THE COMMERCIAL ASPECT OF HARDY FRUIT GROWING. 809 
very well treated of in the Eoyal Horticultural Society's Journal, 
Vol. XIL, p. 582. 
Average Eeturns. 
The expenses of hardy fruit culture having been reviewed 
somewhat fully, because they are too often underrated in pub- 
lished estimates, the average profits are compressed into a 
small space, and low averages taken in every instance. They 
are also put in a form that admits of their being compared with 
each individual's experience, with the returns obtained in favour- 
able seasons and in the reverse, and with those of small or large 
growers. They can be also applied to mixed plantations. 
Black Currants at 4 feet apart, or 2,722 bushes per acre, will 
yield for the first three years from planting an average of 1 lb. of 
fruit per bush, or about IJ tons per acre. At 2cZ. a lb., or £18 a 
ton, this yields £22 to the acre. After three years the produce 
may be taken at 2 to 4 lbs. a plant, or 2J to 5 tons per acre, 
equalling £45 and £90 respectively. It is a valuable and regular 
crop, but in some seasons the bulk may have to be sold as low 
as Id. per lb. The returns at other distances can be readily 
estimated from the above statement. 
Eed Currants at 3 feet apart, or 4,840 to the acre, will yield 
for the first three years an average of 1 lb. of fruit each, repre- 
senting 2 tons per acre. At Id, a lb., or £9 a ton, this gives a 
return of £18 an acre. After three years the yield will be at 
the average rate of 2 lbs. a plant, or about 4 tons to the acre, 
representing £86 in cash return. Large crops will be produced 
occasionally, and better prices obtained. 
Gooseberries at 3 feet apart, or 4,840 to the acre, will yield 
for the first three years an average of 1 quart, or nearly 1^ lb. 
per bush, making 3 tons to an acre, and this at Id. per lb., or 
£9 per ton, produces £27 an acre. After three years the returns 
may be more than doubled. Established, well-grown bushes 
yield 3 to 4 quarts each, or even more than this. 
Easpberries planted 2 feet apart, in rows 4 feet asunder, or 
about 5,450 to the acre, will, when established, yield 1 lb. per 
stool, equal to about 2 J tons an acre. At the low average of 2d. a 
lb. for 2 tons, and 4:d. a lb. for the \ ton of selected fruits, this 
will bring £54 an acre. In the first season after planting no 
appreciable returns will be obtained, and in the second season 
