COST OF LABOUR 53 



consignment of peaches was shipped from Ontario to 

 a London fruiterer, which, according to a cablegram, 

 arrived in excellent condition. This was regarded as 

 a first step to supplying the London markets with 

 this choice fruit. 



In Prince Edward County the tomato in particular 

 is cultivated. It grows in the open and the yield is 

 good ; 500 bushels to an acre is an average crop. 

 Fruit produce is extensively preserved in Canada, and 

 widely shipped. Forty-eight million pounds are 

 annually packed in this form. I visited one of these 

 canneries on the shores of Lake Erie. There they pack 

 50,000,000 cans a year. The expense of labour is 

 considerably reduced by using natural gas for their 

 machinery. An engine of eighty-five horse-power 

 can be run at a cost of 5s. ^d. a day. The gas was 

 lit in the town through which we drove ; this seemed 

 singular in the full light of day. The explanation 

 was plausible : it was cheaper to keep the gas burn- 

 ing than pay a man to go round and turn it off. 



That Lilliputian but indefatigable farm labourer, 

 the bee, realizes the ideal conditions of getting 

 and giving. Some farmers keep them for fructifying 

 their blossom, and use the honey as a by-product. 

 As an industry in itself, bee farming is becoming 

 popular, and commands an extensive market. 



With regard to fowl-keeping one might describe 

 poultry, figuratively as well as literally, as running 

 alone. Hens are no expense, as they cater for 



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