FRUIT GROWERS WANT AN EXPERT. 



459 



W. H. Dempsey, of Trenton ; Wm. Rickard, 

 of Newcastle ; E. Lick, of Oshawa ; M. 

 Pettit, of Winona; E. Morris, of Fonthill; 

 H. H. Grofif, of Simcoe ; J. L. Hilborn, of 

 Leamington ; A. E. Sherrington, of Walker- 

 ton ; T. H. Race, of Mitchell ; G. C. Caston, 

 of Craighurst; W. H. Bunting, of St. Catha- 

 rines ; A. McNeill, of Ottawa; W. T. Ma- 

 coun, of Ottawa, and Prof. H. L. Hutt, of 

 Gnelph. 



At the opening session the directors dis- 

 cussed the question of educating the fruit 

 growers by demonstrations and orchard 

 meetings, or any means that would result in 

 a better quality of fruit being produced. 

 Some thought that the horticultural socie- 

 ties should pay more attention to fruit and 

 that growers should be notified when a so- 

 ciety in that district was holding a meeting. 

 Others pointed out that societies could not 

 materially benefit fruit growers. The good 

 work done by orchard meetings arranged 

 by Mr. G. A. Putnam, Superintendent of 

 Farmers' Institutes, should not be over- 

 looked, but more of this is needed, and it 

 was suggested that an energetic man, spec- 

 ially interested in fruit growing, be ap- 

 pointed to act with Mr. Putnam to arrange 

 for more frequent meetings and demon- 

 strations. The formation of cooperative 

 associations and the offering of county 

 prizes at exhibitions were considered im- 

 portant features. 



The finding of the committee appointed 

 to report on matters connected with The 

 Canadian Horticulturist was favorable. In 

 a discussion in regard to The Horticulturist 

 the members agreed that the magazine has 

 been greatly improved. The report of the 

 committee was unanimously adopted. 



AT THE EVENING SESSION. 



Hon. Nelson Monteith, ^Minister of Agri- 

 culture, presided at the evening meeting. 

 In his address as chairman he referred to 

 the change of conditions since the time of 

 Ontario's pioneer settlers when fruit was 



considered a luxury to the present when it 

 is a necessity. Farmers were advised to 

 practise intensive rather than extensive 

 farming. The advisability of some recog- 

 nition being given to those who propagate 

 new varieties was mentioned as a stimulant 

 to thorough investigative and scientific 

 work. 



Questions in horticulture were treated by 

 Mr. Alex. McNeill, Chief of the Fruit Divi- 

 sion. The best means of fittingly honoring 

 distinguished horticulturists was dealt with. 

 Mr. McNeill suggested that a suitable bio- 

 graphical address, referring to the work of 

 the late Mr. D. C. Beaddle, be put in the an- 

 nual report of the Fruit Growers' Associa- 

 tion. It was recommended that such varie- 

 ties of apples as Mcintosh Red, Ontario and 

 Baxter should have their histories written 

 so that future generations would know their 

 origin, characteristics and qualities. 



The good work of the Transportation 

 Committee before the railway commission- 

 ers, and the educational value of such 

 shows as the Horticultural Exhibition were 

 referred to. Mr. McNeill said that the 

 past season taught fruit growers that there 

 should be a systematic and regular report 

 made giving the record of crops and results 

 so that the prospects each year might be 

 compared from month to month. This sea- 

 son buyers operated early and profits that 

 should have accrued to the producers went 

 to the dealers. He urged the growers not 

 to sell until the market conditions were 

 known and not to allow false reports, writ- 

 ten by incompetent reporters, to influence 

 them. It was pointed out that Ontario 

 growers supply the local markets, but that 

 they must work hard to gain a strong hold 

 in the markets in the Canadian Northwest 

 in competition with British Columbia and 

 the western States, and also, to increase 

 their trade with Great Britain. 



Fruit growing in Great Britain was dis- 

 cussed bv Mr. W. T. Macoun, of Ottawa. 



