326 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



markets, and take large quantities of cherries, selling them mostly on a 

 commission basis. Both of these markets prefer the small so-called 

 "Los Angeles lug-box," which holds about 25 pounds of cherries. The 

 Los Angeles trade furnishes this box to the grower. 



The canners who confine themselves mostly to the Royal Anne variety 

 and some of the soft whites for pie fruit, formerly used a large portion 

 of the white cherry crop, but of late years are going into Oregon for 

 their supply, being able to buy to better advantage there. A few years 

 ago, there was a large tonnage put up in Maraschino, but now the 

 French cherry is imported at a lower price. A duty of two or three 

 cents per pound might bring back this industry to California. A small 

 quantity of cherries is also used for glace fruit. 



In considering the planting of a cherry orchard the first question 

 that arises is, "What will be the probable returns of this fruit as 

 compared with other fruits ? ' ' Many conditions enter into the making 

 of a successful orchard and unless these conditions are met, no fruit 

 will pay what it should. As with other fruits, there are orchards which 

 make large returns and others which are a poor investment. 

 ' There are years when the eastern markets are good and years of good 

 crops, and off-years either in crop or market. Therefore, it is impossible 

 to give exact figures on the average revenue from a cherry orchard. The 

 average price on eastern sliipments returned to the grower for the last 

 ten years was $1.04 per 10-pound box. The early districts average 

 better than this and the later ones, less. The lowest average was $.82 in 

 1904, and the highest $1.44 in 1907. Deducting $.50 for picking and for 

 packing-house expenses leaves a net of $.54 per box, or say 5^ cents a 

 pound for shipping fruit. 



The yield per acre depends upon the age and size of the trees and 

 other conditions. A conservative estimate after the orchard is in bear- 

 ing, would be an average revenue of from $150.00 to $200.00 an acre. 

 Some old orchards, or those situated iii favored localities, will average 

 better than this. These figures are the net revenue from the fruit ; the 

 care of the orchard must be deducted. 



The cherry has been a profitable crop in the past and should be so in 

 the future unless very heavy plantings are made. 



On account of the cost of preparing and getting the California cherry 

 to the eastern market, it has to be sold at prices which make it a luxury, 

 in order to leave any profit to the grower. The retail price ranges from 

 $.15 to $.30 per pound. This greatly limits the quantity which can be 

 sold. There seems to be no hope of reducing this expense in the future 

 as the costs for labor and material are steadily rising and freight 

 charges are not apt to go much lower. 



"With our later varieties of cherries, we will soon have to meet com- 

 petition with Washington and Idaho. Their fruit is of good quality, 

 and while in the past their pack has not compared favorably with ours, 

 they are rapidly adopting our methods and we must be prepared to 

 divide the market with them. The Southern strawberry crop always 

 affects the cherry market to greater or less extent, but will probably be 

 no worse in the future than it has been in the past. 



In concluding, I would say that a cherry orchard, like any other 

 orchard, will pay in direct proportion to the intelligent care it receives 

 and the business ability of the owner. 



