428 FRUIT CULTURE FOR PROFIT. 



the inquirer. And beyond this, some men delight in 

 making themselves appear cleverer than their neighbours ; 

 and to this end will give forth the results of one profitable 

 year. But as one swallow does not make a summer, by 

 the same rules of argument, one year's crop cannot be 



taken as an estimate of the future yearly income. A heavy 

 crop of one year is often succeeded by a light one in the 



, next, and to place this estimate on a sound basis, the 

 average of three, four, or five years should be taken. 

 Statistics, to be of any value, should begin at the beginning. 

 An account should be kept on both sides, from the first 

 shilling spent up to the period when the trees give a 

 marketable return. The sum total to this period may be 

 treated as capital sunk. After this, the average of not 

 less than four years should be taken as the probable yearly 

 returns. Or the matter may be looked at in another way. 

 The capital expended may be set down as money 

 borrowed, on which a fixed interest is to be paid till it is 

 returned. 



An orchard of the larger fruits may be estimated to 

 last in a good bearing condition from thirty to fifty years, 

 according to the soil and management. Fruit trees come 

 into bearing sooner, and die out sooner, when planted on 

 sandy and light soils than on soils of a heavier or stronger 

 nature. 



In conclusion, permit me to say that what I have 

 advanced should not discourage the planting of fruit trees. 

 On the contrar}', if I have been understood as I wish to be, 

 fruit culture in England may be judiciously extended in a 

 very considerable degree. But it should be guarded and 

 guided by the appropriate selection of climate, soil, sorts, 

 and above all a high system of cultivation directed by a 

 knowledge of the business. With regard to the question 

 of supply and demand, I believe that a much larger 

 quantity of English fruit would meet with a ready sale if 

 put before the public in a tempting state. I may also say 

 that I am clearly and decidedly of the opinion that there 



