THE QUEBEC FRUIT GROWERS. 



49 



wick and on to Nova Scotia, we would find 

 one unbroken chain from Lake Huron on the 

 west to the shores of the Atlantic on the 

 east. 



Mr. J. M. Fisk, of Abbotsford, gave an 

 able address on varieties of apples to grow 

 for export and the discussion that followed 

 gave Fameuse, Mcintosh, Winter St. Law- 

 rence and Rochelle first place. Russian are 

 not in demand ; Windsor Chief and Lawver 

 promised well, Blue Pearmain is good, but 

 such a shy bearer that it is not considered 

 profitable. 



The question of packages also came up 

 and the box is generally considered the most 

 satisfactory when packing in barrels it was 

 recommended to use paper at the head and 

 to use excelsior for pressing, to avoid brus- 

 ing the fruit. 



W. Craig Jr., Abbotsford, showed some 

 specimens of cranberries grown on his farm 

 and gave a very interesting address on the 

 very desirable fruit. He says any waste 

 land of mucky nature that can be flooded 

 during the winter with a foot or two of water 

 and kept flooded during early spring is all 

 that is required : with such land it is only 

 necessary to cover with an inch or two of 

 sand to keep weeds in check and set the 

 plants a foot or so apart, flooding in the fall 

 and draining off in May; the plot will take 

 care of itself and be a paying investment in 

 three or four years from the time the plants 

 were set. 



G. Reymond, La Trappe, gave an address 

 in French on starting an orchard which led 

 to a lively discussion in both languages. 



Mr. Reymond is a Horticulturist and 

 nurseryman at Oka farm, a short description 

 of which might be interesting, showing the 

 possibilities of the Province and of a farm 

 well managed. 



Lying to the north of the Lake of Two 

 Mountains on theOttawa river is theTrappist 

 Monastery Agricultural College and farm. 

 This farm comprises about loco acres. The 



fine thoroughbred stock of cattle, horses, 

 sheep and swine of many breeds delight the 

 eye of the stock raiser. 



On the farm they have about 200 cows, 

 250 pigs, a large number of horses, a cheese 

 factory where the famous Oka cheese is 

 manufactured, which sells at 25 cents per 

 pound wholesale ; about 200 acres of 

 orchard, vineyard and nursery; large wine 

 presses that have made Les Trappistes 

 famous in domestic wines. 



The nurseries and orchards are also a 

 large source ot revenue. The Flemish 

 Beauty pear grows with them to the highest 

 perfection. 



The rules of the order of La Trappe Monks 

 are very strict and only male visitors are 

 admitted into the monastery. The Monks 

 are compelled to rise at 2 a. m. for prayer 

 and meditation. One meal a day only, as a 

 rule, is permitted and there is entire abstin- 

 ence from meat, fish, eggs or butter ; a spare 

 quantity of bread, vegetables and milk only 

 being allowed. It is most interesting to 

 watch the Monks in the field performing 

 their silent labor; everything is done by rule 

 and whatever the occupation, it must be sus- 

 pended when the bell sounds for the religious 

 exercises. 



Besides the forty monks or so that labor 

 in the fields from five to six hours each day, 

 there are employed about thirty regular 

 farm hands who carry on the work that 

 makes this farm a pattern for all and a 

 source of profit to the owners. 



A plant distribution of two plums (import- 

 ed), one peony, and one rose will be given 

 to each member in the spring of 1902, to- 

 gether with the annual report. 



Mr. T. L. Kenney, South Hero, Vt., Prof. 

 Waugh and Prof. McCoun addressed the 

 meeting and helped along the various dis- 

 cussions in an able manner. 



The Association is to hold its next summer 

 meeting at Aylmer, Quebec. 



Maitland. Harold Jones. 



