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JOURNAL OF THE EOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



except by sacrificing the fruit trees, and if left in the ground they interfere 

 with the yearly cultivation of the ranche. 



So far the idea — one might almost say the rule — has been to plant many 

 varieties and a few of each. But, looking at the business-side of it, ship- 

 ments must, if they are to be made successful, be made by carloads, not 

 by boxes, and in choosing varieties plant, say, three or four varieties for 

 selling on ten acres, so that their picking will not come at the same time, 

 and so that you may sell quantities of the same fruit off your own orchard 

 rather than be compelled to hunt for somebody with the same variety 

 (whose apples may be better or worse than your own) in order to make 

 up a consignment. 



In the choice of varieties of course the best dessert is the highest 

 priced apple, but some of the best varieties are shy bearers, or poor pollen- 

 producers, and remember in making your selection that most of the 

 Government's excellent pamphlets are taken from experiments carried 

 out in other provinces, or in the States, and in neither case is the climate 

 the same nor are the soil and conditions similar to those which are found 

 in British Columbia. For in a large province like this the different 

 districts themselves vary enormously in these respects. 



Peaches, strawberries, apples, and a variety of other fruits are grown 

 in British Columbia, but it depends entirely on transport, markets, and 

 the locality as to which will be the best business proposition. 



In very few cases can one rely on the nearest town for the sale of all 

 the fruit grown around it ; but the Prairie on the east and Australia on 

 the west are places where fruit is wanted and where it will sell. 



Each year more settlers come out to Canada, and a large proportion 

 of these go to places where fruit cannot be grown, increasing the numbers 

 of miners, farmers, &c, who have to buy their fruit. At present we read 

 that not half of the fruit consumed is raised in the province, yet some of 

 this fruit, such as oranges and lemons, must be imported, and although 

 there seems every probability that the demand, which is at present good, 

 will continue for fruits which will travel long distances, yet local markets 

 only can be relied upon for the " soft " fruits, and such demands are not 

 large. 



I would say in conclusion that there are many things which if run in 

 conjunction with an orchard will help to tide over the five years of wait- 

 ing until the bearing stage is reached, without growing such fruits as 

 strawberries. Honey, eggs, and milk are all profitable, and, given energy 

 and good business instincts, British Columbia has openings for many. 

 Perhaps the most difficult decision which you are asked to make is in the 

 selection of the land on which to make not only an orchard but with it 

 your home. 



