336 .The Canadian Horticulturist. 



THE APPLE CROP IN ONTARIO. 



The rumor having been spread by apple buyers that there are a large 

 quantity of apples in the country, and that there will be at least 1,200,000 

 barrels for export, we deemed it wise to enquire more fully, in order that our 

 growers may be on their guard and not sell their apples below their true 

 value. The highest reliable estimate indicates about 50% of a full crop for 

 Ontario, but in our opinion 25% is more nearly correct. The United States 

 crop will be about 50%, so that, at the best, there is but a half crop in 

 North America, while the European crop is very short indeed. The proba- 

 bility is, therefore, that first grade apples will, this year, rule much "higher than 

 usual. 



We give extracts from letters from various parts of the province which 

 will interest apple growers : — 



Southern Ontario. 



Mb. W. M. Orr, of Stony Creek, writes : — In my July report of the apple crop I 

 gave you 10 to 15% for fall, and 5 to 10% of a full crop for winter, fruit. I cannot make 

 any better report now. Prospects here not improved, the drought continues, we have had 

 very little rain since middle of June, there will not be a dozen barrels of winter fruit fit 

 for market in some of the orchards in this section. I have not heard of any apple buyers 

 in this section this year. Our apples are usually sold for the English market, but from 

 what I could learn at the Columbian Exposition, from growers and buyers from the 

 Southern and Western States, I believe that before another decade the bulk of our apple 

 crop will be marketed there, as they expressed themselves delighted with the appearance 

 and flavor of our apples. 



Mr. W Pettit, Winona : — It is difficult to arrive at what percentage of a crop there 

 will be in this locality. I think from 15 to 20%. One buyer who had been out for some time 

 said, the crop has been very much over-estimated ; in sections where a fair crop was re- 

 ported he found very few. I have heard of no price for winter fruit yet. 



Mr. a. M. Smith, St. Catharines : — I don't think I have any reason to change my 

 former statement that apples will not be more than 10% of a full crop here, and poor at 

 that. 



Hon. L. C. Chapin, Brantford : — Fall apples in this section 50% of full crop, but 

 dropping continually, premature ripening. Greenings 50, but other winter apples not 

 above 50. Sample will be small and uneven in size. No prices offered as yet. 



Mr. J. K. McMichael, Waterford : — In this district there is about 25% of an average 

 crop of apples. The sample is very second class from the severe attack of fungus. Good 

 varieties of fall and winter apples, hand picked, are worth about thirty cents per "bushel 

 at our canning factories. 



Mr. J. C. Harris, Ingersoll : — Apples are fully 50% of a full crop, and perhaps more, 

 but a poor sample. Not many worms, but greatly injured by fungus. I understand buyers 

 here are not offering over $1.25 per barrel as yet. The majority of winter apples in this 

 secti'in are marketed in England. Thanks to the Horticulturist and Report of Fruit 

 Growers' Association for bringing before its readers the importance of spraying, I have 

 this year, I think, double the apples I ever had before, and nearly every specimen perfect 

 by spraying with Bordeaux and London purple. 



Mr. J. L. HiLLBORN, Arkona :— I have been driving for some time buying apples. I 

 find the crop about as follows : Fall apples, ,30% ; winters, 75%. Quality fair to good, 

 except Spys, which are small, and quite spotted where not sprayed. Where the spraying 

 was at all well done I see much benefit from its use. 



