, he shipped mostly to Detroit where he received $7.00 per bushel. J. D. Baldwin planted his first bush in 1880, and is today probably the largest grower in this section, having sixteen acres under cultivation, four where he lives on Greddes-ave and twelve on the Chubb road. Mr. Baldwin raises only black caps and blackberries, to the latter of which he gives the most attention, and ships daily lrom 20 to 30 bushels. He will have about 400 bushels of the black caps which will average him $2.75 per bushel. The blackberry erop is just being picked and an estímate of thia erop he was unable to give. The drought has not effected his erop to any great extent, which he 6ays, is due to the thorough cultivation he gives his ground. E. H. Scott, proprietor of "Elm Fruit Farm," is also an extensive grower. He commenced in a small way 10 years ago until now he picks berries from fifteen acres, whidh is divided about equally tween the three kinds. He introduced the Gregg variety of black caps Diñe years ago. About 35 boys and girls can be Been there any day picking berries and he expects that they will piek 500 or 600 bushels, which will bring him trom $3.00 to $4.00 per bushel. Mr. Scott s a firin believer in the old adage that the "early bird catches the worm," and raises the early variety of the red raspberry which brings in more money, per bushel, than does the later ones. He has heretofore engaged quite extensivly in the sale of plants, hie sales amounting, some seasons, as high as 200,000 plants. In 1882 J. E. Sumner planted half an acre and has kept adding to it until now he is the proud possesser of a 7-acre berry patch, located about a inile and a half south of the city on State-st. His erop will Dot be large this year on account of the drought. Between two and three hundred bushels will be about the amount of his pickinga, which are mostly black berries. On Chubb road Jacob Ganzhorn cultivates a 4-acre patch. He raises mostly the red raspberries and black caps. L. Gruner commenced about three years ago on the Poster road. He has red raspberries and black caps spread over three HM Prof. E. Baur commenced ten years ago and now cultivates three acres on west Hurón st. Mr. Baur takes a great interest in all kinds of fruit and is one of the enthusiastic workers in the Pomological society. J. H. Clough is one of the largest growers, although he did not commence the business until two years ago. Ten acres is the size of his " plantation " and he picks as many bushels to the acre ss any of his neighbors. John Allmand, on west Huron-gt, is one of the earliest growers, haring commenced in a small way, when the business was in its infancy, and now he picks beries f rom six acres. There are many others who are engaged in raising berries, on a small scale, who are deserving of inention, but time and space fOrbidt.