2l8 COST AND PROFITS. 



The cost of fuel will of course vary widely, 

 but under ordinary conditions, that is, in regions 

 where the temperature seldom goes lower than 

 twelve degrees below zero for any length of time, 

 the amount of fuel necessary to heat houses hold- 

 ing ten thousand plants will probably not exceed 

 one hundred and twenty-five dollars. 



The cost of labor, not including that of the 

 grower himself, which is not estimated here, 

 should not exceed three hundred and fifty dollars 

 per year. In other words the grower himself 

 with the assistance of one good man can easily 

 handle ten thousand plants. It may be necessary 

 to make some allowance for the busy season, 

 when possibly an extra man would have to be 

 taken on for a month. With the grower under- 

 standing his business it is not necessary to have 

 an expert as an assistant. An ordinary laborer, 

 provided he is quick, active, and willing to work, 

 will answer every purpose. Such help can be 

 obtained for twenty-five to thirty dollars per 

 month. Labor, therefore, we estimate at three 

 hundred and fifty dollars per year. For inci- 

 dentals, including express charges and various 

 minor matters, we estimate one hundred dollars. 

 These figures will vary, of course, in different 

 localities but are, we believe, a fair average. 



Summarized, the total outlay for ten thousand 

 plants per year is as follows : 



