The Canadian Horticulturist. 257 



THE FRUIT PROSPECTS. 



As so often happens to the fruit grower, the wonderfully bright prospects 

 of a month ago, have now entirely changed, and an almost utter failure of some 

 fruits now confront him. 



The Apple Crop^ which, a month ago promised a full crop, and, indeed 

 promised better than any season during ten years past, has almost entirely 

 dropped from the trees in many localities. It seems to be a rule that when 

 long continued cold, wet weather is succeeded by a hot drouth, such as we have 

 lately experienced, the fruit is apt to be blasted and drop to the ground. In 

 addition to this, that which holds on is more severely attacked with scab than 

 ever. Possibly the mycelium was growing in the cell walls during the wet 

 weather, and as soon as the excessive heat came, it suddenly burst forth, and 

 ruined the crop, causing both leaves and fruit to drop, as if burned by Paris 

 green. Only those which have been thoroughly sprayed with Bordeaux mixture, 

 and often, have escaped with anything like a crop of fruit. 



Pears seem to have escaped the scab, and show a finer crop than usual, 

 especially the Duchess and the Bartlett. 



Grapes were ruined in many places by the severe frost of May 28th, but in 

 Southern Ontario, where not injured, the prospect is good. 



Plunis^ where not well sprayed with Paris green or shaken for the curculio, 

 are very badly stung, and the crop much injured. 



Peaches are a fairly good crop on young, healthy trees, but old trees are 

 much blighted, owing to the severe change above alluded to, and the crop 

 almost ruined. 



Cherries have largely dropped from the trees owing to the same cause. 



Ciirrafits^ gooseberries, raspberries, and blackberries seem to be unusually 

 loaded with fruit. 



Taking it all in all, the immense crop which the early bloom led us to 

 expect, will not be realized, but only a very moderate crop indeed. The result 

 will favor those who have even a small crop, for prices will be certain to be 

 remunerative under the circumstances. 



We give extracts from some of the letters received. 



Southern Ontario. 



M. BuRRiLL, St. Catharines, Lincoln Co., reports : Siv^eet cJierrie,'*, 60 % of a 

 crop, but a great deal of rot. Sour cherric,><, of the common red I cannot speak, but 

 E. Richmond has a full crop. Currantn, red and black, 8. Peaches, early, 7'> : 

 Crawfords, 7o ; Barnards and Smocks, 80. Plums, Lombard and Imperial Gage, 

 75 ; choice varieties, as Washington, Yellow Egg, etc., light. Pears, Bartletts, 

 60; Duchess, Clapp, etc., 40. Graptu, Looking well and appear to be setting a 

 fairly good crop. Quinces, 80; no sign of rust yet. Of apples I cannot speak very 

 definitely, as I have so few trees, but I fancy the crop will not oe an extraoidinarily heavy 

 one in this district. Raupberrien look well and promise 70. 



