Proceedings, 101:1 25 



Some twenty-five years ago the fruit-growers of British Columbia formed tliem- 

 selves into a society I^nown as the " Provincial Fruit-growers' Association." the object 

 being mutual assistance in selection of lands best adapted for horticulture, and the 

 varieties of fruit that gave promise of success in a new and practically undeveloped 

 and untried country. The Government of the day, from the very first, took a kindly 

 interest in our affairs, assured us of their readiness to assist us financially, and by 

 such legislation as would receive the approval of the Association. As earnest of 

 the Government's good intentions the sum of ?1,000 was placed on the estimates for 

 the use of the Association. I may state that in those days this was considered a 

 ver.v liberal grant. But the financial assistance, though very helpful, was not by 

 any means as valuable and important as the protection which the Government sub- 

 sequently, and at the request of the Association, placed in the Statutes of British 

 Columbia. 



Taking advantage of the assurances given, the As.sociation drew up a Bill 

 entitled the " Horticultural Board Act," by which a Board of Horticulture was 

 created, and the Province divided into three horticultural districts. The members 

 of the Board were chosen by the Government, the term of service being four years ; 

 they were eligible for reappointment at the will of the Government. 



The " Horticultural Board Act " empowered the Board to make such regulations 

 for the promotion and protection of the fruit industry as the Board thought neces- 

 sary and expedient, subject, however, to review by the Attorney-General. After 

 having the approval of that oflicer. the regulation, or regulations, were published in 

 the Government Gazette, after which they had all the force of a statute law. This 

 valuable provision is the key to the success of British Columbia in protecting the 

 Province from any of the destructive pests which afflict the horticulturist in other 

 countries. It is, I believe, greatly to the credit of all the Governments that have 

 been in power during all these years, and also to the prudence of the Board of 

 Horticulture, that not one regulation or decision of the Board on any matter affect- 

 ing the fruit industry- has been vetoed or disallowed during the entire history of 

 the Board, nor has the Federal Government refused its consent to the enforcement 

 of our regulations even when such enforcement bordered on interference with trade 

 and commerce. 



I trust that I will be pardoned for venturing the opinion that the good fortune 

 which has attended the operations of the Board and its oflicers is mainly due to 

 firm, just, and impartial administrations of the horticultural regulations. Not once 

 in the history of the Board has it been shown that even-handed ju.stice was not 

 administered alike to small and great. Not once has the Government been compelled 

 to interfere or reverse the decision of the officer having charge of the enforcement 

 of the laws. Considering the cosmopolitan character of the settlers of this Province, 

 such as importers, consignees, and canning companies, and the varying interests 

 involved, this record is something of which all good citizens may well be proud. 



Immediately after the Board had agreed on a code of regulations it was found 

 necessary to appoint an executive officer whose duty it is to enforce such regulations, 

 and as his duties involved inspection of all nursery stock, whether imported or home 

 grown, and all imported fruit, it was agreed that the tjtle of Inspector of Fruit 

 Pests would he most appropriate. All destructive insects, fungous and bacteriological 

 diseases may be included in the term " pests," so that the title, though very 

 imcommon, was, perhaps, as consistent and satisfactory as any that could have 

 been chosen. 



During the first few years of the operations of the Board there were only three 

 varieties of fruit sul>ject to inspection — viz., apples, pears, and quinces. Not until 

 the appointment of the present incumbent were peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, 

 oranges, lemons, grape-fruit, and pine-apples subject to inspection. As trade with 

 the Orient, Australasia, Sandwich and Fiji Islands began to develop, it was found 

 that we were exposed to the introduction of many destructive pests not commonly 

 distributed in the neighbouring States; this has led up to the inclusion of all vegota- 



