The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-08-23
HUCKLEBERRIl'IijE:.S'';....
arc Valuable to Miners Families in
Pennsylvania. t.-5
CLEAR UP ss250,Qo0 A YEAR.
Dogs Guard Them From Snakes
While They Pluck the Berries.
Work Done Mainly BY Women and
children-How as Miners Widow
Paid:for a Block.

HAzLEToN, Pa, Aug. 22.-The
huckleberry crop Is a godsend to the
families Of Coal miners at; and in the
vicinity of Hazleton, returning to them
as It does between $4,000 and $50, 900
every year during the months that the
season lasts, and what Is true Of the
mining center Is true Of others, for the
mountain regions OF the entire anthra-
cite field are prolific in their yield OF
this popular fruit.
It Is estimated that the total crop Is
worth notices. than $3.50, 900 to. the min:
ing families. Inwhdt Is known as the
Diamond, Addition Of Halle TN one Of
the handsomest blocks OF buildings is
the property or asminer,s widow, who
was left penniless with three small chill
dren. all girls, ften years ago The block
was built fund paid for entirely; by the
proceeds from the sale OF huckleberries
picked BY the widow and her three
children. ii.l
Thronged With Picturesque Parties.
The huckleberry piekers OF this re-
gion are chiefly the wives and chill
dren Of the Hungarian miners ami
Italian laborers: Early, every morning
during the berry season every avenue
leading to the huckleberry mountains
is thronged with picturesque parties
laden with baskets, boxes, pals. and
receptables OF every kind that can be
utilized by the splckers in their work,
and hurrying to be the first at favorlte
and profitable berry patches. The
Italian women and children are the
most apt and akillful OF the pickers.
An Italian woman can pick easily forty
quarts aday, which. averaging the sea-
son through, Is equivalent to 81 earned.
Then these women have each on an
average three children old enough to
be berry pickers. who add as much
more to the days income. Every italian
woman comes from the picking bearing
a large box OF berries on her head and
carrying "a big pailful or basketful in
each hand, while her children also are
well !laden.f q Z -
Every Vessel Overlooking.
Between the hours of 10 and II O'clock
in the forenoon the berry pickers be-
gin % come. In from the hills, every
vessel overlooking With the wild fruit.
ard the!frst picking OF the day is ready
TO ee delivered to the dealers. some OF
whom. toexpedite the business. meet
the pickers wIthswagons al convenient
p2irts, whera the berries are purchased
AMI paid for In cash on the spot. The
average price Is .. cents a quart. al
though for he;early blues, the variety
that ripens first, and 10 cents quart
Is paid. according to the abundance or
scarcity of the crop.
After. delivering their first pick the
women and children hurry back to the
berry patches and begin work on the
second picking. The midday sun-and
a huckleherry barren IS swelterirg
sitting spot-hasl no de,erring effect on
the, pickers. They think only OF how
many berries It Is possible for them to
get into market for the day. Frequent
49, ~. &c. .titNs. = w. N.,.s
-. ,ne ~ III snffs sessoi. t anu ens
toll underground they hasten to the
"olt ~ netp 'ns 81
=, ~ -. ! 50 80 81 - :
tSA.'- s - 'as''.
logs: act as iGuards.
Hu ltclRieoerry picking In this region
mas an accompaniment not familiar TO
others districts, It is said. Little dogs
that form part Of the huckleberryins
outfit go to the mountains with the
pickers by the score. These dogs have
an important duty to perform, and they
w not hesi'ate IN the performances OF u.
tnoeea theS seem 70 thoroughly ea]oy
~. ae,t ou.y Is 70 nun. OUT anu klil
me "a. .iesi'aNes ana coppefheau snahes
may are numerous o., me nuckteoet.S
oaiisns, anu warn prii ltie5 piehels Oh 'ne
IT, , :. - .ne j. eno ,n,,s .ersi.ss
sen ~ ~ .,u'ei. 6,
@ anases, ane,, .has .nss a,s wei wen
~. 80 .. 'ne aeqaty ."e .t
nc . l,'a l;:' py Tag "afifess tnes
srIn 80, III. .yl,to ~. $3.50. - -. ~
hara..S, ".en ',' taAn I Inv. se, ~.
.n tsp,.ie rom .afi mn, anu a,Ways oy
s" 81 n.N, !, nov ana .nen Jug oHt w, !,
~ n.s poseis ~ as ".sn
ot..n = anu - p.,.sH, u. ~,
,hn'.a,. s"s Gos Mnp" u''.s. ~. ''' So
"s so'' margin OF OF u spring, run OF