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CAA'ADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



OUR FRUIT MARKETS. 



Canadian Fruit Markets. 



The writer has had consignments of fruit 

 wholesaled in Toronto, all through the months 

 of June and July ; the sales averaging higher 

 than for some years past. Some of us were 

 very much discouraged at the prospects when 

 import duties on fruits were removed ; but 

 although early fruits from the South have come 

 forward in great abundance, and the New York 

 State growers have come into direct competition 

 with Western Ontario growers, we are holding 

 our own beyond our best expectations. No 

 doubt the extreme drouth in many portions has 

 cut off the usual supply in many parts, which 

 may in part serve to explain the exceptionally 

 good market thus far for small fruits. 



Looking up our shipping book we find that in 

 1885 Canadian Stra wherries opened in Toronto 

 on the 16th of June at 20e.and declined gradually 

 to 5c. on the 2nd of July ; in 1886, they opened 

 on the 8th of June at 17c. and declined to .5c. on 

 the 22nd of the same month ; in 1887, they 

 began at 10c. on the 16th of June and declined 

 to 5c. by the 24th of June. This year we had 

 them wholesaled on the 19th at 17c., the prices 

 remaining very firm, and only for a few days were 

 any sold as low as 7c. In Montreal, Ottawa 

 and Kingston the prices ruled lower than in 

 Toronto, which is unusual. 



Cherries have been a short crop in the Heart 

 and Biggareau varieties, which have conse- 

 quently sold well ; in Toronto the 12qt. basket- 

 ful has wholesaled at from §1.00 to S1.50 ; in 

 Montreal at from §1.50 to §2.00 ; and the Duke 

 and Morello class has sold nearljr as well, 

 although more abundant. Indeed it appears 

 that fruit growers might profitably engage more 

 largely in the production of such pie cherries as 

 the early Richmond, Late Kentish and Mont- 

 moi-ency. 



Currants have also done well this season, 

 especially the Red Cherry which always takes 

 the lead for price. This variety has averaged 

 §1.00 per 12qt basket wholesale. The small 

 varieties as Red Dutch, White Grape, Victoria, 

 Versailles, etc., are much lower in price, averag- 

 ing about 75c, ; still they are more abundant 

 bearers. 



Siuall Gooseberries, as Houghton and Down- 

 ing are a slow sale at from 50 to 60c. per basket, 

 but the large varieties are wanted and are the 

 only ones worthy of our attention in growing 

 for profit. Such vaiieties as Whitesmith, In- 

 dustry, well grown Smith's Inqn-oved, etc., 

 being from §1.00 to §1.25. If we can succeed 

 in destroying the mildew with '■'■ Eau Celeste'" 

 we yet may compare favorably with English 

 gardeners in raising big gooseberries. 



After so many seasons of low prices it is 

 quite encouraging to have a year that opens up 

 so favorably, as so far this fruit season of 1888 

 has done.— Editor. 



much to interest our Canadian friends in the 

 movements of our soft fruit here, but when the 

 apple season commences give us a reminder and 

 you shall have a proper report as to our markets 

 here, and a cable as well when necessarj'. I 

 am glad to hear you remark that the prospects 

 of apples with you are so good, because our 

 . own are an utter failure. There seems therefore 

 every probability of a large business with you 

 in the coming season. You may make a very 

 good thing out of "Kings " if sent when 

 wanted. If we continue in correspondence 

 regularly I shall keep you well posted. I am, 

 Dear Sir, yours very truly. J. B. Thomas. 

 Convent Gauden, London, Eng., 

 3rd July, ISSS. 



Montreal. 



New Apples. — Several cars of new apples have 

 arrived from the South-western States, and have 

 been disposed of in jobbing lots at §5 to §5.50 

 per bbl. A large trade is expected in American 

 apples this year, and as the receipts increase 

 lower prices may of course be looked for, until 

 the early Canadian fruit arrives, when it will 

 be seen whether the American product will be 

 able to compete with the home growth. We 

 notice that Canadian apples are likely to meet 

 with competition from Australia during the 

 coming season, 14,000 boxes of which were 

 received in London. England, about two weeks 

 ago on the P. & O. steamer Oceana. It was 

 found however that a considerable portion of 

 them was frozen whilst en route in the refriger- 

 ators, but this will of course be remedied in 

 future. Former shipments it appears gave 

 great satisfaction. Australian products are 

 bound to become im]3ortant factors in the 

 English market, and in time will no doubt be 

 formidable competitors with Canadian and 

 American goods. — Trade Bulletin. 

 July :29th. 



Prospects for Apple Exportation. 



Sir, — I came in due possession of your favor 

 of the 28th of May, Ijut I don't think there is 



Shipping Canadian Fruit. 



"Well,'' said Mr. A. McD, Allan, president 

 of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association, 

 " what I said the other day has had a good 

 effect anyhow. The steamship companies had 

 tried to make one point in saying that in New 

 York shivjments they had to make tranship- 

 ments. There were no more transliii>iiit-nts via 

 New York than here. The goods went direct 

 to the dock at New York. Notwithstanding 

 what the railway and shipping people have 

 said the facts are dead against them, as they 

 had the actual exijerience of a number of 

 different shippers who had put the thing to the 

 test practically. On one occasi<m he had 

 given notice of one ])articular shipment that it 

 was to be a test case, but found that it made 

 little or no difference. It was unsatisfactory 

 compared with New York. 



" There was some misunderstanding regard- 

 ing what was called cold blast. As he under- 

 stood it, it was atmospheric blast, and the 



