[ 372' i 



apply to fruit trees generally, as some trees such as plantains, 

 palms &c./ may be planted 6 or 7 cubits apart, while others 

 such as mangoes or jack should be planted 25 or 30 ft. apart. 

 But the above estimate of income of Rs. 25 per acre from a 

 mixed orchard may be taken as a reasonable approximation. 

 Under exceptionally favourable circumstances, however, a net 

 profit of over Rs. 2,000 per acre may be obtained from suitable 

 fruit trees. There is one mango tree in Maldah, for instance, 

 which is leased out annually for Rs. 30, paid in advance, 

 whatever be the number of fruits finally obtained from this 

 tree. Seventy such trees grown on one acre might give a net 

 income of Rs. 2,000 per annum. But one must not base his 

 calculations on very extraordinary and exceptional circum- 

 stances, but on the average experience of the country. 



CHAPTER LXIV. 



THE DATE-PALM. 



'1PHE following account of the date-palm taken from West- 

 land's Report of the Jessore District will give some 

 idea of the great value of this tree. 



555. "One of the most important industries in the district 

 of Jessore is the cultivation and manufacture of date-sugar. 

 There are so many people who derive from sugar all that they 

 have above the mere necessaries of life, that it may be consi- 

 dered that the sugar cultivation and trade is the root of all 

 (heir prosperity. In a statistical table prepared in 1791 we 



