Cost of Bringing" into Bearing i 17 



Orange trees ought to produce some fruit in their 

 fifth and sixth years. Allowing for half a case per 

 tree at six years, at the price of 5s. per. case net 

 (at which price I have based my calculations), 

 this would still mean a net expense of 3 per acre, 

 after deducting all working expenses for the year. 



As well as other fruit, oranges require a harvest- 

 ing plant. In addition to picking cases or sweat 

 boxes, a storeroom or curing shed will have to be 

 erected, as oranges, after being picked, are generally 

 stored or "cured" on shelves or shallow boxes for a 

 week or so, to allow the skin to shrink' and become 

 leathery before being sent on a long journey. 



Through orange trees taking so long to come into 

 bearing, the loss of interest on the capital invested 

 is considerable, and after six years amounts to 

 10 10s., thereby adding that sum to the cost per 

 acre. 



A total capital outlay of almost 84 per acre for 

 six years appears, no doubt, a large sum ; but on 

 careful consideration I cannot see how it can be 

 reduced. In the above estimate no loss is allowed 

 for trees dying in their first year before they are 

 established, neither for special irrigations at plant- 

 ing or other times, or for carting water to young 

 trees during dry spells in between irrigations. So, 

 if anything, the total expenditure could easily be 

 increased. 



Probable Income from an Acre of Oranges. 



Oranges planted in good, deep soil usually com- 

 mence to bear in their fourth year. The crop, how- 

 ever, will be inconsiderable ; and the fifth year's crop 

 will also be small. At six years half a case to the 

 tree may be expected, while at seven years the 

 trees should be bearing a case or more to the tree, 

 and should therefore be showing a profit on the 

 money invested. A well-grown orange tree on 



