LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS. 



Ottawa, July 18, 1911. 



W. H. Bunting, Esq., 



St. Catharines, Ont. 



Dear Sir: — With respect to the special inquiry into the fruit-growing 

 industry which you have agreed to undertake on behalf of this Department 

 the following instructions are given you: — 



You will please proceed with this work at an early date so that you may 

 complete the inquiry before the end of the year and have a summary report 

 ready for presentation at the Third Dominion Conference of Fruit Growers, 

 which will be held some time during the coming winter. You may arrange 

 your own itinerary, so as to visit all the principal fruit-growing sections 

 in Quebec, Ontario, Maritime Provinces and British Columbia. It is desirable 

 that you should also visit those localities in Manitoba and Alberta where apples 

 are being grown with more or less success. 



You will of course consult with the various Provincial authorities and officers 

 of the Provincial Fruit Growers Associations, all of whom have been notified 

 of the object of your inquiry and have been asked to assist you as far as it may 

 be convenient to them to do so. You are also at liberty to make use of the 

 services of the officers of this Branch stationed at the various points that may 

 be covered by your itinerary. ^ Arrangements will be made as far as possible for 

 some one familiar with the different districts to accompany you as a sort of 

 guide to facilitate your investigations. 



A list of the officials in the various Provinces together with the names of 

 many prominent fruit-growers is being prepared for your information. 



The Minister approves of your visiting some of the more important apple 

 growing districts in Washington and Oregon and also in the State of New York. 

 It, may be possible for you to arrange your itinerary so that you can attend 

 the National Apple Show at Spokane, \Vash. 



You will please endeavour to secure as much information as possible on the 

 following points: — 



1. The possibilities of an extension of the fruit growing industry of Canada 

 in the different localities visited. 



2. The tendencies in the matters of the planting and growing of different 

 kinds of fruit, and with regard to apples, the varieties which are being most 

 extensively planted in the different districts. The tendencies to plant early or 

 late varieties should be noted. 



3. The difficulties which are likely to be encountered in the further develop- 

 ment of the fruit growing industry. 



4. Methods of production and orchard management which have been most 

 successful in the different districts, and the probabilities of over production. 



5. While in the prairie Provinces you will have an opportunity of studying 

 the conditions under which British Columbia, Ontario and Maritime Province 

 fruit is marketed in those Provinces. The character and the effect of American 

 competition may also be inquired into. 



It will not be necessary for you to gather any statistics as to the number of 

 trees, acreage, &c, &c, as the particulars will be obtained from the decennial 

 Census, which is now being taken. 



