_Cost of Production._—Table V shows the average cost of production for bearing orchards of varieties in all districts, based on personal observation and cost records from a large number of orchards mentioned previously. Wherever cost is dependent upon tonnage the average yield of 700 pounds per acre is used as the basis for computation. Depreciation on buildings and trees, time spent by teams in idleness, feed consumed during such times and other minor items are too variable to safely estimate, but must be considered. TABLE V AVERAGE COST OF PRODUCTION OF ALL BEARING ORCHARDS IN CALIFORNIA Per acre Maintenance: Pruning $3.00 Plowing 2.75 Harrowing .75 Cultivation and weed cutting 3.00 Spraying 3.00 Irrigation 2.00 Handling: Harvesting, hulling, etc. 20.00 Warehousing (including bleaching), @ ¼c per lb. 1.75 Miscellaneous expense for maintenance and handling 2.00 $38.25 ------ Overhead charges 38.00 ------ Total cost per acre $76.25 Cost per pound for maintenance and handling $0.055 Cost per pound for overhead charges 0.054 ------ Total cost per pound $0.109 _Returns._—Prices paid to growers have fluctuated considerably, due to the great variation in both the California and European crops from year to year. Table VI shows the average prices per pound paid to the growers for the four principal varieties marketed through the Exchange since its organization. TABLE VI NET PRICES REALIZED BY THE EXCHANGE MEMBERS FOR DIFFERENT VARIETIES FOR THE YEARS 1910 TO 1916, INCLUSIVE, IN CENTS PER POUND Ne Plus Crop Year Nonpareil I.X.L. Ultra Drake tons 1910 14.00 13.00 12.00 10.00 3,500 1911 16.50 15.50 14.50 12.00 1,450 1912 13.25 12.25 11.25 9.50 3,000 1913 17.25 16.25 15.25 13.25 1,100 1914 18.00 15.00 14.50 11.50 2,250 1915 13.00 12.00 11.00 9.25 3,500 1916 17.25 14.75 13.75 13.00 3,400 ----- ----- ----- ----- ------- Average 15.61 14.11 13.18 11.22 2,571.4