8 



During the past few years the efforts of the Departments of Agriculture, 

 the Fruitgrowers' Associations and the Co-operative Societies throughout the 

 Dominion have been largely directed towards emphasizing the above-mentioned 

 feature of the industry, and bringing to the attention of the average grower 

 the immense importance of giving special consideration to advanced methods 

 in the production, handling and distribution of his product. These efforts are 

 producing marked results, and a very decided movement is in evidence towards 

 placing in the market a very large percentage of high quality Canadian fruit. 



To any one having a love for Nature and her products there is to-day in 

 many parts of Canada a bright and promising field for a successful career in 

 the delightful and interesting work of sharing in the development of this industry, 

 one which means so much to the comfort and well-being of the community at large. 

 In the pursuance of this career, however, care must be taken to thoroughly 

 investigate the conditions pertaining to any given locality, to ascertain the 

 class and varieties of fruit that have been proven successful and profitable, to 

 select suitable soil, and to become thoroughly acquainted with many features 

 of the problem of producing high class fruit, either by personal experience or 

 from the experience and judgment of others who have spent years of time and 

 effort in acquiring first hand knowledge. Attention to these factors, coupled 

 with energy and a fixed determination to overcome difficulties and obstacles 

 which are likely to be encountered, will, in nearly every case, lead to ultimate 

 satisfaction and success. 



Having regard to the wonderful expansion of Canadian industries, the 

 large number of people who are now looking to Canada as their prospective 

 home, and the evident tendency of the people to use more fruit as a plaily article 

 of diet, it would seem that the present activity towards an increased production 

 of fruits of all kinds is justified, and should be encouraged in every reasonable 

 and legitimate way. 



Should the perusal of the results of the inquiry made during the past few 

 months by the writer be the means of assisting even in a limited way those who 

 may be contemplating this occupation as a life work, and of adding but a little 

 to the already varied and important literature on this subject, the time and 

 effort spent in this investigation will not have been altogether in vain. 



ITINERARY. 



In considering the various sections of Canada which have been shown to 

 be adapted for fruitgrowing, I would call attention to the fact that Mr. A. 

 McNeill, Chief of the Fruit Division, has, as a result of his observation and 

 experience, divided Canada into a series of ten districts, which do not necessarily 

 conform to the provincial boundaries, but which have been worked out more 

 especially in accordance with climatic conditions, and are intended to give a 

 very fair and accurate idea as to the capabilities of these several districts and 

 the varieties of fruit for which they are best adapted. Although it is a number 

 of years since these divisions were outlined, experience has shown that, with 

 some minor changes, they have proved to be remarkably correct and authentic, 

 and have served as a standard for any reliable estimates that have been made 

 from time to time as to the prospects or probable volume of fruit production 

 from year to year in connection with the fruit crop reports, or other literature 

 that has been issued for the guidance of the public. 



In the following pages, however, in describing conditions as observed by 

 the writer, the provincial boundaries will be to a very large extent adhered to, 

 in order that an idea may be obtained of the comparative conditions prevailing 

 in the different provinces. Commencing with New Brunswick the general 

 course of the trip will be followed throughout the various provinces in order. 



