Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-12-13
AMONG THE ORANGE GROVES.
Tropical Fruit in Placer Foothills-Profit
of Young Oranges Trees.
Placer Herald, December nth. !

Placer Herald, December 11th
A representative of the Herald accom-
panied a party last Saturday in q drive
among some of Placers foothill fruit
ranches in general, and those containing
oranges. in particular. The company con-
sisted of Mr.. A. D. Nye, of the Oakland
Enquirer, and wife, Miss Storey, of Napa,
Mrs. George Willment and daughter, of
Auburn, and the Herald scribe and his bet
ter half The fine fruit ranch of w. J.
Wilson 81 Son, on the Auburn road, this
side of Newcastle, was first inspected. On
this place there are about one handred
orange trees, many of which are bearing,
besides a small grove Of young ones set out
apparently last spring. The Messrs. Wilson
have already gathered the heavy portion of
their crop, though some of the trees still
present handsome appearance with their
load of golden fruit The place of C. NJ.
Silva & Son, of Newcastle, on which is
quite grove of bearing orange trees, was
our next visit. Here was seen some mon
strous large oranges of the Navel variety,
and one tree was pointed out to the visitors
on which were growing both oranges
and lemons. Before leaving, Mr.. Silva
treated the company to few chest
nuts from his trees, and to some
grapes fresh from the vines. The hand
some orange groves of DR.. Frey and of
Mrs Rice, loaded with their ripening fruit,
could be seen plainly from Silva's place,
/ though the company did not take the time
to personally inspect them. The ranch of
Perry & Frates was next visited. This place
is located on Dutch ravine, about half a
mile below Newcastle. Here is an orange
grove of about two and a half acres of
seven -year-old trees. A more beautiful
sight than they presented we have never
i.
and finer or larger oranges are not to be
found anywhere. They had been picking
and packing that morning, and were just
loading four-horse team to take them to
the depot They were getting for their
crop, Mr.. Perry said from q to 81 cents
apiece, and he estimated the two acres and
half would yield this year from thirty to
thirty-five thousand oranges. This would
make the income about $500 an acre.
which, allowing $50 an acre for cultivating
irrigating, picking, boxing and marketing
would leave $3.50 an acre net, or 10 per cent
on 50, 500, and the beauty about young
orange grove is that its bearing qualities
improve very materially with each sue
ceeding year. The company was invited
TO go into Perry & Frates grove and help
themselves, and the reader may be sure
they brought away with them some very
fine samples. The place of Peter Norburg,
near Penryn, on which is about an acre, or
just 81 trees, of bearing oranges, has also
been visited recently by representative of
the Herald. These trees are also seven
years old, and many OF them have on their
verdant branches at least 400 oranges As
a whole they are very thrifty and the crop
this year is exceptionally fine. Hundreds
of people, from near and far, Mr.. Norburg
says, have been there to see them, and all
are astonished and delighted. 1t il sight,
an orange grove with its peculiarly rich
green foliage and ripening golden fruit,
calculated to please the gods. Mr.. Norburg
says at the rate his trees have increased in
bearing for the past few years the crop from
his acre, or 90 trees, in FIVE years more will
be sufficient to support his family. This
year he expects TO sell from $3.50 10 800