No. 4.] FRUIT GROWING IN NOVA SCOTIA. 45 



These companies collectively have a membership of about 

 2,500 of the most up-to-date and progressive farmers of the 

 valley. The United Fruit Companies can therefore claim to 

 have control of the best fruit produced in the finest fruit 

 producing district in Canada. 



There are forty-seven warehouses belonging to the companies, 

 having a total frost-proof storage capacity of 750,000 barrels of 

 apples. These warehouses are turning out on an average 

 25,000 barrels of apples a week. Eight steamers and ten 

 schooners beside the regular boats have been chartered by the 

 company. Three of the companies have erected evaporators, 

 where the cull apples are used up, thus reducing waste to a 

 minimum. It is the aim of the United Fruit Company to 

 establish and maintain a uniform high standard of pack, which 

 they guarantee. It is considered that in this way a demand 

 will be created for co-operative packed fruit, which will natu- 

 rally mean higher returns. Already the superiority of this pack 

 has been noticed. Fruit inspectors have reported on it to 

 Ottawa, and Ottawa in turn has congratulated the companies. 

 Disinterested persons in various parts of Canada have com- 

 mented on it in the press. And above all it is reported that the 

 European buyers now look for and demand the co-operative 

 mark. Thus it can fairly be said that the aim of the companies 

 has been accomplished. 



Great importance is attached to this matter of good pack, 

 and to maintain uniformity the chief inspector visits every 

 warehouse constantly; spending a little time at each, inspecting 

 barrels packed, and giving instructions. His reports concerning 

 conditions prevailing at each warehouse are carefully noted and 

 filed. 



New markets are constantly being sought, and in this con- 

 nection much valuable work has been accomplished. Markets 

 on the continent of Europe hitherto supplied through a series 

 of middlemen are now being supplied direct, and trial shipments 

 are being made to other hemispheres where the Nova Scotia 

 apples, the apples with the flavor, have never previously been 

 tasted, but where it is hoped a demand will be created. As the 

 shipping season is only at its early stage, it would be premature 

 to talk about what has been accomplished this year. Suffice it 



