Under the circumstances, our recommendation to each intending planter is that he 

 put in from three to five varieties of apples in blocks of not more than four rows of 

 each kind, so as to permit bees to cross-pollinate them. It has been found, we might 

 add, that cross-pollination very often increases the colour and the size, as well as 

 the quantity of fruit produced. To pollinate successfully, varieties must bloom at 

 the same time. Practically all the fertilization of fruit-blossoms is done by bees, of 

 which every fruit-grower should keep 'a few colonies for the purpose. 



(8.) THE INFLUENCE OF VARIETY CHARACTERISTICS. 



Presuming that we have the most favourable climatic and soil conditions to 

 produce several varieties of fruit to their best individual advantage, we must decide 

 on those varieties which have the greatest number of desirable characteristics. If, 

 for instance, Spitzenberg and Winesap are each suited to certain soil and climatic 

 conditions, we would unhesitatingly choose the Winesap, because it will usually bear 

 three boxes to one of Spitzenberg. If in bearing qualities the varieties are equal, 

 we would choose the one which is an annual bearer, against the variety which bears 

 only every alternate year. In the consideration of the varieties recommended, we 

 have given consideration to the growing habits of the different types of trees, their 

 vitality, their method of growth, their relative costs for pruning, their usefulness 

 as permianent trees or as filler trees for interplanting between the permanents, their 

 bearing habits, whether they bear at an early age, as does Wealthy, or very late in 

 life, as with Northern Spy, or medium, as is the case with Mclntosh. Only a few 

 varieties are recommended here which have the biennial-bearing characteristic, as 

 have Blenheim and Baldwin. 



In respect to the character of the fruit, there is to be considered, besides quantity, 

 its quality, colour, size, uniformity, and freedom from blemishes. Supposing the 

 yield of fruit from two varieties to be equal, we would prefer that which produces 

 the greatest percentage of high-class fruit and the smallest percentage of cull fruit. 

 Practically no varieties are recommended which are not of high quality, of good 

 colour, desirable size, producing uniform fruit, though there are considerable varia- 

 tions which must be taken into account in choosing the varieties for any particular 

 section. 



All of the factors above discussed in reference to the choice of varieties have to 

 do with the cost of production. Our aim is to choose that group of varieties of 

 which the unit cost of production per box will be the lowest. It is of no value to 

 produce magnificent fruit if the cost of production is to be greater than the selling 

 price. We know of no varieties which are likely to be more remunerative than the 

 ones which have been chosen and published in this list. 



Turning to the question of the relation of variety to the selling price, we have 

 found it necessary to consider a number of factors which materially influence the 

 choice, and which are discussed fully. 



(9.) PROSPECTIVE PRODUCTION. 



The people of our fruit districts are only beginning to realize that, important 

 as it is for any grower to limit his list of varieties, it is equally important to each 

 grower, and to all of them as a whole, that the number of varieties planted in the 

 entire district be also reasonably limited. One of the greatest handicaps our young 

 districts have is a production of such wide range of varieties as to disgust the 

 buyer and discourage the market. In such cases there must be a general campaign 

 conducted by the broad-minded men of the locality, to induce the owners of 

 miscellaneous varieties either to pull out the trees or top-work them to the most 

 desirable kinds. 



The orchard survey of the fruit sections of the Province, made in 1911 and 

 1912 by the Department of Agriculture, has shown in a striking manner the great 

 disadvantages under which some districts at present suffer, and will continue to 

 suffer, from such miscellaneous selection. (See the Twenty-second Annual Report 

 of the British Columbia Fruit-growers' Association.) This will be discussed under 

 the heading of each district. 



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