The record-union., 1893-04-21

NPPA4S2 OHlJ W prune orchard, YET IN q
general way the same figures would
be applicable to any other kind of fruit
except IN the matter of pruning. in which,
alter the second year, the cost of pruning
win peaches and apricots would be con-
slderaDly III excess, in fact, fully double
Tue cost OF the same operation with French
prunes. You will of course understand
that IN the matter of pruning with peaches
ana aprlcots the cost would increase each
year until the trees had reached the age of
SIX or seven years. In the case OF French
prunes, however, we do little or no prun-
ing after they are four years old, except
10 cut out dead wood or interfering limbs,
ana therefore that element of cost would
be largely obliterated in considering the
future expense OF caring for prune or
chard. The same rule as to pruning
would also apply to almonds.
Ii there is any further information that
can give you on these points, l shall be
glad at any time to do so. Very truly
yours, JOHN BIDwELL.
c. w. REED,
OF Sacramento, one of the pioneers in
fruit raising in the State, and a man of
broad judgment, writes, under date of
April Sth, as follows:
Your favor of the 9th inst is duly re-
celved. 1t is very difficult to give you
correct Information in regard to the cost
of planting and growing an orchard or
vineyard, so much depends on the char
acter OF the land and the intelligence with
which the labor is managed. l think
there is one-half difference in the ex-
pense that is incurred with different
men, In planting and growing an orchard
OF vineyard INTO bearing, and almost that
difference in results obtained, partly by
not knowing what trees are suitable to
the soil they are grown in, and largely by
not knowing how to grow or prune the
trees and vines to get the best results,
Now, l will assume that in planting a
vineyard, you have tirsI-class land, ready
Tor the pillow, and are planting at least
100 acres. 1t will cost as follows:
Per Acre
Rooted vines, I0xI0, $50, at SIS "
narrowing and marking before plant
Plating Will nioyS ''''''''''''''- 90
Cultivation first year. ............. 90
Cultivation and pruning second year. 90
Cultivation and pruning third year .... 10 90
%
with a reasonable chance for a crop
worth $50 per acre, if they are Tokay
grapes, well colored, or, if wine grapes,
81 to $40 the third year. The fourth wear
a vineyard should yield from two to four
tons, if conditions are favorable. Wine
grapes are worth generally from SD to
SD per ton. Table grapes from S25 to $40
per ton.
l have but little knowledge of the wine
business, and am not competent to give
you any information in regard to profits
of that business. The yield OF juice of
different varieties, and the endless eX-
pense OF handling wine can only be esti-
mated by wine-producers.
In regard to planting an orchard of
mach of tho
vary but little, and only on the cost of
trees and difference in the time they
come into bearing. For an orchard of
100 acres it will cost as follows:
Per Acre.
Flowing, narrowing and marking -. SO SO
Planting with plows ........... ..... so
Price or value OF trees ................ 5 90
Cultivating and pruning, first year.. 90
CultlVatlng and pruning. second year. = 90
Cult1vating and pruning, third year.. 10 90
Cultivating and pruning, fourth year. IL 90
TOtal-........... ............. sos 90
Pears and prunes should, with favor
able conditions, produce enough to paw
expenses the fourth year. Peaches often
produce SlO0 to $3.50 per acre the fourth
year. PruneS and pears will not be in as
good bearing condition before the sixth
year as peaches are the fourth year.
These estimates are based upon my ex-
perience, and apply to tirst-class land
ness, and l only approximate as near as
possible the expenses, with margin that
l think will cover everything in the ag-
gregate. Yours truly, c. W. REED.
a. T. HATCH
OF Suisun, the largest and most enter
prising fruit grower in the State writes:
Yours of the 9th received. In answer
will say as to vineyard l can give you
no information, my knowledge of plant
ing and growing vines is very limited,
indeed, as l have not been in that bust
ness at all: In regard to the expenses of
an orchard I will give you the answers
to your questions as best L can.
do not have the ground prepared be-
fore planting except by laying it off. that
is-staking it and then either plant the
trees by digging holes or by making fur
roughs with large listing plow-deep-
ening with sub-sol plDw following it.
then plant the trees, after which we do
our blowing.
The expense for deciduous trees and
labor for planting and stalking out we
estimate from our experience at about
S25 per acre, although at times have paid
as high as $50, including all culuivating
necessary the first year. The second
year there is an average of about per
cent. retilling where trees have died.
pruning and cultivating, which we
estimate at about $40 peracre although
sometimes we pay as high as SIS per
acre. The third year the loss of trees is
less generally, and cultivating the same.
the pruning more, so we estimate that
from Sl2 80 to Is per acre for the year.
The expenes of the fourth year are about
the same as for the third, say SIS per acre.
The fourth year the peaches, apricots.
nectarines and almonds, when planted on
soil and in a climate adapted to them. we
expect to pay, say an average of $50 per
acre gross, while plums and prunes are
not expected to yield profitable crops nm
til the fifth year, cherries and pears the
seventh year. All of this relates to a
mixed orchard of deciduous fruits. Ex-
penses, whether mixed or otherwise,
would be about the same. In this esti-
mate we figure on an average of Sl50 per
!, 600 for No. trees. The whole of this
can be reduced, if done on large scale.
from 10 to 20 per cent.
AS to estimates of profits, would rea-
sonably expect, as before specified, $50
per acre gross on peaches, apricots, nee
tarines and almonds the fourth wear. the
fifth year $40, and from that on a net
average of SIS to 500 as minimum.
Plums for shipment and prunes for dry
ing, the fifth year, about $50 gross, the
sixth year, SO net, with a good per cent.
OF increase thereafter up TO $50 per acre
net. For cherries, would say the seventh
year about $50 per acre gross; eighth year.
500 net, increasing for several years at
good per cent, say from 10 to 20 per cent. |
for several years. Pears, similar to
cherries.
l have made the estimate of expenses
as high as any man need to be put to to
have his work done in first-class man
ner; the results l have put as low as any,
one needs to expect.
Hoping l have been sufficiently definite, |
l am, very respectfully, a. 7. HATCH.
FRANK II. BUCK,
Of Vacaville, probably the most practical
and thorough men in the business, writes