THESE BERRIES ARE BEST BY FARR

EVANS MILLS — The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" might be an appropriate title to describe Best By Farr, a berry patch owned by Richard D. and Valerie Farr.

"I don't know what we'd do if we didn't grow strawberries," said Mr. Farr, who has operated the business with his wife for the past two decades. "We've had a pretty good reputation over the years with quality berries."

Best By Farr's four acres of U-Pick strawberry fields opened Saturday to large crowds once again eager to gather their own berries.

"Yesterday was really busy," said Mrs. Farr on Sunday. She explained that pickers, who often return from previous years, are attracted by word of mouth and by the fact that straw in the rows keeps the berries clean.

"They seem to taste good here," said Mr. Farr. "Another thing that makes our berries good is they grow on clay soil and the varieties we grow seem to like clay."

In addition to U-Pick, the Farrs also sell pre-picked strawberries, raspberries and sweet corn, depending on the season. Although the wet weather has been good for growing big strawberries, they said the upkeep on the fields is demanding.

"You work all year for three weeks of picking," said Mr. Farr.

Mrs. Farr offered a tip for prospective pickers to keep in mind: "Berries are sweeter when you pick them when the sun's on them," she said.

Pickers on Sunday afternoon expressed a variety of reasons for being there.

"I can usually eat some in the fields," said Caleb J. Hamilton, son of Stephanie and Joseph Hamilton of Black River. The 10-year-old picked strawberries in other locations but said he preferred Best By Farr.

"They have way bigger strawberries," he said.

Other children were there for the squishiness, not the size, of the berries.

"You get really dirty with the strawberry juice," said 10-year-old Shelby H. Gill, daughter of Leslie and Donald Gill of Felts Mills. "You can also pick strawberries and make jam with them."

Shelby and her younger sister, Alaura K. Gill, said they liked to make shortcake, pies and ice cream glaze with the fruit as well.

"My favorite part about strawberry picking is picking them and eating them," said 8-year-old Alaura.

Eleven-year-old Lori S. Collins, daughter of Miranda Thomas and David Collins of Oswego, agreed.

"My favorite part is eating the juicy strawberries," she said.

Shelby, Alaura and Lori were picking with Jennifer L. Akins of Felts Mills, a friend of their families. Ms. Akins said she enjoyed the berries at Best By Farr.

"They have the best strawberries. They're the sweetest and yummiest," she said.

Best By Farr U-Pick is open from "8 (a.m.) till late" every day of the week. For more information, call the business at 629-4801.