The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1921-02-24
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; STRAWBERRY Is GOOD
TENNESSEE CROP 4
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TENNESSEE CROP .
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(Article No. 81
State Largest Producer Of Early
Berries.
fBy G. G. Brehm, Division of Ex-
tension.l
Tennessee is one of the largest pro-
ducing states Of early strawberries,
Humboldt being the center Of the
bulk Of the crop in West Tennessee
and Dayton, in East Tennessee. Since
1916 the acreage in the state-at-
large declined from II, 496 acres to
Z ,480 acres in 1919, or total decline
of 1856 acres. The decline was
sharpest in 1916. While figures for
the acreage in 1920 are not yet avail
able, it is believed that it was about
the same as 1919. A similar de-
cline in proportion to the acreage
was reported in the other states where
early Strawberries are largely grown.
The reasons for the declining in acre
age are economic. First, the prices
in 1916 were barely profitable, which
caused many to get out Of the game;
second, the great difficulty in secur-
ing labor necessary in harvesting the
crop.
coincident with this decline in
acreage there was an increased con-
sumption, both for culinary purposes
and fruit juice purposes, both Of
which have had their effect in stimu-
lating the price. National prohi-
bition has stimulated the demand
for fruit juices and preserving pur-
poses, so that demands for this pur-
pose are greatly in excess Of what it
was four years ago and is still IN,
creasing. It is a fact that various
interests have never been as active
to contract the crop ahead Of the
shipping season and at as high prices
as this past year. AS result, prices
rose in 1919 to 18 to 35. cents per
quart, the highest prices being paid
for the early berries
AS result Of these high prices
many growers are considering the
advisabiity of increasing their acre
age this year. Also many farmers
in various parts Of the state are con-
sidering getting started with the
crop.
| am Of the opinion that with the
same care exercised as in growing
any other croD there is no reason
why strawberries should not prove
rs safe risk as many other crops.
COMPARING values with other crops
the rast two years, in spite of cur
tailed production from frost and
other causes, they have been much
more profitable than many other
crops It is believed that the crop
will prove equally profitable as
many other crops. It is believed that
the crop will prove equally as profit
able for number of years as it
has for the past few years, assuming
that the growing of it is undertaken
in the right way, in spite Of the in
creased acreage expected this year
under favorable weather conditions.
However,, 1t is not a crop to plunge
in-that is, planting an extensive
area, particularly by those who have
never grown the crop before. Rather
planting should be confined to a
limited area, probably two to four
acres. From figures gathered from
the Division of Extension on the
gross average profit per acre, in the
state last year was $33735, this be-
ing determined from reports Of
actual sales. The cost per acre Of
producing CROP is approximately
S125, labor Of picking being the big
item. which leaves "a net profit Of
S212.35 per acre. Smallest net profit |
per acre. 500.