256 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



$ ©per) Lett^ps. ^ 



THE FRUIT GARDEN AT NIAGARA. 



Sir, — You will be pleased to know that the peach crop here will be fair, though not 

 large. Plums and pears are very heavy and pretty free from curculio, while grapes never 

 looked more promising. 



The grape beetle attacked them when coming into leaf, destroying some vines in this 

 vicinity. We destroyed the most of them, but those which escaped deposited their eggs on 

 the leaves, which soon developed into small brown worms, and these were most destructive. 

 I at once applied the Bordeaux mixture, which has proved a good remedy both for this and 

 for the thrip, which has also been troublesome. I have applied the mixture to my apples, 

 and, I think, with success. Ij am very much pleased with your annual report, so hand 

 somely bound and set up. 



W. McM., The Rectory, Niagara. 



APPLE PROSPECTS IN ENGLAND. 



The season for Tasmanian apples being just over, I post you a few of our catalogues 

 which will give you a fair idea how prices have ranged. The cases contain a bushel or a 

 trifle over. On looking at prices the cost must be considered, and this you will understand 

 from the fact that the freight alone is 4s. M. per case. They arrive here from Hobart, 

 Tasmania, in the mail steamers, stowed in cool chambers. The apple prospects here, as 

 far as indications go at present, are most favorable for an abundant crop, and as far as 

 this market is concerned, means, we shall not require to import any till well on in the 

 month of October or November. 



J. B. Thomas. 

 Covenb Garden Market, London, Eng. 



THE APPLE PROSPECTS IN BRITAIN. 



Sib, — In our desire to keep you " au courant " as to the apple trade and its prospects we 

 now address you. Since we last had this pleasure the Tasmanian apple season has finished 

 entirely in accordance with our earlier advice to shippers. 140,000 cases have been shipped 

 this season, embodying a period of about ten weeks. The crop in Tasmania being very 

 backward, the last consignments reached here the beginning of this month. As a natural 

 consequence soft fruit being on the market, apples sufi^ered in price to a considerable extent ; 

 the bulk of sales per Port Victor averaging 7/- to 9/- per case. 



Tasmanian fruit is of very fine quality, but it has not the keeping properties of Cana- 

 dian fruit. This fruit is never likely to seriously interfere with your growth as the arrivals 

 do not commence until yours are practically over. A serious matter with the owners of 

 this fruit, is the fact that a case containing 36 to 40 pounds of fruit cannot be placed on 

 the market under a cost of at least 6/- to 6/6, without any allowance for the cost of the 

 fruit. The Tasmanian growers have combined to ship next season 170,000 to 300,000 cases. 

 Their representative writes us they are well pleased with our advice and sales. Next 

 season he will be here to superintend the sales, which is satisfactory. 



The crop both here and on the Continent, namely France, Belgium and Germany, is 

 now decided unless storms should arise. In France the crop is very partial. Bordeaux, one 

 of the principal districts advise us that the crop is bad ; in other countries from which we 

 get autumn and winter supplies, promise a large supply. The quality of this fruit is poor 

 in comparison with yours. There will certainly be a good demand for winter stock but 

 shippers will have to face the certainty that fruit will have to be sold at moderate prices. 

 It will have to be handled carefully, selected and tightly packed. Shippers should estab- 

 lish a particular brand as their own for their best fruit ; if by any chance they are compelled 

 to pack any they have their doubts about , they should brand them differently. 



We shall keep you well posted as the season advances, and in the meantime. 



Yours ifaithfully, 



Garcia, Jacobs & Co. 



