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Thursday was made, in honour of Her Majesty the Queen, a day 

 of rest and recreation. During the forenoon a large party visited the 

 Central Experimental Farm, and were conducted over the grounds by 

 the Director and his staff, who fully explained the many interesting 

 experiments in progress in the several departments. A Luncheon and 

 Garden Party at Government House, to the members and delegates, 

 was given by Their Excellencies, whose delightful hospitality was greatly 

 enjoyed. The society sent through His Excellency a cable message of 

 congratulation to Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, to which a gracious 

 reply was promptly transmitted. 



Friday morning was occupied by the sections in completing their 

 work and electing their officers, and in the afternoon a general meeting 

 of the society was held, at which the reports of the sections were 

 received, several Fellows elected, and various important matters 

 discussed. The meeting was closed by the election of the following 

 officers for the present year : President, Mr. J. M. LeMoine, Quebec '. 

 Vice-President, Dr. Selwyn ; Hon. -Sec, Dr. Bonrinot ; Hon.-Treas., 

 Mr. Fletcher. 



An eloquent and forcible lecture was delivered in the evening by 

 Prof. B. E. Fernow, Chief of the Division of Forestry, U. S. Dept. of 

 Agriculture, Washington, his subject being the " Battle of the forest. '> 

 He graphically portrayed, first the long fight for the possession of the 

 earth's surface and the formation of soil ; next the conflicts of the 

 various species and the struggle for the most favorable habitats ; finally, 

 the defeat by man, and the destruction of the more valuable forms. 

 With axe and fire, not only the forest is removed, but often the very 

 soil which it had taken so many ages to accumulate and prepare. The 

 interest of the lecture was much enhanced by numerous beautiful illus- 

 trations. This address, read in conjunction with that of Prof. Macoun 

 should impress upon all thoughtful persons the necessity for a more 

 comprehensive and rational system of using our forests. 



The success of this meeting of the society was contributed to by 

 the following distinguished scientists from the United States, (who were 

 present by invitation), Prof. O. C. Marsh, Dr. S. Scudder and Prof. B. 

 E. Fernow. Rt. Hon. James Brice (London Eng.), Sir James Hector 

 (Wellington, N. Z.), and Dr. S. H. Scudder (Washington U.S.), were 



