How can we make our Association more useful? Our winter meetings are generally 

 "well attended, and it seems to me that every one that attends them is amply paid for the 

 -time and labour spent. We enjoy a privilege that can scarcely be attained in any other 

 way, the privilege of grasping a brother's hand and exchanging ideas ; privileges that 

 seem too difficult to secure in any other way. Our Summer Meetings are not so well at- 

 tended, coming as they usually do on account of the maturing of small fruits, just as the 

 farmers are commencing to harvest. Can we not hold thirteen summer meetings — say 

 one in each Electoral division, each meeting to be presided over by the director represent- 

 ing that division. It occurs to me that in this way we may induce many to attend and 

 take part in our discussions that we don't have the pleasvire of seeing or hearing anything 

 from. Again, the information obtained would be sectional and consequently, more valu- 

 able. The expenses of these meetings would not be so much as now, even if we had to 

 employ a Secretary for each of them. The Agricultural and Horticultural Societies could 

 in many instances be induced to unite with us. Nearly every farmer, merchant, mechanic, 

 teacher, or gardener, is becoming interested in this, one of the most interesting branches 

 of industry. Many questions are being asked every day : How can I best ornament 

 my grounds 1 How can I grow raspberries and strawberries to supply my family 1 

 How do you manage to get such fine melons, cauliflowers, celery, and other vegetables 1 

 Thus we find the majority of our population becoming interested in this most important 

 branch of husbandry. 



Again, can we not in some way induce ladies to attend our meetings, by arranging 

 our subjects so that they would become interested in them 1 Could we not admit man 

 and wife as members upon the payment of one dollar and fifty qgnts, only sending them 

 one copy of the Report and the Hortimdturist ? By this means the man could select his 

 tree and vine, while his wife could choose her flower or vegetable, as the case may be. 

 Can we not induce ladies to contribute papers to be read at these meetings upon their 

 favourite flower, or their best varieties of vegetables or fruit for canning or culinary pur- 

 poses 1 



FORESTRY. 



More than that of other workmen, the farmer's business binds him at home. He 

 lives on or near the soil he tills. Hence, above all others, he should try to make his home 

 attractive and pleasant by planting ornamental trees and shrubs about his place. Can 

 we not encourage a taste for arboriculture by introducing the study of Bbtany in our 

 common schools % Could not our teachers make the study interesting by showing the 

 children how plants grow, what are the component parts of a tree, the difference between 

 the formation of wood and bark, and how to recognise the different species by their foli- 

 age and otherwise % Also by encouraging them to plant each a tree within the school 

 grounds, each to watch and care for his own tree or plant. Could this system not be so 

 introduced among our people, that the love and respect for tree culture will become so 

 inculcated in the minds of the people that they will look upon any person that will deface 

 or destroy any ornamental or shade tree, as upon one that would rob them of their own 

 existence or best friend ? Would it not have a tendency to some extent to do away with 

 those bush fires that are so much dreaded ? Could not our children so be taught that the 

 next generation would hold our forest as sacred, and preserve them as one of God's bless- 

 ings to them, particularly those forests situate upon lands that will not admit of cultiva- 

 tion 1 Cannot our farmers be taught, that, when clearing their lands, it will pay them to 

 preserve all the surface soil and decaying foliage as one of their greatest treasures 1 



Gentlemen, I must not detain you any longer. These suggestions are made for your 

 consideration. T know not whether you will find them of any practical value. The field 

 opening before us seems to be boundless ; to be one that will task the utmost power of 

 human thought and energy. I wish you God speed in your every undertaking to further 

 the objects of our noble society. 



