Charles Gibb. 183 



Charles G-ibb, B. A. 



Mr. Charles Gibb, son of the late James Duncan Gibb, 

 was born in Montreal on the 29th of July, 1845. His early 

 education was received at the Bishop's College Grammar 

 School, from which he proceeded to McGill University, 

 where he graduated in 1865. The hai*d work of a college 

 course told somewhat severely upon a not very rugged 

 constitution, with the result of impaired eyesight. For 

 the purpose of recovering his health he then visited 

 Europe, where he spent six months, retuiming very much 

 benefited by the change. Natural weakness of the lungs, 

 however, induced him to seek some active occupation which 

 would give the benefit of open-air employment. This led 

 to his spending several years with some of the more pro- 

 minent fruit culturists of New York and New Jersey, from 

 whom he gained a practical insight into the most approved 

 methods of fruit culture. It was this experience which 

 soon aroused a decided taste for horticulture, and eventually 

 led to his adoption of that pursuit into which he threw 

 so much energy and enthusiasm. Fortunately for himself 

 and for the country whose good he sought to promote, Mr. 

 Gibb was possessed of means sufficient to enable him to 

 execute his plans without undue restriction, and future 

 generations will have reason to hold in respect the name of 

 one who, in so unselfish a spirit, endeavored to promote 

 the welfare of his country in one of the most useful direc- 

 tions possible. 



On his return from the States in 1872, he sought for a 

 locality where he might pursue special studies in fruit cul- 

 ture and arboriculture, and eventually selected the warm, 

 western slope of Yamaska mountain at Abbotsford, as fully 

 meeting his requirements. In 1873 he purchased a large 

 tract of land there, planted extensive orchards, established 

 testing grounds for exotic ti'ees and shrubs which might 

 prove of value in Canada, and stimulated a local interest in 

 his chosen pursuit, hitherto unknown in that part of Quebec- 

 Here he established a delightful home, the door of which 



