LECT. i ADVANTAGES OF ALLOTMENTS 21 



are remarkable for their uniform excellence through- 

 out. 



When high cultivation has been pursued and more 

 profitable crops grown, such as high-class fruit, early 

 and superior vegetables, and even flowers, the value 

 of land has been materially increased and higher 

 rentals easily obtained at the expiration of tenancies. 

 Cultivators have found their work remunerative, 

 and landowners have profited correspondingly. 



It was once thought by pessimists that our climate 

 and soil were fatal to the growth of such hardy fruit 

 as that which flooded our markets from abroad, and 

 that in future we should be dependent on those 

 supplies ; but when great international shows of fruit 

 have been held at which the best of the world's pro- 

 duce was brought together, home-grown apples and 

 pears and plums, taking them in the bulk, have 

 borne the palm for excellence. 



To the Royal Horticultural Society belongs the 

 credit of arousing public interest in apple culture by 

 collecting 10,000 dishes of fruit in 1,000 varieties 

 from various parts of the country in 1883. Subse- 

 quently the Society gave a great stimulus to pear 

 culture in the same way. These great gatherings, 

 and the lectures and discussions in connection with 

 them, caused many trees to be planted which are now 

 in bearing. 



In 1888 another great conference was held, to 

 which cultivators were invited to send the best 

 samples of the most useful varieties of apples and 

 pears. The display was remarkable, and the fruits a 

 credit to the nation. 



In 1889 an ancient City guild The Worshipful 

 Company of Fruiterers took a more active part 

 than hitherto in advancing the movement, and, in 

 order to obtain the best information they could for 



