34 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



unconsciously preparing himself for the requirements of his present posi- 

 tion. In May, 1863, he published in the Canadian journal a list of 545 

 named species of plants which he had collected and identified in Western 

 Ontario. In the same year, he took an active part in the formation of the 

 Entomological Society of Ontario, then of Canada, a society in which he 

 has been an arduous worker, as his many papers, both in its annual report 

 and its monthly journal clearly testify. The Canadian Entomologist was 

 first published in the year 1868, and in 1875 Mr. Saunders was appointed 

 editor of it, and continued to write voluminously for its pages. Ten years later, 

 our own journal. The Canadian Horticulturist, was first published, its pro- 

 moters catching the idea, no doubt, from its sister publication. 



In 1867, he was elected one of the directors of the Ontario Fruit Growers' 

 Association, and took a very active interest in its prosp)erity. Catching the 

 spirit of the discussions, he planted largely of fruit and ornamental stock, both 

 for profit and experiment, in the neighbonhood of London, and thus was able to 

 speak from practical acquaintance upon the subject of horticulture. 



' It seemed to be universally recognized that Prof. Saunders was by nature 

 suited to lead, for in 1875 ^^ ^^^s made President of the Entomological Society; 

 in 1877, President of the American Pharmaceutical Association ; in 1882, of the 

 Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario; and in 1885, Director of the Experi- 

 mental Farms of the Dominion of Canada. 



It does not here concern us to speak of his work as a member of the 

 American Association for the Advancement of Science, as Fellow of the Royal 

 Microscopical Society of London, as Public Analyst of Western Ontario, or as 

 Professor of Materia Medica in the Western University, at London, Ont. It 

 more particularly concerns us to note that it was on the 19th of September, 

 1882, at an annual meeting of our Association, held in Kingston, that he was 

 made President of our Association, a position he filled until September, 1885, 

 when he was called to his present oflfice. 



His able addresses, during that period, are found in our Reports of those 

 years, and are still fresh in our memories, as also is the record of his work in 

 preparing the collection of tender fruits, in a preservative fluid, for the Colonial 

 and Indian Exhibition, which reflected so much credit upon our country, and 

 drew the attention to it of so many intending settlers. 



It is not surprising, then, that when the Minister of Agriculture was looking 

 for a man qualified to organize and conduct an experimental farm, that Prof. 

 Wm. Saunders should have been selected; and we, as fruit-growers, regard his 

 appointment as a subject for much congratulation, believing, that in course of 

 time, his experimental work in the line of Horticulture will do much toward 

 advancing the interests of our favorite industry. 



