THE APPLE. 



73 



Tail Moth, Figure-of-8 Moth, Garden Chafer, 

 Lackey Moth, Lunar-spotted Pinion Moth, 

 Mottled Umber Moth, Pale Brindled Beauty 

 Moth, Pear-leaf Blister Moth, Red-footed Beetle, 

 Small Ermine Moth, Winter Moth, Yellow-Tail 

 Moth. Root Enemies. — Cockchafer. Stem 

 Borers. — Apple Clearwing Moth, Goat Moth, 

 Stem-boring Weevils, W^ood Leopard Moth. 



Apples for Market. 



The disposal of surplus garden supplies of 

 Apples, as well as of other fruits, is now so 

 general that it is necessary gardeners should 

 have some knowledge of the commercial side 

 of fruit culture. In the early stages of their 

 career it is difficult to gain the requisite infor- 

 mation, unless they serve in establishments 

 where marketing is carried out on a business 

 basis; but no opportunity should be lost in 

 that direction. Apart from the sale of surplus 

 produce, the number of plantations founded 

 solely for commercial purposes is increasing, 

 and there is a demand for practical men who 

 are familiar with the duties of such positions. 

 It is desirable, therefore, that all young men 

 engaged in horticulture should be well informed 

 on the whole subject, both as to the prospects, 

 the difficulties, the methods, the expenses, and 

 the results. It is the purpose of the following 

 hints to convey an idea of the commercial 

 aspect of Apple culture, which may be modified 

 according to varying circumstances, and adapted 

 to either small or large undertakings. Though 

 specially directed to the requirements of Apple 

 growers, most of the particulars will be found 

 to have a bearing upon the market culture of 

 fruits generally, as they embody the results of 

 many years' experience in several counties and 

 under widely different circumstances. 



Present Position and Prospects. — In devoting 

 some attention to a consideration of the possible 

 profits derivable from Apples, it may be desir- 

 able to review the condition and prospects of 

 the industry, for erroneous ideas in both re- 

 spects have been productive of much mischief. 

 Enthusiastic support of a good cause is always 

 welcome, and where there is a stimulating 

 influence of this character optimistic views are 

 likely to preponderate; and so long as these do 

 not lead to misstatements, calculated to cause 

 the uninitiated to form undue expectations, no 

 evil may result. Unfortunately, however, some 

 advocates have materially damaged an excellent 

 cause by indulging a rather too prolific imagina- 



tion, or by founding their statements on imper- 

 fect or partial evidence. 



It has been urged thac the land cultivator, 

 to ensure prosperity, should plant acres of 

 Apple-trees. On the strength of this some 

 have invested a considerable amount of capital, 

 and then construed their instructor's advice so 

 literally that they have thought and acted as if 

 nothing more were needed than to wait for the 

 result. Experience moderates enthusiasm. We 

 are thoroughly convinced of the benefits which, 

 under the right conditions, can be derived from 

 Apple culture. Still, we have been so impressed 

 with the evils arising from extravagant state- 

 ments that induce persons to enter a business 

 for which they are unqualified, and under cir- 

 cumstances which do not afford a reasonable 

 chance of satisfactory results, that we are 

 compelled to urge caution on the part of 

 would-be beginners. 



The cultivation of hardy fruits is a pleasur- 

 able and healthful occupation to those who have 

 vigour of body and mind, who are able and 

 willing to work, who are naturally persevering, 

 not easily daunted by difficulties, who are ener- 

 getic, resourceful, and quick to adapt them- 

 selves to circumstances. For such men, adding 

 the essential knowledge and experience of the 

 business, there is ample room. Keen as the 

 competition may be, they can make a living, 

 and may even do more than this. They may 

 be able in the course of years to contemplate a 

 comfortable balance at the bank as the result of 

 well-directed labour. 



If it were possible to obtain the exact figures. 

 we should probably find that the total amount 

 of fresh or preserved fruit consumed in this 

 country is nearly double what it was a quarter 

 of a century ago. The increased attention 

 paid to dietetic matters can only result in still 

 further, advance in this respect, though we do 

 not anticipate that the Briton will ever entirely 

 subsist on a fruit and vegetable diet. There 

 can, however, be no question respecting the 

 advantages of plentiful supplies of good fruit 

 and vegetables in improving the health of the 

 people; and this is becoming so generally re- 

 cognized, and is so frequently enforced by the 

 highest sanitary authorities, that it would be 

 safe to predict an even greater proportionate 

 demand than now exists. The British fruit 

 grower has therefore nothing to fear on the 

 ground of demand, but what he has to face is 

 the competition of cultivators in other countries 

 who are less heavily burdened. This, it must 

 be admitted, is now formidable. 



