92 The Ottawa Naturalist. [July 



the j.resence of His Excellency the Governor General, who, he 

 need not remind the audience, was Patron of the Field-Natural- 

 ists' Club. This was the third lecture of the present course that 

 His Excellency had attended, and the Club was particularly 

 gratified by the interest that he was showing in the work of the 

 society. His Excellency had not only a general interest in all 

 the important industries of Canada, bnt a particular one in fruit 

 culture and its possibilities in the Dominion. It was well known 

 that His Excellency was an extensive fruit grower in British 

 Columbia, and he (the President) felt sure that those assembled 

 would be very much pleased if His Excellency would address 

 them on the subject that they had had brought before them this 

 evening. 



The Governor General, then, rising amid applause, spoke 

 as follows : 



It is not surprising that the lecture af this evening has been 

 followed with much and attention, for the subject treated is one 

 of much importance, and has been dealt with in a practical and 

 interesting manner. I was struck by the following among other 

 points alluded to, namely, where Mr. Craig spoke of successtul 

 fruit culture in Canada, and of the export of Canadian fruits to 

 Europe furnishing an excellent emigration agency. There can 

 be no doubt at all — and it is well to keep it in view — that a 

 supply of first-class fruit, such as Canada is well capable of pro- 

 ducing, for the markets, for instance, of Great Britain, will 

 always be particularly valuable as representing the resources and 

 capabilities of the soil of this land. Even apart from the busi- 

 ness aspect of the matter, fruit culture has an attraction of its 

 own. It is a branch of botanical science ; and it occupies and 

 requires attention and care of one kind and another throughout 

 the year. I speak to some extent from personal experience, as 

 I may claim to be a Canadian fruit grower (applause), though 

 other duties and avocations render it necessary that I should 

 carry on the work to a large extent by deputy. However, I have 

 at least sufficient practical experience in the matter to make me 



