96 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



April, 1910 



enclature — it is a sad comment on the times 

 and our boasted system to have to ask the 

 question: 'What is a crab apple?' 



"The answer of the interested majority 

 would probably bo that it is an apple in a 

 class by itself, minus its distinctive charac- 

 teristic undefined by an acknowledged au- 

 thority. Others may define it as a species 

 without an authorized formula to distin- 

 guish its identity at present. 



"Personally, I consider that the crab apple 

 merits a better fate than that of being as- 

 similated out of recognition by the invasions 

 of different species. Surely its unique char- 

 acter as a preserving and ornamental fruit 

 and also its fame as the parent of illustrious 

 progeny, should entitle it to a place worthy 

 of protection from the fate of obsolescence. 



"Then, if such a condition exists it ought 

 to be a sufficient incentive for anyone to ask 

 for an investigation by a competent person 

 in the college, who will give to patrons and 

 the public the component characteristics, 

 properly formulated, of the crab apple." 



Canadian Apple Show 



Editor, The Can.\dian Horticulturist : 

 I noticed in the editorial columns of your 

 February issue some remarks regarding the 

 holding of an anntial apple show in Canada 

 along lines similar to the one held in Spo- 

 kane, Wash., that has been attracting so 

 much attention, apd undoubtedly been pro- 

 ductive of much good. The addresses and 

 discussions in connection with the Spokane 

 Show have infused new blood in the apple 

 growers of the west and have helped very 

 much to produce that exceptionally fine 

 fruit, and the up-to-date methods prac- 

 tised in cultivation, pruning, thinning, 

 packing and marketing. 



During the past apple harvesting season, 

 I was privileged to spend some time in the 



principal apjile sections of British Columbia 

 and everywhere would you hear reference 

 made as to the valuable les.sons and the 

 information learned at Spokane. Prepara- 

 tions were then being made to attend the 

 1909 show as well as have their products on 

 exhibition, where subsequently, British Col- 

 umbia again captured a share of the prizes. 



The object lessons there learned together 

 with the talks by practical men along all 

 lines, from the growing of the trees in the 

 nursery to the marketing of th"ir products, 

 are looked upon as of inestimable value. Tt 

 has done much good towards educating Brit- 

 ish Columbia apple growers, and placing 

 them in manv respects in advance of us 

 con.servative Ontario apple growers. While 

 some of the methods there practised, on ac- 

 count of the different climatic conditions, 

 would not be practicable here, there are 

 however, many lessons we could learn from 

 them to our advantage. The western fruit, 

 being so much superior in general appear- 

 ance, uniformity, shipping and keeping 

 qualities, with the careful grading and 

 packing, accounts for the good prices they 

 are able to secure. 



In view of these facts, it would be useless 

 for us at present to attempt to compete 

 with them at an apple show. Our apples 

 and some of our other fruits are superior 

 in flavor to western grown fruit, but in 

 appearance and keeping qualities the west 

 has the advantage. The all important mat- 

 ter that confronts us is to grow a better 

 class of apples and I am satisfied we can 

 do so if we go about it right. The sooner 

 we get out of the old rut, allowing our 

 trees to overbear and produce a large quan- 

 tity of apples that are valueless for market 

 and really so few that are strictly No. 1, 

 will the apple industry of Ontario take on 

 new life and prove remunerative as it has 

 in the west. We will then again be pro- 



ducing apples, even vastly superior in uni- 

 formity and appearance with the aid of 

 modern methods, to the choice apples that 

 were grown here years ago before the in- 

 sect and other pests were in our midst. 

 Then, too, being free of fungi, they will 

 possess much better keeping qualities. 



What we need is an annual Ontario apple 

 show and convention. There is no province 

 in Canada capable of such va.^t expansion of 

 this industry, adapted for growing good 

 flavored apples and capable of producing a 

 variety in the various localities from the 

 early to the late or winter varieties. There- 

 fore, we should consider the advisability of 

 holdiniT such a show and convention to de- 

 velop this industry. By the object lessons and 

 instructions imparted, such a show would 

 be the means of arousing an increased inter- 

 est and leading the way to develop this 

 important, but much neglected industry. 



Canada has the ideal climate to produce 

 the best apples and wheat in the world. Let 

 us see to it that we put on the market the 

 best products it is possible for us to pro- 

 duce. We should never rest content to leave 

 good enoupli alone, '-"t press forward for 

 something better. — W. B. Rittenhouse, 

 Beamsville. Ont. 



[Note. — That better provincial shows are 

 needed before we undertake to hold a na- 

 tional apple show is evident. Mr. Ritten- 

 house's suggestion that an annual apple 

 show and convention be held in Ontario is 

 already an established fact i" th" Ontario 

 Horticultural Exhibition and the annu.^l 

 meetings of the Ontario Fruit Growers' As- 

 sociation. It is planned to develop this 

 show along similar, but more restricted, 

 lines to that of the Spokane show. If fruit 

 growers of Ortirio give it their best sup- 

 port, it will become the extensive and in- 

 fluential show that Mr. Rittenhouse sug- 

 gests. — Editor] . 



Plant Northern Grown Stock 



It is hardy, mature, and will grow where other kinds fail. It is 



the kind you should plant in your orchard and garden this 



spring to secure the best results. 



View of Hydrangeas in our Nursery at Pointe Claire 



HARDINESS AND QUALITY 



are prominent characteristics of our stock. Our trees and 

 plants are well grown. Note the width between the rows in the 

 illustration and the bushy well-developed plants. Our aim 

 constantly is to grow nursery stock of the best quality. A trial 

 order will convince you that our stock is the best that grows. 



THE CANADIAN NURSERY CO., Ltd. 



Narieries: Pointe Claire, Que. 10 Phillips Place, Montreal, Que. 



A FEW RELIABLE SALESMEN WANTED 



GRASSELLI 



ARSENATE OF LEAD 



fl It is an arsenical poison. 

 ^ This is what it is for : 



^ To destroy leaf eating and chewing insects, such as the 

 Codling Moth, Canker Worm and Curculio. 



^ Here is why it is better than White Arsenic or Paris 

 Green : 



1st. It sticks, ready to destroy the insects when 

 they commence to feed. 



It also shows, so you may know whether or 

 not your foliage and fruit is all covered. 

 2nd. It w^ill not burn the foliage, even though used 

 stronger than directions. (Have you ever 

 figured the cost to you if an arsenical burned 

 the foliage ?) 



Wby Yoa Should Use Grasselli Arsenate of Lead : 



1st. Because it is a poison made by chemists whose business 

 it has been to make high grade chemicals over 70 years. 



2nd. It has been used in the Niagara secion the past tw^o 

 seasors w^ith best results. — Therefore, it is not an un- 

 tried brand about which you know practically nothing. 



3rd. The price is right. We charge a reasonable price for 

 the Best. 



WILL YOU SEND YOUR ORDERS EARLY TO 



m SL CATHARINES COLD STORAGE & FORWARDING CO. 



(HOBT. THOMPSON, President) 



ST. CATHARINES, ONT. 



OR SEND ENQUIRIES TO US 



THE GRASSELLI CHEMICAL COMPANY 



CLEVELAND, OHIO 



