Threads 4: Broughan Apple Basket

It’s Thanksgiving, apple picking time, and what better basket to celebrate than the Broughan Apple Basket.
The history of the Broughan Apple basket dates back to 1860, when a water driven mill on the Green River, west of Dufferin Creek near Toronto, was opened. At that time they produced brooms paint brushes handles barrels and a variety of local containers including baskets. These were used by local farmers and growers for picking gathering and storing produce and fruit.

In 1870 the factory changed hands, and Bill Pennock was hired to run the mill, it was he who masterminded the design of the oval round bottom Brougham Apple basket. Up to that time, most baskets used in picking were square. Once loaded with apples they had to be dumped in larger containers for transportation to market.

When dumped, square baskets tend to hold apples which when suddenly released would bump and bruise. This greatly reduced the market value and increased the spoilage during long time storage.
Bill Pennock came to the rescue. Using known manufacturing techniques, he designed a new half bushel basket that utilized the same skills, experience building techniques and materials that were being used to produce the standard bushel basket.

He modified a flat bottom mould to an oval and started producing. One has only to turn the Brougham apple basket upside down to see the same splint layout The strong oval shaped round bottom basket was very popular and in great demand. Local users lined the inside with burlap to further protect the fruit and to facilitate the gentle unloading of rolling apples.

Runners were eventually added to the bottom. 3 pounds of hardwood went into building a large half bushel basket which was made up of 19 two-inch machine cut splints. Depending on availability elm maple and ash have been used. The splints were steamed and formed on an oval mould with rim clinch nailed by hand.
The factory changed hands several times and in 1929 was successfully converted to hydropower.
In 1972 the factory was expropriated for the infamous Pickering airport. a new man, Ken Spratley, learned how to make the basket and went into production.

Sadly, the Broughan apple basket is no longer being made.

This story, written by Joyce Benham, was published in the spring 1984 issue of the Best of the Basketry Express.