38 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



untold wealth to (Janadian apple growers if it could be grown to perfection as 

 of old, and properly placed in those markets where it would be most appreciated. 



Red Raspberries for Profit. 



All article on page 42ti of the Decembei- Horticulturist taken from the Country 

 Gentleman, calls for somi comment. Evidently the writer has very little experience, as 

 he does not even know the Cuthbert raspberry with any certainty. Evidently he has 

 planted a few hills on a choice spot, as he has, he says, picked four to five quarts from hills 

 contiiniug about that number of canes. Such canes deserve some sympathy. He thinks 

 that three quarts per hill could be reckone 1 upon. An acre would yield 7..>00 quarts, 

 which at 10c. each would mean $750. All this can be done upon paper, and this is wliere* 

 the writer does it. If he, or any one else, attempts to do it on any ordinary soil he will 

 do remarkably well if he reaches one-third of the above amount. " It costs no more to pick 

 them than it does to pick strawberries," says this writer. Any child in any berry region 

 could tell him better than that. '"The care and cultivation occupy much less tinie than 

 strawberries and are consequently much less expensive," according to this fruit boomer. 

 Sometimes people write upon fruit growing who would shine as novelists. A lively 

 imagination is very nice, but it needs a special soil with lots of manure, lots of work, and 

 two or three years of time to get a good crop of red raspberries. It costs more to grow 

 them, more to pick them, and the yield is less than that of strawberries. 



Hitherto raspberries have brought better prices and have paid a? well where soil, etc., 

 were suitable. Just now there is danger of over-production, and reckless writers may 

 increase that difficulty. Red raspberries on rich soils should be planted in rows about 

 6 feet asunder with hills three to four feet asunder. Many soils are not suited to them, 

 and many people are not suited to the business of caring for them. With the right man 

 and the right soil near a good market, they pay as well as most fruits or vegetables — " only 

 that and nothing more " 



E. MoRDEN, Niagara Fallfi South, Ont. 



Fruit Growing in Muslcoka. 



Sir, — I have just had the pleasure of attending the Fruit Growers' Convention in 

 Orillia, and, as I have been a member of the Society for some years, I had often wished to 

 attend a Convention. 



My attention was drawn to what appeared to be a wrong impression among the mem- 

 bers with regard to fruit growing in Muskoka Now we certainly do not grow peaches ; 

 but our strawberries, currants, grapes and apples would compare favorably with any grown 

 farther south. 



We can say from experience that strawberries are as successful and profitable in Mus- 

 koka as anywhere in Canada. The last two years, our first picking sold on June 22nd, 

 brought 12^ cents a basket, and 8 cents is an average price for the season. In apples, we 

 have Tetofsky, Duchess, Alexander, (5ideon, Wealthy, Mann, Ben Davis, and some others, 

 which have all proved hardy and yielded good crops. Any Crab apples planted have 

 always proved successful, and we have some excellent varieties ; but of late years they are 

 only considered as secondary, as standard apples are quite successful if carefully cultivated. 

 As there is no limestone, we supply the want by applying hardwood ashes, which is 

 abundant. 



Plums and pears have not been cultivated enough to show how they would succeed, 

 yet we have a good variety of wild plum that is cultivated by some and is excellent for 

 preserving. In apples, this spring, we planted Mcintosh Red. Ontario, Pewaukee, Prin- 

 cess Louise, Yellow Transparent and Red Bietigheimer. If these kinds prove hardy, T 

 think we will have a good selection of early summer and late winter apples. One trouble 

 with us is, y,e have to pay high prices for nursery stock and do not always get trees true 

 to name, which often proves disappointing. If any of the Stations would kindly spare us 

 a dozen of trees, each tree of different variety, we would pay every attention to their culti- 

 vstion and report on the same as required. My letter has reference to that portion of 

 Muskoka lying along the east shore of Lake Muskoka. 



If anyone should wish to ask any questions with regard to fruit growing in this sec- 

 tion, we will try to give all the information possible on the subject. 



Jesse Parker, Gravenhurst. 



