He has a corn and stock farm, and has only gradually cultivated
these Fruits, which occupy some eleven acres.
PRICE OF THE LAND.
The prices of the land for sale are 75, and 100, and 150 dollars per
acre, according to position. Two-thirds of the purchase-money may remain
on mortgage as long as the interest is paid at 8 per cent, per annum,
which is the lowest interest payable in California. The mortgagor is
liable to the Government for the taxes, which amount to 1-1/2 to 2 per
cent, per annum, so that he would really only receive 6 to 6-1/2 per
cent, interest. All mortgages are publicly recorded, and so the
property is vested in the mortgagor till he is paid off, and when that
is done it also is publicly recorded. These taxes embrace all known to
us in England as rates and taxes, except a road tax of 2 dollars a head
per annum, chargeable to every male over twenty-one years of age. This
tax may be paid for in labour on the road if desired. A free conveyance
will be given, but the cost of recording the transaction in the county
office (there is no stamp duty), about 1-1/2 dollars, must be paid by
the purchaser. The recording of a mortgage would probably be 3-1/4
dollars because it is longer. The record is a public acknowledgment of
the title of the owner to the land made in the county books.
Foreigners can hold freehold property in California, but they have no
right to vote - indeed, they would have no right to vote until they had
resided five years in the country, and had become naturalized; then a
resident has before him the possibility of becoming Governor of the
State to which he belongs, or, indeed, Secretary of the Interior, which
corresponds with the position of the Premier in England.
AMERICAN SURVEYS.
According to the American surveys the country is arranged in squares, as
shown on all the maps. A "section" is a square mile, or 640 acres. A
"township" is 36 sections, i.e., six miles on each of its four sides.
A quarter section is 160 acres, and the lands are so arranged that a
roadway is reserved around each quarter section 60 feet wide, and the
land for such roadway is taken from each side, so that each owner has to
contribute 30 feet to such road, and, of course, he has the benefit of
the frontage to it. A 20 acre lot would be an eighth of a quarter
section. On some of the lots for sale at "British Colony," are one or
two houses and some buildings. These may be purchased thus: One house
and buildings, 1,000 dollars; another house and buildings, 1,000
dollars; another house and buildings (N.E.), 600 dollars; but if one
purchaser bought four lots of 20 acres, each adjoining so that one house
and buildings should come near the centre, then such house and buildings
would be given in.
SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE OF FRUIT CULTURE.
Few settlers would have the requisite special knowledge of Fruit culture
without some instruction, and, therefore, the owners of the land have
engaged the services of Professor Eisen, at a fixed salary, so that all
settlers on their lands may have the benefit of the Professor's
instruction, free of charge. Professor Eisen is well known as a
specialist in horticulture in California. He has just published a book
on the raisin industry in California, which may be seen at our offices.
The culture of grapes for raisins, and plums for prunes, would be
remarkably successful on the lands for sale.
CANNED FRUITS.
Wholesale buyers come round the country to buy the Fruit crops while on
the trees. An enormous trade is done in America in canned Fruits; the
hotels, steamers, railway cars, and private families use them largely at
all meals, and America itself seems to be a sufficient market for ages
to come for all the Fruit and vegetables its State of California can
produce.
ESTIMATES.
How to start with a capital of 20,000 dols.
dols.
80 acres of land, 12,000 dols., half cost 6,000
Trees, such as orange, olive, fruit, etc. 2,000
House and barn 2,500
Horses 400
Cow 50
Poultry 25
Furniture, etc. 600
Waggon, tools, etc. 400
Labour, per year, 3 men, etc., for, 3 years,
including living 4,000
Interest on 6,000 dols. at 8% - 480 dols. per
year, 3 years 1,440
- - -
dols. 17,415
Leaving a balance of 2,585 dols. for first payment of land, or for other
improvements and unforeseen expenses.
Profit the fourth year should be about 4,000 to 5000 dols. at the
lowest.
How to start with a capital of 10,000 dols., i.e., say L2,000.
dols. dols.
40 acres of land .. .. .. .. 6,000
House and barn .. .. .. .. 1,200
Well and pump .. .. .. .. 100
Horses .. .. .. .. 200
Waggon and tools .. .. .. .. 350
Furniture, etc .. .. .. .. 500
Cow .. .. .. .. 50
Trees, etc. .. .. .. .. 1,200
Seed, etc. .. .. .. .. 100
.. .. .. .. - - 9,700
Living one year, etc.; incidentals .. 300
.. .. .. .. - - -
dols. 10,000
PROFITS.
dols. dols.
First year. - Land between the trees,
cultivated in potatoes, vegetables,
etc. .. .. .. .. 500
Poultry, eggs, etc. .. .. .. .. 150
- - 650
(Eggs and poultry pay for groceries. Many families are doing this now.)
dols. dols.
Second year. - The same as above .. 650
Third year. - The same as above .. 650
Yield from Fruit, 10 dols. per acre .. 400
- - 1,050
Fourth year. - The same from poultry, etc. 650
From Fruit trees, 50 dols. per acre .. 2,000
- - 2,650
Fifth year. - The orchard is now in good
bearing, and should pay from 100 to
250 dols.
