54 



All the firms whom we interviewed both in Vancouver and Victoria united 

 in stating that the only reason they preferred the fruit from the south was because 

 they could usually rely upon the quality and grade of the pack. Other things 

 being equal, they would give the home-grown fruit the preference every time 

 and believed that just as soon as the British Columbia growers complied with 

 the conditions they would be able to control the market and in a very short time 

 very little fruit would be imported into the province. 



In regard to the high prices prevailing in the West for fruit of all kinds, Mr. 

 Maxwell Smith, Editor of the Fruit Magazine, is of the opinion that this will 

 correct itself as the production increases. At the present time there is a ten- 

 dency to send the best pack to the prairies, and dispose of the indifferent pack 

 in the local market. With the increased planting that has taken place and the 

 better methods that are being adopted, it is only a question of time when this 

 difficulty should be overcome. 



Mr. Smith is opposed to the consigning of fruit to the commission market, 

 and considers that as far as possible it should be disposed of on an f.o.b. basis, 

 a system which is rapidly being adopted by the co-operative societies. 



AUSTRALIAN SHIPMENTS. 



An effort has been made to open up a trade in British Columbia fruit 

 with Australia, and Messrs. Robertson, Morris & Co., as well as Messrs. 

 Stirling and Pitcairn, have already forwarded a number of cars, chiefly 

 Winesap, Jonathan, Canada Baldwin and Canada Red, with very fair results. 

 The apple that is required for this trade is one that is medium sized, but must be 

 well coloured, a 4f tier pack of about 150 to 175 apples to the box being the size 

 most in demand. Given suitable fruit, which seems at present somewhat difficult 

 to obtain, there is an opening to develop' an important trade with Australian 

 ports. 



Up to the present very few Ontario grapes have been sold in Vancouver, 

 and the wholesale trade is of the opinion that if the grapes can be landed in good 

 condition a considerable market would be found for some of the better varieties 

 at profitable prices. 



RIGID INSPECTION. 



A visit was paid to the office of Mr. Thomas Cunningham, who has been 

 employed for a number of years by the Provincial Government as chief inspector 

 of noxious insects and fruit pests of various kinds. He has a large staff in his 

 Department and has been very active in protecting British Columbia from the 

 importation of insects and diseases. His work has been remarkably successful 

 and he believes that he has not only prevented the spread of codling moth, but 

 also eradicated it where it had obtained a slight foothold by means of imported 

 fruit being brought into the province. Fruit or nursery stock that is found to 

 be in any way affected with any of the ordinary pests is not allowed to be dis- 

 tributed in the province. Wherever there is evidence of infestation, the shipment 

 is either destroyed or returned at once to the place whence it came. By the 

 enforcement of these rigid measures the Department hopes to maintain freedom 

 from many pests which have caused serious injury in other fruit centres. 



PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT INTERESTED. 



Leaving Vancouver by steamer, the city of Victoria was reached after a 

 delightful sail and here we were met by Mr. W. E. Scott, Deputy Minister of 

 Agriculture, and Mr. R. M. Winslow, Provincial Horticulturist. These two gen- 

 tlemen are taking a deep interest in the progress and success of fruitgrowing 



