64 CROPS THAT PAY. 



kumquat be used advantageously in secondary planting, one should 

 not infer that this tree is not deserving of the planter's best atten- 

 tion as a money maker. Whether intentional or not, the Chinese 

 name "Gold Orange" is significant as a pleasing allusion to the value 

 of the kumquat for its rich and abundant harvest of fruit; for one of 

 the most remarkable things about the kumquat is its agreeable habit 

 of bearing in the greatest profusion those delicious little balls of gold 

 which are so readily exchanged for coins of gold in the northern 

 mid-winter markets. It is indeed prolific beyond the wont of the 

 other trees in its own family, a family which is noted for the 

 quantity as well as quality of its fruit product. 



The kumquat is an early bearer too. A few fruits are almost 

 sure to appear on the new wood of the tree in the same year it is 

 planted; while in the third year a yield of 20 to 30 dozens may be 

 expected. After that the yearly increase will be constant and give 

 a product of 150 to 200 dozens, at least, in the tenth year. 



The fruit is generally packed in quart boxes and shipped in 

 crates of 32 quarts. As the kumnuat, on account of its handsome 

 appearance, is much used for table decoration, it is the practice of 

 shippers to send a supply of the leaves packed in with the fruit. The 

 guileless packer is nothing loth to do this, for foliage fills up amaz- 

 ingly when skilful and willing hands do the packing, and kumquat 

 leaves are cheaper to grow than kumquat fruit. 



Shippers report that during the season of igos kumquats brought 

 an average of $8.50 a crate of 32 quarts. Now a quart of kumquats 

 contains an average of forty-five fruits, which makes an average 

 of seven cents a dozen paid to the shipper. The value of a kumquat 

 tree in its third year on this basis, assuming that the yield of the 

 tree is 25 dozens, would be $1.75, and in the tenth year, should the 

 same prices be obtained, the value of the tree yielding 175 dozens, 

 would be $12.25. Kumquat growers, who have realized as much as 

 this, would, it is safe to say, be glad to take much less for a series 

 of j'ears, and then consider themselves better paid than many other 

 kinds of fruit culture could possibly pay them. 



For the purposes of a conservative estimate, five cents a dozen for 

 the fruit and a yield of 20, 40, 60, 80. 100, 120, 140. 160, 160, 160 dozens 

 in the third and intervening years to the twelfth, can be accepted, 

 and this should allow amply for the expenses of the orchard. 

 Figured on this basis the income per tree would be, for the corres- 

 ponding years, $1,00, $2.00, $3.00. $4,00, $5.00, $6.00, $7.00 and $8.00— 

 the last in the loth year, and as much thereafter for many years. 

 From 100 to 200 trees may be set to the acre. 



The grower who can market his product in the form of pre- 

 serves will add greatly to his profit. 



The future of the kumquat is bright and the planter of citrus 

 fruits will do well to diversify his orchard products by liberally plant- 

 ing the "Gold Orange." 



