4G0 Transactions of the 



found by observation that the larger fruits, such as pears, apples, and 

 quinces, will average, when carefully marketed, ahout two cents per 

 pound. Among those engaged in the cherry culture, I have to hear of 

 the first one who finds it unprofitable. I might speak as favorably of 

 other kinds of 1'ruits, such as plums, apricots, nectarines, etc.. The dif- 

 ferent kinds of berries are as important in our local market as any other 

 variety of fruit, as shown by reported sales in San Francisco. 



BLACKBERRIES. 



I cannot speak with certainty of the profits of these, with the excep- 

 tion of blackberries. There has been a very gredt difference in the 

 price of this berry in the last few years, varying from twenty or twenty- 

 five to eight cents per pound, the average price of last year — this last 

 figure paying the producer well. From an acre of good vines six thou- 

 sand four hundred pounds may be raised — they will oftener produce 

 more than less. These, at eight cents per pound, would amount to five 

 hundred and twelve dollars. 1 will introduce the debtor side of this 

 account and find the net profit. Plowing and fitting the ground, six dol- 

 lars; twelve hundred and forty roots, eighteen dollars and sixty cents; 

 labor in planting, three dollars. Total, twenty-seven dollars and seventy 

 cents. This is all that can be charged to the first year's account, as the 

 further cultivation is chargeable to a crop of vegetables raised on the 

 same ground. Second year: trimming vines, eight dollars; cultivating, 

 nine dollars; rent of land, twenty dollars; picking and marketing at 

 three cents per pound, one hundred and ninety-two dollars; expenses 

 the first year, interest added, thirty dollars. Total, two hundred and 

 fifty-nine dollars; leaving a net profit of two hundred and fifty-three 

 dollars. I think this may be regarded as an average profit from the 

 vines in future years. 



LARGE FRUIT. 



As regards the quantity of the larger fruits raised, one need but look 

 upon any well cultivated tree when loaded with fruit, and in his mind 

 multiply the number of pounds by eighty, the number of large trees to 

 the acre, and this by two cents, the average price, and every one will 

 see the profit in the investment. But one says: -All very fine; I have 

 a lot of apple trees that bear the best of fruit, but I fail to see the two 

 cents per pound." Says another: "I have good pears, but none come 

 after them at any price." Another: "I was down town and inquired 

 the price of peaches. They told me they had plenty." All these men 

 say: "I don't see how this thing of raising fruit can pay." So they 

 market none of their crop green, as the traders are well supplied; neither 

 dried, as the labor of drying costs more than the fruit will bring. They 

 do not even dry sufficient for their own use, although they have abundant 

 leisure. Nor have they even a few pigs that might be fattened without 

 trouble, and they (the pigs) might certainly be marketed; and if the 

 account at the grocery be looked over and see the number of times bacon 

 and lard are charged, one might infer that a goodly amount might find 

 a home market. I have said nothing of the grape, but it will lose none 

 of its merits if I puss it over to our able and worthy fellow member who 

 is soon to give us an essay on this noble fruit and its uses. 



During the years an orchard is coming into bearing, the ground may 

 be planted with vegetables, which will pay all the expenses of cultiva- 

 tion. We should not forget to set out a small nursery of young trees, 



