Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-10-05
THIS CoUNTY's FRUIT.
Committee Preparing
Facts About IT.
A PAMPHLET FOR DISTRIBUTION.
The State Board of Trade at Work.
Conference with Fruit Grow
ers-S0me of the Facts.

AT the request of the State Board of
Trade special report on the matter of
the fruit interests of this county is in
course OF preparation. 1t will be printed
with similar reports from other sections
OF the State in pamphlet form to be dis
tributed throughout the East this coming
winter from the cars Of the'' California on
Wheels" It is proposed to use only
thoroughly reliable and conservative
statements from practical fruit-growers.
The pamphlet will not be allowed to
subserve "boom" purposes.
The work Of preparing the portion Of
the pamphlet applying to this section,
has been placed in the hands of the
Committee on Lands and Irrigation of
the Chamber of Commerce. These gem
tlemen have been interviewing practical
fruit. growers and compiling statistics.
At a meeting held yesterday afternoon,
Q number OF statements were taken down
by the Secretary to be embodied with
such notifications as further investiga-
ton may require in the report.
1t was stated that the number of acres
now in orchard culture in this county
was 40, 900, an increase of about 10 900
over last year. About one-fourth of this
is in citrus fruits, the rest in deciduous.
The following was accepted as very
conservative estimate of the cost per
acre of starting an orchard of deciduous
fruits.
Fruit trees, SIS planting, IS; plowing,
$40; replanting to take place of trees
dying, IS. Total, &35.
On citrus fruit per acre the following
estimate was offered: Good budded
trees, $75; planting, S.; care, SIS; re-
planting, $40. Total, $105.
1t was stated that these estimates
we're in each case outside the probable
cost, so that they could be accepted
without risk by the intending cultivator.
It was estimated that the average
orchard Of deciduous fruits would begin
to bear at the end of five years. The cost
of maintaining during the unproductive
period would be $40 an acre. The
orchard, if well cared for and if wise
selection had been made at the Begin
ming in the matter of the variety, should
pay 800 an acre gross. There was much
discussion by the committee of the cost
of picking, packing, etc., and Of the
figures obtained for various kinds of fruit
sold on the tree, but no decision was
reached as to proper figure at which to
put average net profits.
On citrus fruit the cost for maintenance
during the four years in which there
would be no returns, would be $15 per
acre. The gross receipts as soon as they
began to bear would be about 500 an
acre, and would increase steadily for ten
years or more. The maximum gross
receipts, under favorable circumstances,
were put at from $500 to $500 per acre.
Olive culture was treated to some dis
cussion, and it was stated that the cost of
production was about the same as that of
citrus fruits, and the receipts between
those from deciduous and citrus fruits.
A number of fruit-growers had ex-
pressed the opinion that the producers of
this section were many of them in error
in their method of selection OF varieties.
As rule, the horticulturists have en-
deavored to raise as large number
of varieties as possible, instead
of concentrating their efforts to
give some particular line a
reputation. A man, for example, will
offer in market fruit which finds ready
purchaser, and more is demanded. 1t is
then ascertained that although he has
perhaps good many acres under culti-
walton, very few are planted to this
variety.
1t was stated that there was need for
a much better distribution of the fruit
which was produced. Not one person in
twenty throughout the country had ever
tasted California fruit. The general
opinion seemed to prevail that the pro-
duction of fruit could never be overdone.
The question of the present freight
rates was treated to some discussion, and
it was decided that they were NOT 80
high that they interfered with the proper
distribution of fruit.
One fact which it was decided should
be incorporated in the report was that it
costs very little to clear and prepare land.
Eastern farmers have q horror of new
land, from their experience in clearing
timber and reducing soil heavily grown
with old sod. In this country there are
no difficulties of this sort to contend
with.
The committee will continue its work
for several weeks.