30 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



apples and hay seem to be the principal crops. Practically the 

 whole of the uplands of the Annapolis Valley from Digby to 

 Truro is devoted to growing apples, the most interesting part of 

 which is the splendidly organized selling agency. 



About two-thirds of the fruit growers belong to the United 

 Fruit Companies of Nova Scotia, which is made up of about 

 forty-five branches located at different points in the valley. 

 While there are several large independent operators, the union 

 controls about 60 per cent of the output, which is marketed in 

 all parts of the world by agents of the union. Co-operation 

 has brought about a wonderful change in conditions, and es- 

 pecially for the small grower. Costs of packing, shipping and 

 selling have been reduced, and a steady market created for the 

 product. 



While this section has been widely known as a great apple- 

 growing center, and undoubtedly it is, it seemed to your 

 secretary that there are so many drawbacks to successful fruit 

 growing in this district that within a comparatively short time 

 it will not be able to compete successfully with the more 

 favorable location of New England. 



Climatic conditions were such that this year, even where 

 orchards were sprayed seven times, black spot or scab affected 

 over 50 per cent of the fruit, and while this does not happen 

 every year, still it is the great scourge of Nova Scotia. Fruit 

 lands are comparatively high in price, and while the soil seems 

 w^ell adapted to apples, it does not compare favorably with the 

 best New England sections. Shipping conditions are bad, and 

 while materially helped by the selling unions, they are far from 

 satisfactory. 



Undoubtedly the most interesting part of Nova Scotia is the 

 dyked salt marshes. Dykes were first used by the Acadians 

 as early as 1700, and the early success has prompted the 

 erection of others until now nearly 20,000 acres have been 

 reclaimed from the sea. Much of this land has been in constant 

 use for over two hundred years, and is still growing splendid 

 crops of hay, oats and clover. No fertilizers have been used, 

 although lime has been applied in many cases. Crops of hay 

 as high as four tons per acre are recorded, and the usual crop 

 is better than two tons. 



