The Canadian HoRTicui.rukisr. 343 



THE APPLE CROP. 



There are so many contradictory reports afloat both with respect to the 

 apple crop in Ontario and to the condition of the foreign markets, that buyers 

 are very slow in making engagements. Indeed, in some sections of Ontario we 

 find growers so totally discouraged that they have about decided to leave their 

 apples ungathered in the orchards, because they fear they will not be worth 

 enough to pay the expenses of handling. We believe this to be a mistaken 

 notion, because, first, the quality of our fruit this year is exceptionally good 

 secondly, the amount of apples that will be exported from Ontario this season 

 will certainly be below the average of other years. This is not the bearing year 

 with the orchards generally, and three-fourths of the trees are entirely devoid of 

 fruit. From all present indications the year of 1892 will witness the greatest 

 •ipple crop upon record. But, in our opinion, the outlook for the apple growers 

 this season is, on the whole, rather encouraging. 



The following are a few of the latest reports upon which we base our opinion 

 concerning the state of the apple crop in Ontario : 



Stormont. — Sir, — Fall and winter apples are a good crop on high lands where the 

 late spring frosts were not destructive, but on low lands not over a half crop. The quality, 

 however, is very good. — W. S. Tcrnkr, Cornwall, Ont. 



Carleton. — Sir, — Winter apples are probably an average crop about Ottawa and east- 

 ward. Fameuse generally a fair crop, of higher quality than has been harvested for the 

 last three or four years.— John Craig, Ottawa 



Fronten'ac. — Sir, — Regarding the crop of winter apples, I can assure you that 

 although the markets are glutted with fall fruit, the winter apples are much less than lialf 

 a crop in this district. — D. Nicol, Catarnqui. 



Prince Edward. —Sir, — The crop of winter apples in this county is a full average, but 

 as we proceed northward the crop gradually diminishes until there are none. On the 

 whole, there is not more than one-quarter of a crop, but we have never had such fine sam- 

 ples. — P. C. Dempsey, Trenton, Ont. 



York. — Sir, — As far as I can ascertain, the crop of winter apples in my agricultural 

 district will be limited to nearly one-third, and, perhaps, even less than that, tall apples 

 have been a drug.— W. E. Wemjnoton, Toronto, Ont. | 



Wentworth. — Sir, — I think the apple crops below the average, although the quantity 

 appears to surpass the expectations as the harvesting progresses. — M. I'ettit, Winona, 

 Ont. 



Perth. — Sir, — From present observations and from information gleaned from buyers 

 and packers, I would put the crop in this county at one-half. In some parts of Middlesex 

 it is two-thirds, but, in other sections it is only one-half. The quality is uncommonly 

 good, and the unusual size fills up fast in barreling. — T. H. Race, Mitchell, Ont. 



Huron. — Sir, — The apple crop of this section cannot be estimated at over one-half. 

 All kinds are very clean and well colored and fairly free from moth. —A. McD. Allan, 



Goderich, Ont. 



Essex. — Sir, — Winter apples will be a light crop in Essex county this year. I will 

 estimate the yield at one-quarter of what it Mas in 1889, but the sample will be very good. 

 — N. J. Clinton, Windsor. 



Norfolk. — Sir, — The crop of winter apples has improved beyond most sanguine 

 hopes. The jcanning and evaporing factories of \\'aterford have bought up over twenty, 

 thousand bushels of apples for use in their factories within the radius of a few miles 

 I think on account of their fine size the crop of winter apples in my agricultural district 

 will exceed the average. — J. K. McMkjhaki , Watfrford, Ont. 

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