FINAL SESSION. 191 



that the distance was too great and that the subjects that would be brought 

 forward to the conference were such as would not be of great assistance 

 to workers in the West Indies. 



But since we have been here, Mr. Fawcett and myself have been thor- 

 oughly delighted with the business that has come before the conference, the 

 thorough earnestness with which the subjects have been dealt with, and 

 with the large amount of valuable information that we have received. 



The information itself has been most valuable, but also we have had sug- 

 gestions given to us with regard to our future work that I believe will be 

 of the greatest possible benefit to the West Indies. To you, sir. and to mem- 

 bers of the council, and to the officers of the Horticultural Society of New- 

 York, I have the very greatest pleasure in seconding the sentiments proposed 

 by Mr. Bateson. 



W. S.^UNEERS : I heartily concur with what has been said by the two 

 previous speakers as to the importance of this great international gatherin:; 

 of those interested in plant breeding, and as to the great pleasure which it has 

 afforded us all to be here. And, also, may I join them in the expectation 

 that great good will come of the deliberations which 'we have been fortunate 

 enough to be here to take part in as representing the country to the north of 

 you? It is not a small country, either; a country we are rather proud of; as 

 to its size we have a good deal to be proud of, and we hope some day to get 

 it filled. 



In that country there are a great many problems relating to horticulture 

 and agriculture, problems which can only be overcome in the long run by the 

 plant breeder, and this international gathering, which we have had the pleasure 

 of taking part in, is one which I consider oi very great and particular value 

 to us who live in the North. There are many districts of our great country, 

 which is destined to be the home of many millions of people, where the 

 products which we now have and which we can grow so successfully in the 

 central parts of the continent cannot be cultivated at all ; they do not grow, 

 they will not stand the various changes that occur in the climate and the 

 extremes they have to meet. 



Now, these difficulties can only be overcome by plant breeding. Find 

 some plant which will succeed there, — however low it may be down in tlu' 

 scale, — and then, by working in these different elements of which Mr, 

 Munson and a number of other speakers have told us, we hope to be a1)le 

 to build up character in these products. We are trying to do that, and thus 

 in time prepare for cultivation in these districts, which naturally seem so 

 unfitted for the work, such products as will be useful and profitable to our 

 people. I cannot very well express the pleasure and gratification I have had — 

 it has been so great — in attending this meeting, and I am sure I only voice 

 the sentiments of my confreres, who are here from different parts of Canada, 

 that we all feel we owe a debt of gratitude to the officers of the Horticultural 

 Society of New York for inviting us to be here, and we are all delighted that 

 we came. 



H. H. Groff : Speaking from the ranks of the unscientific workers, 1 

 would like to record my great pleasure at the honor and privilege that I 

 have felt it to be to be with you during this conference. T shall always look 



