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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



as closely calculated. Floating estimates vary even more than 

 the floating estimates of the acreage. Healthy, well-managed 

 orchards probably average gross sales of $100 per acre, taking all 

 classes of fruit together, and one season with another, but there 

 are no reliable statistics of this side of the industry. Returning 

 to an estimate of a present surplus of 600,000,000 pounds of fresh 

 fruit, this at two cents (the average value in the orchards one year 



VACAVILLE PEAR TKBE. 



with another) would yield the growers $12,000,000 and would prob- 

 ably cost the consumer $36,000,OOG. This does not include the 

 value of the product of the wine grapes. It only represents the 

 output of the gold mine of the orchards. Commercially, of course, 

 the volume of business created is represented by the cost to the 

 consumer. 



Studies of the future of an industry are seldom useful. Plant- 

 ing of trees and vines continues steadily, and if there is a demand 



