History of tender fruit in the area
| Prince
Edward County has a long history of horticulture, with it being the
mainstay of
the economy for centuries. For
decades
our region was known as Canada’s canning capital, producing canned
products
such as peas, tomatoes, sour cherries and pumpkin which were shipped
nationwide
and internationally. At
one time Prince
Edward County was the supplier of one third of all canned product in
Canada.
The production of tender fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, sour
cherries
and apples was also a key component to our horticultural makeup.
History of
grape growing dates back to the 1800’s when Dorland Noxon of Prince
Edward
County was awarded a gold medal at the 1876 Philadelphia Exposition. As with other regions,
market and economic
factors have resulted in changes.
Currently Prince Edward County’s major agricultural
industries
are; |
A
Selective History of Prince Edward County
| Champlain
visited the region on his
voyage of discovery as early as 1615. The Sulpician Order, along with the
Grey Nuns
who founded Montreal, spent 12 years in the region ministering the
Cauugans between 1668 and 1680, leaving the region without loss of life. The Sulpicians were in the
region longer than
the Jesuits were in Ste. Marie Among the Hurons. Settled after the American War of Independence (1780’s) Many historic buildings still remain Prince Edward County was known as the breadbasket of Upper Canada from the early 1800’s until the opening of the west. Along with wheat exported to England, barley was a principal crop, exported to NY State breweries. Hops were grown in the County from 1841. Many small ports existed at the time. The introduction of the McKinley tariff ended the export of eastern grains to the US. 1854 marks the first mention of grapes grown in the County. County wine wins a medal at the International Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. The temperance movement seems to have ended wine making by the beginning of the twentieth century. Murray Canal built in 1881 gives western access to the Bay of Quinte and helps promote an island feeling in the peninsula. At the eastern entrance to County the Glenora Ferry has operated for over 200 years. Canneries began in the late 1800’s and flourished until about 1955 with the last ones closing in the early 1980’s. In the 1940’s “The Garden County” produced 43% of the tomatoes canned in Canada. Significant unemployment and low average income followed the demise of the canneries. Provincial Parks and beaches, especially Sandbanks, form the backbone of the tourism industry, which relies on camping and cottage rentals, and is summer-based. Phil Matheson planted the first “vinifera” grapes in an experimental vineyard in the early 1980’s. The first modern-day commercial vineyard was begun in the mid-nineties when Ed Neuser began planting hybrids in Waupoos. County Cider received the first winery license in the late nineties, to compliment its cider production. |