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     Fruit—The old idea that fruit could not be grown in 
     
     Prince Edward Island has been exploded. Although the 
     
     industry is yet in the initial stage, it is being prosecuted more 
     
     vigorously than formerly, and the yield is three or four 
     
     times greater than it was a decade ago. The display of 
     
     fruits at the various provincial exhibitions, and at the 
     
     last meeting of the Fruit-Growers’ Association, was 
     
     surprisingly good. The most abundant fruits are apples, 
     
     plums, and cherries. Of apples, the Spy, King, Ben Davis, 
     
     Wealthy, Ontario and Pewaukee, together with some earlier 
     
     kinds, are those most commonly grown—the hardy varieties 
     
     succeeding best. Pears, plums and cherries are raised suc- 
     
     cessfully. The cultivation of strawberries is receiving more 
     
     attention, and considerable quantities are exported, as well 
     
     as wild raspberries and blueberries. There is a good market 
     
     for small fruits, both fresh and preserved. 
     
    

    
     Prior to 1898 there was very little export of fruit, but in 
     
     that year, owing to the subsidizing of ocean steamers fitted 
     
     with cold storage, for direct service between this province 
     
     and Great Britain, several successful shipments of apples, 
     
     commanding good prices, were made to the Old Country; 
     
     and there can be no doubt about the possibilities for the ex- 
     
     tension of the industry. With more careful selection and 
     
     better packing of the fruit, together with good transpor- 
     
     tation and storage facilities, this trade could be vastly ex- 
     
     tended and made very remunerative. 
     
    

    
     The interests of the fruit-growers are carefully fostered 
     
     by the Prince Edward Island Fruit-Growers' Association, an 
     
     institution incorporated in 1898. Its objects, like those of all 
     
     similar societies elsewhere, are cooperative and educational. 
     
     It disseminates information as to the best methods of culture, 
     
     and as to proper handling, packing and marketing; and it 
     
     also promotes legislation in the interest of the industry. 
     
     Connected with the association are some of the most promi- 
     
     nent and scientific fruit-growers of the province. 
     
    

    
     The total number of bearing and non-bearing apple trees