But ordinarily, this is too little, as the planting of the land cannot be proceeded with at once, and work must be procured among the neighbours, etc.
The estimates, were furnished us by Professor Eisen, who remarked that, probably, in giving estimates all persons would vary somewhat, but these, and other estimates which he gave, are really more than estimates, because they are the actual results of past experiences.
PROFESSOR EISEN'S OPINION.
Received January 20th, 1891.
Professor Eisen writes:—"I am of opinion that these lands (British Colony, Merced) are amongst the very best in the State for raisins; still, as I explained to you, I do not advise any one to put his whole interest in the raisin industry, as the market for this Fruit is limited. For other dried fruit, especially for prunes (French plums), apricots, peaches, and nectarines, the market is practically unlimited, and as our population increases yearly 1,500,000 people, it will be seen that our markets must extend as well, even after we have driven all foreign Fruits out of our home markets. As regards the adaptability of the land of British Colony for various Fruits, I can say that they are especially adapted to the prune (French plums) and peaches for drying and canning, olives for olive oil and pickling; also for oranges. You can see how the orange thrives in the city of Merced and surroundings, or in localities exactly like those of British Colony lands, and there can be no doubt that oranges and lemons will prove very profitable in British Colony. Olives will especially do well there. The British Colony lands I consider as exceptionally rich and fertile, and there are few, if any, equal to them in this State or anywhere else."
PRICE OF FRUIT TREES.
The prices in California of young Fruit trees for planting, for the season 1890-91, are given as follows:—
| dols. | ||
| Prunes (like French plums) | 25 to 30 | per 100 |
| Plums and other prunes | 15 | " |
| Apricots | 20 | " |
| Peaches, from | 15 to 17.50 | " |
| Olives (layers) | 20 | " |
| Olives, grafted | 40 to 60 | " |
| Pears | 18 | " |
| Oranges, best kinds | 70 to 100 | " |
| Shade trees | 50 | " |
| Grape-vines (raisins) | 12 | " |
| Persimmons | 15 | " |
| Walnuts, from | 15 to 35 | " |