JOURNAL 



OF THE 



Royal Horticultural Society. 



Vol. XXXV. 1909. 

 Part I. 



THE CULTIVATION OF FEUIT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. 



By Mr. H. Hincks, F.R.H.S. 



During the last few years much attention has been attracted to British 

 Columbia as a country to which to turn with a reasonable prospect of 

 making a living, on account of its fruit-growing capabilities. In no small 

 degree has its fruit attracted the attention of the many who have not an 

 "opening " at home, but in no less a degree has it attracted the notice of 

 the few who look for good fruit to eat and have a difficulty in getting it. 



Many have seen the fruit at the Royal Horticultural Society's shows, 

 but comparatively few have ever tasted it ; and the taste of an apple, as 

 in the very earliest days, is still a temptation, heightened when its equal 

 does not often find its way into the shops of fruit-dealers. 



British Columbia, not, I venture to think, without deserving it, is 

 becoming a place to look to for fine fruit, and for a pleasant life in the 

 growing of it — a life full of hard work certainly, but one in which, if 

 not a fortune, at least a comparatively safe income may be earned ; a life 

 healthier than in an office and congenial to those who like to work with 

 their hands. 



It is often said that people should have gone there to grow fruit five 

 or six years ago, but, from what I have seen, the object lessons which can 

 be learned from looking at mistakes made in the varieties planted, and 

 the way in which they were cultivated, almost entirely compensate for 

 the time lost. The indifferent varieties planted in the early days of fruit- 

 growing, will, as time goes on, have to give way to the fine varieties of 

 the future. The poorer varieties are bought now only because no quantity 

 of the finer ones can yet be obtained. 



The following are points which are worthy of the attention of any one 

 thinking of starting fruit-growing : — 



1. See all the land you can before buying anything. 



2. Be sure that it is fruit-growing land which you do buy. 



VOL. XXXV. B 



