industry put to the most supreme tests, we cannot yet see the end nor predict its dur- 

 ation. We only know that Great Britain and her Allies are steadfast in their determ- 

 ination to continue the sacrifice, to fight to a successful end regardless of the cost. 

 Under such conditions what message can we give to the fruit producers that will be 

 helpful to them? Only one, and that one seems both timely and necessary. Do not 

 be disheartened. Do not abandon the methods you have adopted during a progressive 

 decade in the belief that so long as the war continues there is little likelihood that any 

 demand will exist for your product. 



Has there in the past season been any indication of a falling off in the demand, for 

 strictly high class fruit? We think not. But there has been a falling off in the quality 

 of fruit which Canadian growers have put upon the home and British markets. 



We in the Fruit Branch are not directly concerned with production, but in our 

 endeavour to develop the commerical end of the fruit industry, we must have the support 

 and co-operation of the growers; and so we feel it necessary to assure them that we believe 

 the demand for strictly high class fruit will continue and not be affected by the Empire's 

 struggle. 



What has caused the falling off in the quality of Canadian fruit? Simply the fact 

 that many growers have abandoned the thorough care of their orchards pending the 

 arrival of what they believe will be more prosperous times. Efficient cultivation and 

 careful spraying have not been as consistently carried on during the past year as formerly. 

 The result is that in the season now closing at least 75% of the apple crop was too 

 seriously affected with scab to grade No. 1, and No. 3 fruit has been a drug upon the 

 market. 



It must be apparent that if our work in this Branch is to meet with the success we 

 hope for, if methods of distribution and marketing are to be perfected, then the quality 

 of the fruit must also approach perfection — and quality rests with the growers. 



Quite apart from that, however, it seems obvious that any grower who hopes to 

 economize temporarily by allowing his spraying machines and orchard implements to 

 be idle, will be the ultimate loser, for when times become more prosperous and he 

 considers it safe to again adopt the methods he has neglected, he will have to combat 

 the accumulated strength of insects and fungus diseases, and it will probably be 

 years before his orchard will be again free of these pests. 



Reports from our Canadian markets during the past few months, and from the 

 markets of Great Britain, show that prices for No. 1 fruit of all varieties have been 

 excellent. There has, however, been so much fruit of poor quality placed before the 

 public that, in some cases, it had to be withdrawn on account of the poor prices offered. 



There is no reason why the Canadian growers should not produce fruit equal in 

 quality to that grown in any part of the world. That has already been proven at the 

 Panama Pacific International Exhibition now closing at San Francisco. From all 

 sources comes the undeniable report that the Canadian fruit exhibit not only equalled 

 but surpassed that from any other section. 



And so we send this message to the growers, not as a complaint but because it is 

 timely advice. We realize that it does not apply to all growers. There are many who 

 have continued their thorough methods and realize now that they have done right. 

 But we feel that if Canadian fruit growers will join hands in an effort to keep up the 

 reputation which their product has heretofore gained for itself, they will have years of 

 prosperity, with the added compensation of knowing that they are doing their share 

 towards a common end — the sustenance of an Empire fighting for its existence. 



FRUIT LOSSES FROM INSECTS IN ONTARIO 



As a rule the great mass of people who have small orchards seldom get anything 

 worth speaking of for their fruit. This is as much because they do not know how to 

 sell it, even if it were clean, as because of insect injuries. Three years ago I passed 



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