486 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



Fruit Growers and the Tariff 



(Cuiicluded fioin page 466.) 



Mr. Bunting claimed that the tariff that has 

 been in operation since 1897 has been satisfac- 

 tory to growers and not a burden to the con- 

 sumers. The fruit industry has increased 

 since 1897 until now there are 350,000 acres in 

 orchard and garden in Ontario. The annual 

 production of apples is about 11,000,000 barrels. 

 In that time the prices have decreased to the 

 consumer although the introduction of such 

 pests as the San Jose Scale as well as the 

 higher wages paid the laborers have increased 

 the cost of production. The improvements in 

 packing and efforts made to develop trade in 

 the Canadian northwest were referred to. If 

 the tariff is reduced the United Statesers would 

 flood our market when they had a surplus and 

 fruit growing in Canada would be rendered un- 

 stable. 



A specific duty was requested in place of ad 

 valorem because it is more definite, and does 

 not leave a chance to send goods in at a low 

 nominal price. The duty on plums is 2.5 per 

 cent and on pears 20 per cent. A change to 

 one and a half cents a pound and 25 cents a 

 bushel, respectively, would make the rate prac- 

 tically the same as is imposed on our products 

 going across the line. 



In reply to a question from Hon. Mr. Patter- 

 son regarding the local dealers claiming that a 

 reduction in the tariff would not hurt the grow- 

 ers. Mr. Bunting explained that the growers 

 looked for a fair margin of profit on part of the 

 crop, and on account of its being perishable it 

 could not be held over. It was necessary, 

 therefore, that the growers obtain the prices 

 that prevail before the market is glutted by 

 the southern crop. 



The extent of the fruit industry was referred 

 to by Mr. A. W. Peart, of Burlington. The 

 total value of orchard and garden lands in On- 

 tario was placed at $40,000,000. The increase 

 in production, and the consequent decrease in 

 profit during the past few years was materially 

 increased by the cost of labor which had ad- 

 vanced owing to protection to the manufactur- 

 ers enabling them to pay high wages. The 

 fact that canning factories and box. barrel, and 

 basket factories depended on the fruit indus- 

 try was also alluded to. 



The high price of sugar was taken up by Mr. 

 Robt. Thompson, of St. Catharines. The fol- 

 lowing resolution was read: "That this asso- 

 ciation believes it to be desirable, and in the 

 interests of the fruit industry and the general 

 public, that a reduction should be made in the 

 tariff on refined sugar." The need for an out- 

 let for our surplus crops, and the necessity of 

 cheap sugar to assist the canners to compete 

 on foreign markets was emphasized. Last 

 year jams and jellies to the value of nearly 

 $1,000,000 were imported and these w-ere made 

 from fruit sent from Canada and manufactured 

 where sugar was cheap. 



Mr. D. Johnson, of Forest, declared that the 

 fruit growers should be encouraged in every 

 way possible. If Canadian canners could se- 

 cure sugar and glass at the low price that a 



reduced tariff on theie articles would easure. 

 our increased trade in canned goods with our 

 Canadian northwest and with foreign countries 

 would benefit the growers as well as the con- 

 sumers. A large percentage of our apples is 

 allowed to go to waste each year that would 

 be canned if conditions were more favorable. 



During the hearing the commissioners 

 showed their interest in the fruit growers' re- 

 quests by asking questions bearing on the 

 points brought up by the different members of 

 the committee. The case for the fruit grow- 

 ers was presented by the committee in a most 

 able manner. 



Fruit Convention Notes 



The Ontario Fruit Growers' Association ap- 

 pointed Messrs. H. Jones, E. Lick. W. H. Bunt- 

 ing. R. Thompson, Murray Pettit, A. W. Peart, 

 J. L. Hilborn, D. Johnson and A. E. Sherring- 

 ton to represent the fruit growers at the Do- 

 minion Conference that is to be held in Ottawa 

 in February. 



An illuminated address was presented to Mr. 

 W. H. Bunting by the association, showing the 

 hearty appreciation of the growers for the busi- 

 nesslike manner in which he has labored in the 

 interests of the fruit industry. 



A resolution was passed fittingly recognizing 

 the good service rendered by Mr. Alex. Mc- 

 Neill, as president of the association and as 

 chief of the fruit division at Ottawa. 



The able manner in which Canada and her 

 fruit interests were represented at the St. 

 Louis Exposition was referred to in a resolu- 

 tion congratulating Mr. T. H. Race on his good 

 work. 



A welcome visitor at the fruit growers' meet- 

 ings was Mr. L. B. Rice, of Port Htiron. Michi- 

 gan, who represented the Michigan Horticul- 

 tural Society. On behalf of that society he 

 wished Ontario's efforts every success and ex- 

 tended a cordial invitation to the Ontario Fruit 

 Growers' Association to be represented at their 

 convention in Grand Rapids, December 5 to 7. 



The benefits to be derived from educational 

 work through the Farmers' Institutes and edu- 

 cational features at the fairs and exhibitions 

 were recognized by the growers, and a resolu- 

 tion was passed asking Mr. G. A. Putnam, 

 superintendent of the institutes, and Mr. H. B. 

 Cowan, superintendent of agricultural socie- 

 ties, to extend this work. 



A resolution was passed by the fruit grow- 

 ers instrticting the delegates to the Dominion 

 Conference to urge the federal parliament to 

 place express rates within the control of the 

 Railway Commission. The express rates, at 

 present, are exorbitant. 



The executive of the Fruit Growers' Associa- 

 tion were instructed to wait on the proper rail- 

 way official to try to secure the privilege now 

 accorded agricultural societies, of free return 

 tickets from their annual convention without 

 regard to the number in attendance. 



Please accept congratulations on the grand 

 publication you issue under the title of The 

 Canadian Horticulturist. — (Harry H. Davey, 

 The Fruit World, Melbourne, Australia. 



