The Ontario Fruit Grovrcrs' Association, 



FIFTY years ago fruit growing: as a 

 business was almost unknown in On- 

 tario. The tables of our country 

 were scantily supplied with fruit 

 and a large proprtion of that which was 

 consumed came from the United States. 

 It was generally believed that the cli- 

 mate in most parts of the province 

 was unfavorable for fruit growing. Experi- 

 ence has demonstrated, however, that there 

 is scarcely a place where some kind of fruit 

 can not be produced in perfection and many 

 -ections that were once considered unadapt- 

 d to fruit are producing varieties, espec- 

 ially of apples, that can not be equalled in 

 the whole world. Our tables, at oiie time so 

 'icantily supplied with fruit, which was con- 

 idered a luxury, are now loaded with lus- 

 lous fruits, which have become a necessity, 

 and we are exporting millions of dollars 

 worth every year. Fruit growing has be- 



Mr. A. M. Smith. 



only living member of those who first organized the 

 |'^_ Fruit Growers AsstK'iatiun of Ontario, which will be 

 ,50 ye.irs old next January, 



|:ome one of our most important industries. 

 IVhat has been the most prominent factor 

 In bringing about this great change ? I 

 ?.nswer without fear of contradiction: "The 

 ruit Growers' Association of Ontario." 

 As an account of its origin and some of 

 [jt? early struggles and progress may be of 

 literest to the readers of The Canadian 

 llORTlCULTURlST, who are enjoying the 

 j'fruits" of its labors, I will attempt to 

 live you a brief outline of its history. 



To the late Judge Cambell, of Niagara, 

 Ibd the late Dr. Craigie, of Hamilton, be- 

 l>Dgs the honor of being the originators of 

 Ihe association. A few people in the Niag- 

 ra district, particularly near Niagara, 

 rimsby and Hamilton, were becoming in- 

 rested in fruit growing. The idea occur- 

 1 to these men that an organization among 

 uit growers, followed by meetings at stat- 

 1 periods would be productive of good and 

 imulate the progress of fruit culture 

 troughout the province. They communi- 

 ited their views to the lace Dr. Beadle of 

 t. Catharines, Geo. Leslie, -Sr., of Toron- 

 1, and others, who heartily endorsed them, 

 was finally decided to call a meeting 

 hich was held on the January loth, 1850, 

 I Mechanics' Hall, in the City of Hamilton, 

 le four gentlemen named and fourteen 

 hers being present. It was unanimously 



A. M. Smith, St. Catharines, Ontario 



resolved to form a fruit growers' associa- 

 tion for Upper Canada. The following of- 

 ficers were appointed : Judge Campbell, 

 president; Dr. Hulbert, ist vice-pres. ; Mr. 

 Geo. Leslie, Sr. , 2nd vice-pres.; Mr. Ar- 

 thur Harvey, recording secretary ; Mr. D. 

 J. Humphrey, corresponding secretary ; Mr. 

 Edward Kelley, treasurer. 



Judge Campbell died within a year and 

 was greatly missed by the association, 

 which languished for about two years for 

 the want of their leader. Through the ef- 

 forts of the late Dr. Craigie, of Hamilton, 

 it was called together again on September 

 2ist, i860. Nine members were present. 

 Dr. Hulbert, the vice-president, occupied 

 the chair. After a brief session they ad- 

 journed to October 24th, each member be- 

 ing requested to bring samples of fruit. 

 At this meeting seventeen members were 

 present with quite a display of fruit, and 

 some profitable discussions took place. It 

 was again decided to adjourn to January 

 16, 1861, that being the time appointed for 

 the annual meeting and election of officers. 



At this meeting. Dr. Hulbert delivered an 

 address on "The Culture ot the Grape in 

 Canada." The officers elected were Judge 

 Logie, Hamilton, president; Dr. Hulbert, 

 secretary ; Dr. W. Beadle, treasurer. It was 

 afterwards found inconvenient to have the 

 office of secretary and treasurer separate, 

 and they were both given to Dr. Beadle, 

 which office he held for over twenty-three 

 years. Judge Logie held the office of presi- 

 dent six years, during which time meetings 

 were held two ot three times a year, where 

 fruit was exhibited and discussions upon 

 various points of fruit culture were held 

 and much useful information gained. Com- 

 mittees were appointed to enquire into the 

 condition of fruit culture, varieties grown, 

 and so forth, in different parts of the prov- 

 ince. These meetings were held at Grims- 

 by, Hamilton, Paris, St. Catharines and To- 

 ronto, and resulted in much useful informa- 

 tion being obtained, some of which was pub- 

 lished in 1863 in which report, returns were 

 made by secretaries and committees from 



thirty different counties of Ontario, enum- 

 erating the different fruits successfully 

 grown. 



In 1867, the Society had attained a mem- 

 bership of 30. Judge Logie retired from 

 office and was succeeded by Mr. W. H. Mills 

 of Hamilton. In 1868, the society, largely 

 through his efforts, was incorporated under 

 the Agricultural and Arts Act, under the 

 name of "The Fruit Growers' Association 

 of Ontario," and became entitled to a grant 

 from the govenrment of $350 a year, which 

 enabled it to collect and publish the ex- 

 perience gained by their active worekrs. 

 This was widely distributed and became a 

 great incentive to^ the fruit business. 



From that time the work made rapid pro- 

 gress. The membership increased to over 

 200 the first year. The society became a 

 veritable missionary enterprize. It held its 

 meetings in nearly all of the principal towns 

 and cities in the province^, preaching and 

 teaching fruit growing and horticulture. 

 Every year there was sent to the mem- 

 bers, some tree or plant for them to test 

 and report upon. In this way much valua- 

 ble knowledge in regard to what was adapt- 

 ed to the different parts of the province 

 was obtained. The membership increased 

 in a few years to about 4,000, ahd the as- 

 sociation became the largest horticultural 

 society in America, if not in the world. 



In 1876, the association did more to en- 

 lighten the United States and all the na- 

 tions of the earth, in regard to the climate 

 of Canada and fruit-producing possibili- 

 ties than had ever been done before, by 

 their exhibition of Canadian fruits at the 

 Centennial World's Fair in Philadelphia. 

 Where fruits will grow in profusion, there 

 must be something more than a land of 

 snow and ice as Canada was thought to be 

 by most of our neighbouis at that time. 

 Our exhibit astonished the world. A con- 

 tinuous supply was kept up from early to 

 late fruits, during the season. Visitors 

 could scarcely believe they were grown in 

 the open air in cold Canada. 



(Continued on page 117) 



The Sitnilkatneen Valley 



By the representative of the Canadian Horticulturist, who visited British 

 Columbia in the interests ol Western Fruit Growers and of this 



publication. 



WITH the completion of the Great 

 Northern Railway from Spokane to 

 Vancouver, the fruit districts of the 

 Similkameen Valley will become a centre 

 of activity. While our representative was 

 in British Columbia last fall he heard so 

 much talk, lacking in definite information 

 regarding the Similkameen, that he de- 

 cided to visit the Valley and become per- 

 .sonally acquainted with the possibilities of 

 that section, for fruit growing. 



Until recently the only way to reach 

 Koremeos, which i.s the largest town in the 

 Valley, was by stage. The Groat Northern 

 Railway now have their road completed 

 for a considerable distance past Keremeos, 

 which makes it possible to reach most 

 parts of the Valley, from the east, by "rail 

 from Spokane, Wash., or Midway, B.C. 

 Our representative being at Pintieton, 

 B.C., travelled by stage over the range of 

 mountains' separating the Okanagan and 

 Similkameen Valleys. This route afford- 

 ed a splendid opportunity for seeing the 

 land at closer range than from a car win- 

 dow. 



109 



Unlike some of the other fruit sections 

 in British Columbia, fruit has been grown 

 in the Similkameen for over 30 years, and 

 the results have been everything to be de- 

 sired. The oldest settler in the Keremeos 

 section is Mr. F. Richter, who has lived 

 there for over 44 years. Although the chief 

 occupation of Mr. Richter has been ranch- 

 ing, he has devoted considerable attention 

 to fruit growing around his home. Per- 

 haps the best way to describe Mr. Rich- 

 ter's success would be to quote his own 

 words. He said : "I find that both hardy 

 and tender varieties of fruit thrive here 

 to perfection. This is accounted for by the 

 low altitude and the dry, sunny atmos- 

 phere. This is an irrigation country like 

 most of the best fruit districts in British 

 Columbia. The valley is well watered, 

 however, as the Similkameen River has 

 many tributaries, including the Keremeos 

 and Ashnola, which may be used for irri- 

 gation. The Similkameen and Ashnola Elv- 

 ers will afford a sufficient water supply to 

 irrigate the whole . valley, if it is properly 

 utilized. 



