The Canadian Horticulturist. 9 



LAST SEASON'S FRUIT CROP. 



IN scarcely any section of the province can it be said that the apple crop has 

 been an abundant one. The trees blossomed with great promise in the spring, 

 but a blight, apparently caused by the cold, wet weather, sadly diminished the 

 chances for a heavy crop of fruit. In the extreme south-west the leaves of apple 

 and pear trees assumed a rusty reddish color, and the newly-formed fruit dropped 

 in considerable quantities ; and in many other localities the fruit dropped while 

 yet immature. In the counties of Essex, Kent, Elgin, Lambton and Middlesex 

 the apple crop was nearly an entire failure, and of other fruits there has been not 

 more than a sufficiency to supply local demands. In most of the West Midland 

 counties there has been a small surplus of winter apples, and there as well as in 

 the Niagara peninsula pears, plums, cherries and grapes and other small fruits 

 have been moderately plentiful, but grapes are the only fruit of which any con- 

 siderable shipments have been made. All variety of peaches were scarce, 

 although occasionally an extra sample has been produced. Apples were a good 

 crop in the counties of Grey, Bruce and Huron, and also moderately good in 

 Simcoe. From the first three ot these counties large quantities have been shipped 

 at good prices. From the township of St. Vincent (Grey) it is stated that fifteen 

 thousand barrels have been shipped. Pears were moderately plentiful also, and 

 have generally turned out better than apples. Throughout the eastern counties 

 there has been a small surplus of apples, and other fruits have been about ade- 

 quate to the demand. Winter apples vary greatly in size, shape and quality. 

 The fall varieties are generally uneven in shape and of scabby appearance, but 

 the supply has been moderate. The general appearance of fruit trees is satisfac- 

 tory, very fair growth having been made, Blackknot on plum and cherry trees 

 appears to be gradually increasing, and in some districts trees have been almost 

 exterminated by it. Every possible precaution ought to be taken to prevent its 

 encroachment on districts at present unaffected. — Bureau of Industries^ Bul- 

 letin 35. 



THE MEETING OF MICHIGAN FRUIT GROWERS. 



^'IR, — As I cannot well manage to attend your meetings which are always 

 ^^ so full of interest to me, I will try and comply with your request, and send 

 a brief summary of our meetings at Kalamazoo the first of the month. 

 I did not get there to hear the President's address. In the report of the com- 

 mittee sent to Chicago to take part in the organization of horticulturists for 

 the World's Fair in 1893, they made a strong protest against the schedules of 

 Department " B. Viticulture, Horticulture and Floriculture." Mr. Sanfield 

 explained that it is proposed to divide this Department into groups thus : — 

 Viticulture, fourteen classes ; Horticulture, four classes, vegetables only ; 



