The Ottawa valley has never been celebrated for its production of the
large fruits. The ceaseless borer and the severity of the climate are
the chief enemies of the apple. Of this noble fruit, the early summer
varieties appear to be borne on the hardiest trees, and are consequently
those that are chiefly grown. Amongst these may be mentioned the Red
Astracan, the Duchess of Oldenburg, Talman Sweet, Alexander, and the
Fameuse. The Brockville Beauty is being introduced, and the Gatineau
Belle, a fine showy apple, ripe end of September, proves quite hardy,
and though not of first quality is a great acquisition. The St. Lawrence
is also sparingly grown. All the Crabs are hardy, but suffer more or
less from blight and borers. Apples here as elsewhere are injured
considerably by the Codling Moth larvæ. I regret to say I can make no
quotations in pears; a few Flemish Beauties have been raised, but the
trees are more ornamental than useful, and do not live to “a good old
age.” Of plums, the most successful are the Common Wild Red, which have
been a good deal improved by raising seedlings after the Van Mons
system. Sometimes a few Blue Plum trees fruit, but these cannot be
relied upon for a crop; in fact none of the finer varieties appear to
yield very abundantly. Mr. Greenfield, a great enthusiast and one of our
members, has a seedling said to be raised from the Magnum Bonum; it is a
good sized red plum, and an abundant bearer, so far it appears to be
quite hardy, having been fruited three years in succession; it is quite
a step in advance of the best red seedlings from the wild sorts, and if
in the hands of some skillful propagator, might be disseminated about
the colder districts of the Dominion with advantage; it ripens about the
15th August. The black-knot and curculio are unknown here.
The small fruits, with the exception of the blackberry, are all raised
in quantities. The raspberries are all more or less tender when there is
a short snow fall, as there was last winter, and although the wild ones
are exceedingly plentiful, the cultivated ones sell readily at
remunerative prices notwithstanding. The Houghton and other improved
native gooseberries are being extensively grown, and also the
strawberry. Both these fruits are being largely imported, owing to the
western and more southern grown being earlier, and parties from a
distance can supply the market, when the lack of fresh fruit, owing to
the long winter, secures for the earliest berries gilt edged prices.
Each succeeding year appears to awaken more and more interest in the
fruit business and fruit culture, and though sometimes we raise all the
fruit we consume, still nothing is exported from here; and all our
winter apples, and most of the summer ones, are imported from the west
and from over the line from the United States. Both citizens and grocers
are looking for the time when the Alden, or some other equally
successful fruit drying establishment, shall have started business in
the more favored parts of this Province. Parties having a good dried
article of fruit to ship, may be sure of a large and ready sale in this
market. Dried fruits have a considerable advantage over green, the
freight is cheaper, and they do not spoil by keeping, if not placed in
too damp a situation.
I should have mentioned, that although hardly a vine was seen here ten
years ago, grape culture is very rapidly extending. The pure bright air
and unclouded sky appears to suit this luscious fruit, and though our
hot season is comparatively short, the grape ripens as early here as in
more western sections. The Champion has so far proved the earliest
variety, and though it has no great excellence of quality, it is highly
thought of as the first of the season.
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