The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-06-23
ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT.
Fruit Growiog in Arkansas.

Tn shipping strawberries to northern markets, and now that the shipping season is over it might be we'll to give 8 short resume of the shipments and the amount of money that has been brought to Judsonia through this means.
 In trying to make an estimate we wish it distinctly understood that while the figures we give may not be exact they shall be within reason, so that if anything our estimate will be lower than the actual figures.
 We find by MT. Thompson's express book that during the first two and one-half weeks in May there were shipped from this point little over 5000 cases of strawberries, which was at least doubled by the shipments made after that time. We have talked with several shippers and find that a net average to each shipper of S2.50 per case would be low estimate, as many of them claim to have realized $3 and more. We find that the straw berry crop alone has brought into our community from $20,000 to S25,000 cash to the fruit growers, very re- spectable sum considering that our net acreage will not exceed one hundred acres-making net of S200 to $250 per acre.
 MT. Thompson has paid the drafts of one commission house in St. Louis and he informs us that he has paid MT. Hacker over $900 for berries shipped to that house alone. Mr. Hacker has nine acres in trawberries and has made shipments to all points in the north, realizing handsome re- turns from his season's labor. Other parties have done just as we'll, but we refer to this case as our attention was called to it especially.
 The season this year has been unus- ually unfavorable for rawberry growing, as we have been without rain just when we most needed it to mature and ripen the berry, and in consequence we have not had much over third of crop. Still it will be seen from the above figures that it pays even to grow third crop.
 On the other hand the market has been unusually good this year, owing to the almost entire failure of the berry crop in other sections of the country. Thus we find, that taking everything into consideration, it has been good average year.
 To those who are thinking of locat- in Arkansas we would refer the above facts, which will be authenticated by any citizen of our community, and if you think it will be to your interest to move here and engage in this busi- nees you will receive hearty welcome. But don't think you can come here and make a success of it the first sea- son, or second, for there are many things you will have to learn before it will become profitable investment, but after you have learned how there is no reason why you should not make an easy living in the culture of straw berries as well as anyone else. The climate and soil are all favorable, and while the price of improved land is considered high by some who come from the north, it should be remem- bered that it does not require one- third of the land for straw wberry and fruit farm that it does for corn and wheat farm, and that as the business grows and the country becomes more thickly settled the price of land will still advance,-Juisonid Adcance.
 Arkansas as Fruit Producing State.
 Among the many resources of Ar kansas it's capability as fruit pro- ducing state is one which we must not lose sight of. That it is favorably situated, none can dispute.
 Occupying position which--while 1t is not so far south but what the apple will grow in all its perfection and be free from many of the ills which are 80 detrimental to it's sue. cessful raising in so many of the northern states-will admit of the successful culture of many fruits that must be supplied to the northern mar kets from more favored climate. Her position also renders the southern markets available. She can supply them with fruit that they cannot grow to perfection and with profit at home.
 Arkansas has already done much toward showing the world what she can do in fruit raising. She has shown that in the quality of her fruit she is surpassed by none.
 What she now wants is some enter prising fruit culturist to show what she can do in production-some one to take up the culture of fruit in com mercial way.
 Her fruit-producing qualities have been shown in a general way by anna teurs and farmers who have paid some attention to fruit growing, as much for pleasure as for profit.
 These qualities being ascertained and settled beyond dispute, we may con- ddently expect her to make rapid strides in the near fntnre