51 



The initial outlay for planting an acre of oranges 

 is greater than that of any other class of fruit, owing 

 chiefly to the greater cost of the trees themselves. 

 In planting, also, greater care than is necessary with 

 other trees has to be taken, and if the season is dry 

 a special irrigation will be needed at planting time. 



On calculating the annual expenses of cultivation 

 and irrigation at 5 per acre a low estimate has 

 been taken. A glance at the young orange planta- 

 tions at Berri at once reveals the blocks that have 

 received the best cultivation. So readily do orange 

 trees respond to good cultivation that a first class 

 looked after orange grove will come into profitable 

 bearing at least? a year before a block that has 

 received but average attention. 



Orange trees ought to produce some fruit in their 

 fifth and sixth years. Allowing for half a case per 

 tree at six years, at the price of 5/ per case net. 

 This would still mean a net expense of 3 per acre, 

 after deducting all working expenses for the year. 



As well as other fruit, oranges require a harvesting 

 plant. In addition to picking cases or sweat boxes, 

 a storeroom or curing shed will have to be erected, as 

 oranges, after being picked, are generally stored 

 or "cured" on shelves or shallow boxes for a few 

 days to a week to allow the skin to shrink and become 

 leathery before being sent on a long journey. 



Through orange trees taking so long to come into 

 bearing, the loss of interest on the capital invested 

 is considerable, and after six years amounts to 

 10 10 /, thereby adding that sum to the cost per acre. 



A total capital outlay of 85 per acre for six years 

 appears, no doubt, a * large sum ; but on careful 

 consideration I cannot see how it can be reduced. 

 In the above estimate no loss is allowed for treea 

 dying in their first year before they are established, 

 neither for special irrigations at planting or other 

 times, or for carting water to young trees during dry 

 spells in between irrigations. So, if anything, the 

 total expenditure could easily be increased. 



