METHODS OF A SUCCESSFUL GROWER 



ALTHOUGH apples are a light crop in 

 most sections of Ontario, orchards 

 can be found in favored locations with 

 somewhat abnormal crops. One of the 

 finest orchards seen this fall by The Horti- 

 culturist is owned by Mr. W. G. Watson, 

 near Dixie. It is situated on a light loam 

 which is moist during the summer if well 

 cultivated, and is protected from the sweep- 

 ing winds by bush. 



The bearing orchard was set out at three 

 different plantings. The oldest trees are 

 26 years old and the youngest 18. About 

 half the trees bear one year and the other 

 half the following season. 



" There is not a tree," remarked Mr. 

 Watson, " that should bear this }ear that 

 has not got a large load. The Alexanders, 

 Snows, Russets and Spys never had a better 

 crop." 



There are 12 acres in bearing, and Mr. 

 Watson placed this year's crop at 1,200 bar- 

 rels, but if the unharvested trees exceed 

 this amount as much in proportion as those 

 already picked the total will be nearer 1,600 

 barrels. For quantity and quality the fruit 

 is hard to beat. Northern Spy trees only 

 18 years old were heavily loaded with large 

 clean specimens, while Russets of the 

 same age had almost more than the 

 branches could support. Buyers had vis- 

 ited the orchard who said it was one of the 

 best they had seen, and several made tempt- 

 ing offers, but Mr. Watson has sold direct 

 to the Toronto retailers since he started 26 

 years ago and preferred to do the same this 

 season. He realizes that there is more 

 work, but does not believe in letting the 

 commission men take a share of the profit. 

 Six trips a week are made to Toronto, and 

 in case of a .special rush two can be made 

 in a day. 



These 26 years in the fruit business have 

 taught Mr. Watson that to make the most 

 out of his crop the fruit must be graded. 

 " There are a few things in connection with 



raising the crop which an orchardist ought 

 to know," remarked Mr. Watson, " but he 

 must also know when and how to market 

 the crop to make the most out of it. I al- 

 ways grade the fruit, selling the lower 

 grades for what they are worth. A bushel 

 of culls in 10, spoils the sale of the whole lot. 

 The retailer will pay only low grade prices 

 if he sees a few small apples in a box." 



The picking is done as soon as the apples 

 pull freely, because if left a few days half 

 of them would be on the ground. Fallen 

 apples are not wanted. The varieties come 

 in one after the other, keeping the pickers 

 busy from the time the earliest harvest ap- 



Picking Fruit in Mr. Watson's Orchard 



pies are ready until the late winter apples 

 are stored. Up to the first week in Octo- 

 ber nearly 600 barrels had been taken to 

 Toronto. 



The picking is done from ladders. Two 

 men start at one tree at the same point and 

 work in opposite directions until they meet. 

 Each picker is supplied with a round bot- 

 tomed basket, holding about a half bushel, 



4'7 



