i 
January, 1861, though there was a meeting for show of fruit and discussion of fruit 
topics in October previous, at which time my connection with this association began. I 
think I have only been absent from two of its annual and five or six of its other meet- 
ings since that time. There were seventeen members at this meeting, quite a show of 
fruit, and a good display of enthusiasm, besides some rambling discussion, and it was 
decided to hold a meeting for the election of officers on the 16th of January following, 
which was accordingly held. At this meeting the late Judge Logie, of Hamilton, was 
elected president, which office he held till the year 1867, when he was succeeded by the 
late Wm. H. Mills, of this city. During this period meetings were held two or three 
times a year, at various places, for show of fruits and discussions upon topics connected 
with fruit culture, which brought out a great amount of useful information and no doubt 
helped to lay the foundation of success in fruit culture which followed, though the meet- 
ings were often but poorly attended, and the membership of the society had only in- 
creased to thirty members. Fruit growing for profit was little thought of in Canada at 
that time, except by a few persons in the Niagara district, and afew other favored 
localities. In fact it was a question in many parts of the country, where fruit is now 
grown largely for market, whether it could be grown at all or not. Many had planted 
different varieties in many localities on the recommendation of traveling agents which 
were not adapted to the country and their failure had discouraged them and others from 
planting. During the year 1868, through the efforts of Mr. Mills and his co-laborers, 
the society was incorporated under the Society and Arts Act, and became entitled to 
receive from the public funds a yearly grant of $350. This enabled us to collate, pub- 
lish and distribute the information gathered in our society and also adopt a system of 
sending out plants and trees to the different members in various parts of the province 
for trial, and this has been productive of a vast amount of good in showing what varieties 
are’and what are not adapted to different localities. From that time forward, our labors 
have been a continual success. We have held our meetings in nearly every part of the 
province, thus arousing local interest in the work, and encouraging farmers and others 
to plant fruit. The Government, seeing our good works, have from time to time 
increased our grant to enable us to carry out special plans for the advancement of this 
interest ; notably our exhibits of fruit at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia and 
the Colonial in England, which did more to attract attention to Canadian fruits aud 
place them in the position they now occupy, in the front rank of the best markets of the 
world, than all other causes combined. In thus attracting attention to Canada asa fruit 
country it would naturally be suggested that a climate adapted to fruit growing would be 
a desirable one to live in and thus I have not the least doubt that we have been instru- 
mental in bringing many settlers from other countries to Canada. 
Another scheme, which our Government grant has enabled us to carry out, has been 
the publishing of our Canadian Horticulturist, a medium through which a vast fund of 
useful information is conveyed to our members and many of the general public besides , 
and under the management of its present efficient editor it is constantly growing better 
and its usefulness is extending. I need not say this to the members, who all receive it, 
but to those here who are not members I would say join our association, if for no other 
reason than in order that you may have the Canadian Horticulturist. 
