i88i.] FRUIT -CULTURE. 201 



FRUIT- CULTURE. 



THE APrLE. 



The Apple is undoubtedly the most useful of fruits, hardy or other- 

 wise, and is appreciated by old and young, rich and poor, alike. Not 

 very many years ago our supplies were home-grown ; but, like beef 

 and bread, we are now indebted, to a great extent, to America for a 

 very large quantity of the finest Apples. It is alleged that there 

 are sufficient Apples to spare in the United States and Canada to 

 fully supply this country, and of better quality than we are able to 

 produce even in our best fruit-growing districts. And yet we feel 

 confident that, on suitable soils, and in favourable localities, Apple- 

 growing will be a paying occupation for a long while to come. Unless 

 prices are to be remunerative, growers in America will not care about 

 supplying us ; and we may take some comfort from the fact that if 

 land is cheaper there, labour is cheaper here. Of course they have the 

 advantage in the matter of climate ; but this only applies to the grow- 

 ing of fine kinds — for there are many square miles, altogether, in this 

 country where Apples may be grown, with ss certain a chance of a crop 

 as in America, if quantities of trustworthy kinds are grown. This 

 means, that if we will retreat at those parts of the line where we are 

 beaten, and concentrate our forces where we are able to hold our own, 

 the day, so far, may yet be ours. It is of no use our trying to com- 

 pete with the Americans in the production of the finest dessert Apples, 

 for there our climate fails us. We may grow fine Apples as heretofore, 

 but we must admit the fact at once that we can never do so remunera- 

 tively — at least, with our present varieties — for our fine kinds are not 

 to be depended on for a crop ; and unless we are to have kinds which 

 are certain croppers, we may as well give in at once. Kitchen Apples 

 will always be needed, and in increasing quantities too ; for people of 

 all grades are awaking to the fact that fruits are necessaries of life, and 

 not merely luxuries,- as they have been hitherto regarded. 



"With such facts as these before our eyes, we do not think we would 

 do right if we advised the amateur grower, who may know nothing at 

 all of the subject, to buy and plant fine sorts in a small garden. We 

 have seen this done, and seen the bitter disappointment when, after 

 years of spending and hoping, the result was bare trees year after 

 year. 



This is addressed to those who plant that they may reap ; who prefer 

 crops with something like regularity — even although the quality is not 

 the very best — rather than a few very fine fruits now and again at 

 intervals of years. Possibly others may go in for quality and risk the 

 chance of a crop. We will endeavour to meet the requirements of all 

 parties, but we add again — it is cheaper to buy the finest Apples j while, 

 under certain conditions, it is cheaper to produce ordinary kinds than 

 to buy them. 



