succeBsfully made as to the kinds best adapted to our climate ; the modes of trans- 

 portation to distant countries have occupied the thoughts of the society, so that now 

 our finest apples may be placed in the markets of Great Britain with their bloom 

 and flavour almost wholly unimpaired. The ravages of insects and other pests, and 

 the means by which they can be best counteracted, have been made the subject 

 of careful research, and the labour has not been in vain. So the work has been pros- 

 ecuted with interest, fidelity and success. " This society was also one of the most 

 active promoters of the Dominion Fruit Exhibit at the Indian and Colonial Exhibi- 

 tion in 1885. 



Turning our attention to interests nearer our own immediate locality, we find 

 in the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association a society of widely extended influence and 

 importance, having in its keeping the fruit interests of one of the most highly 

 favoured pomological districts in America. Its work has been of such a varied and 

 important character that justice cannot be done to it in the brief space to be spared in 

 an address of this kind, and only the more salient features can be passed in review. 



The membership is now nearly three thousand. The Provincial Government 

 Las for many years given an annual grant, which has steadily increased, from a 

 minimum of f 500 to a present maximum of $1,800. The association was established 

 about 1860, and since that date has been active in promoting the fruit interests of the 

 Province. Meetings are held at various seasons of the year and in different parts of 

 the Province; annual reports, embodying the proceedings of these meetings, are pub- 

 lished, together with most important contributions to economic entomology. 



In 1870 the society adopted the plan of disliributing new varieties of fruits to 

 various growers, for purposes of testing, a condition being that an annual report of 

 the results obtained, should be submitted to the society for a period of five years. 

 This plan is still in operation, and under it the sum of $500 has been annually 

 expended. The society holds no regular exhibitions, but it offers such special prizes 

 as seem to be demanded from time to time. 



In 1878 the Canadian Horticulturist was issued, under the patronage and by 

 the aid of this association. It is the best exponent of Canadian horticulture extant, 

 and is doing a most useful work. 



In 1870 the President, Eev. E. Burnet, suggested that geological conditions 

 should be taken into consideration as influencing the success or failure of orchards. He 

 also suggested that there should be special encouragement given to exportation, and 

 that more intimate inter-communication should be established with other societies at 

 home and abroad. In 1878 he again suggested that efforts should be made to extend 

 fruit culture in Manitoba and the aSTorth-West. 



In 1883 President Saunders directed attention to the great desirability of secur- 

 ing fruits of a hardy natui e from similar climates in various parts of the old world. 

 As you are al 1 well aware, this suggestion was acted upon the following year by Mr. 

 Charles Gibb, the results of whose labours in Eussia and other parts of Europe have 

 been of the greatest value. 



The society has been directly responsible for extensive improvements in and 

 the extension of fruit culture throughout Ontario, as well as in the promotion of 

 forestry interests. It includes among its members, originators of valuable new 

 varieties of fruits and vegetables, in which connection the names of Saunders, Arnold, 

 Haskins, Mills and others are most favourably known. 



Through this society legislation favourable to the fi'uit industry of the entire 

 country has been promoted, and it took the leading part in securing the fruit display 

 at the Indian and Colonial Exhibition. 



The Montreal Horticultural Society was incorporated in 1S49. In 1878 the 

 society was re-organized, under an amended charter, as the Montreal Horticultural 

 Society and Fruit Growers' Association of the Province of Quebec. For many years 

 no active work was undertaken, but in 1876 the first annual report was issued. 

 These publications have beep oonf'rued -p to tbe pi'esent time, and constitute a 

 complete record of the fruit mlture ir tbe Prcinc*', Pirbraoins: papers of the^great- 

 est horticultural value. 



