98 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1903 



EXPENSES. 



1899-1901, estimated expenses per acre for three years, including rent of land, 



fertilizers, cultivating, spraying and marketing $148 80 



1902, 45 tons per acre b irnyard manure at 50c. per ton 22 50 



Rent of land per acre 3 00 



Cultivating and spraying per acre 14 43 



Baskets and boxes 120 12 



Picking, packing and marketing ."... 145 77 



Total expenses ... . 454 62 



Total receipts per acre for 4 years $ 940 15 



Total expenses n i 454 62 



Net receipts 485 53 



Average profits per acre per year $ 12138 



There were 51 2| gallons of small apples which were not sold, of which 119 gallons 

 were among the picked fruit and 393 1 gallons among the windfalls. 



The reason that there is such a large proportion of windfalls is that the Wealthy 

 apple drops badly, and this was especially the case this year. The windfalls, however, 

 which v/ere sold brought a better price than the second grade picked apples, and as 

 good prices as picked fruit from other "Wealthy trees. There is a great advantage in 

 having a good local market, as the windfalls can be disposed of before they decay. The 

 expenses are all estimated on a very liberal basis. The greatest yield of picked fruit 

 from one tree in 1902 was 16^ gallons, and the greatest yield of windfalls and picked 

 fruit was 34 gallons from the same tree. 



It has not been possible to obtain the exact cost of this orchard prior to 1899, but 

 including rent of land, cost of trees, planting and cultivating, the expenses per acre 

 would be about |150. 



When such good returns can be had in a short time from Wealthy apple trees 

 planted 10 feet apart, it is worthy of consideration. Is it not possible that it would be 

 a good practice to have blocks of such early bearing trees of different ages and keep 

 rooting out the older ones when they begin to fail 1 The development of this little 

 orchard of Wealthy apple trees will be watched with much interest. 



SEEDLING APPLES. 



A larger number of seedling apples than usual were received for examination this 

 year, which was probably due to the fact that apple trees bore well. It is gratifying to 

 know that the originators of these fruits are desirous of getting our opinion of them, and 

 it is hoped that still more will send in specimens. The judgment passed upon the 

 m.ajority of seedlings is unfavourable to them, as it is very rarely that a variety is equal 

 or better than the best named kinds. 



Most of our best commercial apples, however, are chance seedlings and other good 

 kinds will probably originate that way. The more seedlings that are raised, the greater 

 chances there are of getting something of superior merit. 



