NATIONAL COUNCIL OF HORTICULTURE 67 



farms, now seven in number, work upon which was begun over twenty 

 years ago, have played an important part in developing Canadian horti- 

 culture. There are the Provincial agricultural colleges, of which 

 there are four, with their experiment stations which disseminate infor- 

 mation both through the students who are trained, and by literature. 

 The Provincial experiment stations and model orchards which in all 

 are between fifty and sixty in number, are also doing much to demon- 

 strate the possibilities of fruit culture in their several districts. Seven 

 Provincial fruit growers' associations lend their aid in spreading a 

 knowledge of the best methods of fruit culture and of uniting the 

 growers for purposes of co-operation and legislation. The horticul- 

 tural literature of Canada, although represented by few papers has 

 done much to aid fruit, flower and. vegetable growers. 



The farmers' institutes and orchard meetings organized by the 

 Provincial governments and assisted by the Dominion government are 

 very practical and helpful. The horticultural societies assisted by the 

 Provincial governments, of which there are about fifty in the province 

 of Ontario, are doing splendid work in awakening a greater interest in 

 horticulture and in spreading information. 



All these factors affecting horticultural conditions and progress in 

 Canada have been made to bear still better fruit by the co-operative 

 movement which has in recent years made such strides in Canada. In 

 the province of Ontario alone there are forty co-operative associa- 

 tions which now have a central organization where plans affecting the 

 welfare of all the associations are discussed. These associations are 

 doing much to make the fruit sold of a more uniform character and to 

 bring better returns to the producer. 



One of the best influences affecting horticultural conditions in 

 Canada is the Fruit Marks Act, passed in 1901, and operative over the 

 whole of Canada. By this Act growers are compelled to pack their 

 fruit according to certain standards and are liable to fine if they do not 

 do so. Inspectors are stationed at packing houses, on the markets and 

 at the ports of export, who examine the fruit and see if it has been 

 packed according to law. A marked improvement has been noticed in 

 the Canadian fruit exported since this law went into effect. There are 

 also standard apple barrels and boxes and baskets for the whole of 

 Canada, all of which make the packages for the different fruits more 

 uniform. It may be said that Canadians are taking advantage of all 

 these influences for good and are adopting the latest and best methods 

 in horticultural practice. 



The development of floriculture in Canada has been rapid. Not- 

 withstanding the more severe winters than those to the south of us, the 

 plant and cut-flower trade has developed wonderfully, the increase in 

 the value of trade being 400 per cent during the past ten years. It has 

 been estimated that the amount of capital invested in greenhouse 

 equipment, stock, etc., is $5,000,000, with an annual value of trade 

 transacted of $2,000,000. This is but a beginning, as Canadians love 

 flowers. 



