PRICES OP FRUIT. 29 



varies according to location, situation, and the amount 

 of clearing to be done, and suitable land can be 

 secured throughout the various parts of the district 

 at prices ranging from $30 (£6) to $100 (£20) per acre. 

 As a general rule, it is better to commence by clearing 

 sufficient land to put in strawberries and small fruits, 

 so as to secure an early revenue, and then gradually 

 to clear and improve the remainder for orchard 

 purposes. Clearing can, however, be done by a 

 contract or by day labour. It may be broadly stated 

 that, with a capital of $2,000 (£400) to $2,500 (£500), 

 20 acres of good land can be cleared and planted with 

 fruit-trees and strawberries and other small fruits, 

 and that this amount of land is sufficient for an 

 ordinary family, and should afford a good and 

 sufficient income to live well upon " (pp. 18-19). 



Now, it is evident, on a little reflection, that, while 

 these statements may be true, they are incomplete as 

 a summary of the situation. If the land alone cost 

 $100 per acre (and this, I may add, is the average 

 price that would have to be paid now), the price of the 

 20 acres would absorb the whole of the settler's capital. 

 If, however, we put the cost price of the land at $50, 

 the settler, after paying for his land, would have 

 $1,000 to $1,500 left. Assume that the clearing costs 

 hini $40 (or better say $50) per acre, he has just 

 about sufficient capital left to plant his land with. 

 Twenty acres planted with 50 trees (if apples) per acre, 

 at 30 feet apart every way, would cost for the trees 

 alone (1,000 of them), one-year-old trees, $150 to $250. 

 Add to this the expense of planting, fencing, the sup- 

 port of a family during two years ; for, even though the 

 man succeeds in clearing 2 acres the first year and 



