SYSTEMS OF CULTURE ORCHARDING -PROFITS. 783 



best produce, and unless those desirous of engaging in fruit growing for profit are able 

 and willing to act on that principle, it would be wisest to have nothing to do with it, but 

 go on struggling with adversity to the end. 



Taking the whole life of the fruits, from planting the trees to the cessation of useful 

 production, the profits are not more than to warrant a safe investment of capital, and 

 afford a fair living by hard working, and something for old age. Fortunes accrue onlv 

 to the few growers possessed of energy, enterprise and business aptitude in a superior 

 degree, others secure a fair livelihood, while several fail. So is it with the trees, 

 some prove thrifty and profitable where others become wasted by " canker " or "gum " ; 

 many bear profusely for a time, but cease to be profitable when others are remunerative 

 and will afford good returns for many years. The precocious varieties are not nearly so 

 long-lived as those slow in arriving at a profitable bearing state. The first are more fitted 

 for cultivated plantations than orchards on grass, and have been disregarded in the 

 following approximate estimate of the periods of remunerative bearing and the yearly 

 values from planting the trees to their ceasing to be profitable : Apples, 40 60 years, 

 profit 10 20 ; cherries, 6075 years, profit 15 30 ; pears, 75100 years, profit 

 10 20 ; plums, 30 40 years, profit 15 30 per acre. These estimates, based 

 on the doings of trees in favourable situations and soils, also subject to 25 per cent, dis- 

 count, to allow for losses from spring frosts and invasions of fungi and insects, are fairly 

 representative of the best British orchards. 



