The Marketing of Peaches 



A. F. Stevenson, Niagara Falls South, Ontario 



S WE look over our orchards, the 



questions arise in our mind : 



"What is the most satisfactory 



ay towards the disposal of our 



ops?" and "Can we improve upon our 



ethods followed last season?" A num- 



Er of us will say: "Yes," experience 



aving taught us. 



It is a most unfortunate thing for 



concerned in the fruit growing busi- 



sss that a closer observation is not 



fcade by individual growers respecting 



Se grading and packing of our fruit, par- 



;ularly noticeable in peach shipments. 



far as possible oversee this important 



inch of the business yourself. No 



an will look after your interests in'^he 



Itme way. 



■We should see that the contents of 

 "each package is of uniform size — not 

 fine and attractive fruit on top and mis- 

 erable marbles underneath. Have fruit 

 not too ripe nor too hard. Strike a hap- 

 py medium. This can be done by mak- 

 . ing two or three pickings at intervals 

 of a few days. Have fruit in such layers 

 that it comes even with top of basket 

 so that, when it reaches its destination, 

 instead of being bruised and discolored, 

 it will have as sound and fresh an ap- 

 pearance as the express companies will 

 allow. 



We have three chances to choose from 

 for the disposal of our fruit — the commis- 

 sion men, retail stores and canning fac- 

 tories. It is a good thing that we have 

 these openings for the distribution of 

 our fruit. If we were confined, say, 

 to shipping to commission men, what 

 would the result be? We would be at 

 their mercy more than ever. As it is in 

 many cases, the consumer pays high pri- 

 ces and the producer does not get barely 

 clearing expenses. Certainly his price is 

 not in proportion to what the consumer 

 pays. We would be only too willing to 

 pay more than the regular lo per cent, 

 if we were sure of receiving what our 

 produce actually sold for. 



There is not sufficient rivalry between 

 commission men. There is too much of 

 a "combine spirit." They are grinding 

 the producer on the one hand and the 

 consumer on the other. Is it any won- 

 der that the growers are looking for 

 a more direct channel for the disposi- 

 tion of their fruit? 



The key note to successful marketing 

 is the closer relationship between the 

 producer and the consumer. It would 

 be much better for all concerned and 

 much more profitable for both sides. 

 It insures the buyer a better article at 

 less cost and likewise the producer, if he 



Ontario P«ache> Packed 



N'ote the different styles of packing. Hox at righ 



It is a regrettable fact that transporta- 

 tion companies handle our produce as if 

 it were baggage. How often word comes 

 l)ack: "Fruit arrived in poor condition." 

 W6 are the losers but the companies get 

 their charges just the same. 



for Shipment to the Weit 



t contivinw a 5-5 pack and box in •;entrc, a 4-5 pack. 



is shipping to a reputable retailer, re- 

 ceives a more satisfactory price than if 

 his shipments went through a middle- 

 man. 



A great number of growers are now 

 shipping direct to retail stores in towns 



and villages. Heretofore, Toronto, and 

 Montreal were the chief distributing 

 centres, our fruit going to these cities, 

 then re-shipped broadcast over the land, , 

 this necessitating considerable expense 

 which comes out of both consumer and 

 producer. 



The canning factories give the grow- 

 ers a good opportunity for the disposal 

 of large quantities of fruit. A great 

 many of us, who have not the gambling 

 spirit, think a "bird in the hand worth 

 two in the bush," and, consequently, 

 dispose of our entire orchards in this 

 way, knowing that we have no commis- 

 sion and express charges to be deducted 

 from our bills of sale. Our baskets 

 are returned, and there is no packing or 

 grading which is a great saving of 

 money and time. 



Canadian Grapes 



W. T. Macoon, Ottawa 



There have been a few grapes orig- 

 inated, some of which are sold by nurs- 

 erymen and some are not to be found 

 on any trade list. Those which may 

 be mentioned here are the Brant, Can- 

 ada, Moyer, Kensington, Burnet, Jes- 

 sica and Northern Light. 



Brant and Canada were originated 

 by the late Charles Arnold, Paris, Ont., 

 and are crosses between Clinton and 

 one of the vinifera varieties. Both of 

 these grapes are small, and are acid 

 and sprightly, with a pleasant flavor. 

 Their value lies in their earliness and 

 ability to ripen in the north, even in cool 

 seasons. Moyer, while an unproductive 

 variety, is also valuable for home gar- 

 dens, as it is a sure ripener where most 

 grapes do not mature. 



One of the best grapes of Canadian 

 origin is the Kensington, a white grape, 

 originated by Dr. Wm. Saunders, di- 

 rector of the Dominion Experimental 

 Farms. It is a little too late in ripening 

 to be useful at Ottawa, but farther south 

 it should be very desirable. It was orig- 

 inated by Dr. Wm. Saunders, at Lon- 

 don, Ont., by crossing Clinton female 

 with Buckland's Sweetwater male. The 

 vine is a strong grower, and moderately 

 productive ; bunch, large, long, compact, 

 shouldered; fruit, medium size, oval, 

 pale green, translucent, firm, thin skin, 

 sweet, sprightly, pulp melting, quality, 

 good ; season, late. 



For the benefit of readers of The 

 Canadian Horticulturist in British 

 Columbia, the October issue will be de- 

 voted largely to the fruit interests of 

 that province. Tell your friends about 

 it, and ask them to subscribe this month. 



is.'i 



