10 



At the time of reorganization the Secretary explained the reason for a change 

 of name in the following terms: — 



"Strong efforts having been put forth within the last three or four years to 

 quicken the interest in fruit-growing in this Province, it was thought that the name 

 chosen for the new association should be explanatory of the work the society has 

 in view. For this reason the name chosen was that of the Montreal Horticultural 

 Society and Fi-uit Growers' Association of the Province of Quebec. In purely horti- 

 cultural matters the influence of the society will be mainly felt in and near this city, 

 but in matters relating to fruit growing it is hoped that it will exert a usefal and 

 powerful influence throughout the whole Province." 



The hopes then entertained as to the future usefulness of this society have been 

 realized in the work of subsequent years. Meetings have been held in various parts 

 of the Province for the discussion of questions bearing upon fruit culture, and the 

 present meeting may be properly regarded as a legitimate and natural result of the 

 policy adopted. 



The Local Government has, for some years, given an annual grant of $1,000,. by 

 aid of which the society has, for many years, held annual exhibitions at Montreal, 

 which, for extent of display and character of the special exhibits, have been unsur- 

 passed by any similar exhibitions in Canada. The annual prize list amounts to 

 about $1,400, of which about S'TOO are given for flowers, the balance for fruits and 

 vegetables. The present membership numbers about 600. 



Five local societies for the promotion of fruit culture, viz. : Abbotsford, Brome, 

 Shefford, Missisquoi and LTslet, are' operated under the patronage of this associa- 

 tion, and practically constitute as many local divisions of it. 



Much valuable work has been accomplished in the introduction and testing of 

 new varieties ; the introduction of Eussian fruits ; the introduction of valuable 

 ornamental and forest trees, and in the diffusion of general information. The society 

 also took an active part in the formation of the exhibit of fruits for the Indian and 

 Colonial Exhibition. 



It thus appears that, aside from their purely local functions, these organizations 

 have all accomplished a large amount of most useful work in the direction of 

 promoting the general welfare of the country, and I have deemed it of importance, 

 at this time, to call your attention to these facts, not only because they directly bear 

 upon the objects of this convention, but also because they are most suggestive of 

 work which can now be undertaken in the most thorough manner, and to the 

 execution of which the highest authority will give its sanction. 



The work we are now called upon to perform is of an important character, and, 

 although I cannot attempt to give an outline of all those subjects to be presented 

 for your consideration, yet there are a few which, from their relation to the larger 

 questions of export and import, I feel should be brought to your notice in a some- 

 what conspicuous mannei'. 



Government statistics show that the value of exports and imports of fresh fruits 

 from 1883 to 1888 inclusive, may be stated as follows : — 



Export. Import. 



1883 $499,185 $814,544 



1884 173,048 '7'78,446 



1885 635,240 693,169 



1886 499,598 681,740 



1887 871,188 797,581 



1888 857,995 780,269 



From this it appears that the volume of imported fruits nearly equals the 

 export, and in some years has been more than four times the amount. An allow- 

 ance should be made, however, for those fruits which, like lemons and oranges, 

 cannot be grown here, but which are consumed in large quantities. It is apparent 

 nevertheless, that while the Indian and Colonial Exhibition did much good in the 



