A :s^-:rv:*r 84 



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tion of the fruits produced is in evidence. This is largely due to the rapid 

 increase in transportation facilities of recent years, and to the general trend to 

 co-operate in every important fruitgrowing section, both in the purchase of sup- 

 plies and in the selling of the product in car lots. Much greater progress along 

 these lines is likely to be made in the next few years than has taken place in the 

 past. 



Transportation companies, both the large trunk companies and those of 

 lesser degree, realize more than ever before, the magnitude of the business offering 

 and in prospect, and its profitable character from a revenue producing standpoint, 

 and are competing with each other for the business. This should result in better 

 facilities, more satisfactory service, and it is hoped, lower charges for the service 

 rendered. 



It has been fully demonstrated that all known insect pests and fungous 

 diseases may be fully controlled, and kept in check by the careful and prompt 

 application of the approved remedies. There is therefore no good excuse for the 

 production of diseased and inferior fruit in these days of enlightenment on this 

 import antiphase of the subject. It will be only a matter of a short time when the 

 fruitgrower who produces and attempts to market any considerable portion of 

 this class of fruit, will be laughed out of court, and will be compelled to engage 

 in some other occupation more suited to his abilities and powers of attainment. 



Very few fruitgrowers maintain an efficient system of accounting and cost 

 in connection with their business. This desirable and necessary department in 

 every successful manufacturing establishment, is ignored by the majority of 

 fruitgrowers, no doubt largely from the prevalent idea that it involves a very 

 complicated set of books, would take a very considerable amount of time to 

 carry out properly, and in the end would not change a result. I believe, however, 

 that some simple system of keeping a fairly accurate account of the cost of pro- 

 ducing each individual variety of fruit, and the relation between the cost and price 

 received, a comparison of the profits accruing from crops produced under the 

 very highest and most intensive culture, with those produced in the ordinary 

 slipshod way on one's own farm, would work a greater revolution in methods and 

 practices in a few short years, than an army of lecturers and speakers could 

 possibly hope to accomplish. This feature of farm practice is worthy of careful 

 consideration and if worked out in a simple, practical manner, would be pro- 

 ductive of astonishing results. 



The future of the fruit industry of Canada was never brighter than it is 

 to-day, the prospects before those engaged in it were never more attractive, the 

 field for extensive aggressive effort in all the fruitgrowing provinces was never 

 more inviting. Markets are opening up which will tax the best effort, not only 

 of those already engaged in production, but of thousands more who will be wel- 

 comed to the ranks of a class of people who in this country are recognized as a 

 very important factor in the evolution of Canada's future greatness. 



In closing this comparatively brief and incomplete review of the conditions 

 surrounding an industry in which I have been actively engaged for more than 

 thirty years, I desire to say that any errors, omissions or imperfect conclusions, 

 have been mistakes of the head, and not of the heart, and I again express the hope 

 that I may succeed in inducing at least a few of those who are not succeeding 

 as well as they might, to occupy advanced ground in the New Horticulture in 

 connection with the fruit industry of Canada, as well as in presenting to those 

 who may contemplate entering upon fruitgrowing as a life work, a fair resum6 

 of the conditions under which such an enterprise may be successfully^under- 

 taken. 



THE AUTHOR. 



