28 

 ONTARIO. 



The Province of Ontario is without doubt the most important one in the 

 Dominion from a horticultural standpoint, both as regards the extent of terri- 

 tory involved, the great variety of fruits which reach perfection, and the volume 

 of the trade which has been successfully developed throughout Canada and in 

 foreign markets. 



Freedom from Frost. 



Owing to the proximity of the several large lakes surrounding the southern 

 part of the Province, it has, over a large territory, a much milder and more 

 equable climate than many sections of the United States considerably farther 

 south. Late spring frosts and severe winter temperatures are quite unusual 

 here, and consequently many of the tender varieties of fruits may be produced 

 with great regularity and success. 



The eastern part of the Province, comprising the counties along the St. 

 Lawrence river, are more especially suited to the successful production of the 

 varieties of apples which succeed in south-western Quebec, such as the Fameuse, 

 Wealthy, Mcintosh Red, Alexander, Wolf River and similar hardy kinds. 

 While plums, pears and cherries have been planted, this section is suitable only 

 for varieties of these fruits which have been proven to be capable of withstanding 

 severe winter temperatures. Gooseberries, currants and strawberries do well, 

 while raspberries require protection for most varieties. 



St. Lawrence Experiment Station. 



A day was pleasantly spent at Maitland with Mr. Harold Jones, one of the 

 most prominent fruit growers in this section, who has charge of the St. Lawrence 

 Fruit Station, one of the thirteen experimental stations established by the 

 Ontario Fruitgrowers' Association in various parts of the Province, at one time 

 under the direction of the late Hon. John Dryden, for many years Minister of 

 Agriculture for Ontario. Mr. Jones has had occasion to test many varieties of 

 fruits in the course of his work and has furnished a great deal of valuable infor- 

 mation from time to time through the reports which he has made and which 

 have been published by the Department. This work has been largely a public- 

 spirited effort on his part, from the fact that he has devoted one of the best fields 

 on his farm for this purpose, and instead of having it fully occupied with a splen- 

 did orchard of standard apples, there have been planted at various times, for 

 experimental purposes, many kinds which, proving unsuitable and unable to 

 stand the conditions of this locality, have been a source of loss and disappoint- 

 ment. In the main orchard on this farm there are some splendid specimens of 

 the Fameuse, Scarlet Pippin and Wealthy, which for many years have produced 

 large and profitable crops. Mr. Jones considers these varieties and the Mcintosh 

 Red, of which he has a fine young orchard, to be the best commercial proposition 

 for eastern Ontario, and contemplates planting largely of these kinds. 



McIntosh Red. 



A very considerable area extending eastward along the St. Lawrence and 

 northward to the city of Ottawa, is also highly suitable for the production of 

 these and similar hardy fruits. In the county of Dundas at Dundela, formerly 

 known as Mcintosh Corners, is to be found the original home of the Mcintosh 



