FOR PROFIT. 141 



In 19 10, sixteen acres of Apples sold for ;^ 1,000, 

 on the trees. The crop was short that season, but 

 other orchards made good prices. 



Cherries are a special crop in Kent, being- mostly 

 sold by auction on the trees when immature; an 

 exact nett return can be given. In this case the 

 seller takes the entire proceeds of the sale, less the 

 Auctioneer's 5 per cent, commission. An average 

 spread over many years give the returns of an 

 established orchard at about £^zo per acre. A young 

 plantation at 48 trees to the acre, would, the first few 

 years of bearing, make 2s. to 5s. per tree, and after 

 that the produce would be greater year by year. An 

 orchard of 24 acres, for which we supplied the trees, 

 was sold at 20 years old for ;^300, which shows a 

 good profit for capital invested ; and this orchard will 

 continue to improve for 30 years. In 1890, 42 acres 

 on this farm sold for ^630 with half a crop, and in 

 after years up to ;^ 1,500. 



Cherries from abroad are very inferior samples, and 

 we need not fear competition in this fruit. Orchards 

 in Worcester and Gloucester sell for a much larger 

 sum. The average price of White and Black Cherries 

 has risen considerably the past 20 years, and all who 

 have suitable land would find them a profitable 

 investment. 



Cobnuts and Filberts. — A ton or even more is 

 occasionally grown per acre, but an average yield 

 may be set at about 10 cwt. ; lately 2 to 2\ tons have 

 been grown in good years. Prices range from 3d. to 

 6d. per lb., according to supply. In some years 3/- 

 per lb. has been reached. A crop gives about ;^i5 

 per acre nett, allowing for Apples, etc., over them. 



