INTRODUCTION. 



The bringing together of the representatives of the fruit interests of the Dom- 

 inion, and the interest and enthusiasm manifested in the proceedings of the Conven-» 

 tion, cannot but be a source of gratification to all concerned. 



In the winter of 1887-8 the success attending the meeting of the Montreal 

 Horticultural Society and Fruit Growers' Association of the Province of Quebec, held 

 in the city of Quebec, led the President of the Association, Prof. Penhallow, to 

 suggest the desirability of bringing together, at Montreal, representatives of the 

 various Provinces of the Dominion. 



The Provincial Associations were communicated with, and were unanimous in 

 their favour of the project. Application was made to the Dominion Government for 

 a grant in aid of the work contemplated, and Messrs. Charles Gibb, A. McD. Allan, 

 L. Woolverton and 0. R. H. Starr took an active part in endeavouring to advance 

 the project, but from various causes the work was not suflSciently advanced to 

 convene the meeting during the winter of 1889. 



The following summer further efforts were made, and the application for a 

 grant received the favourable consideration of the Hon. Mr. Oarling and his 

 colleagues, an appropriation being passed granting to the Honourable the Minister 

 of Agriculture the sum of |2,000 " to aid in the development of the fruit industry in 

 Canada." 



Under the conditions of the grant it was found necessary to hold the Conven- 

 tion at Ottawa, and the organization of the meeting was, by a vote of the Provincial 

 Associations, placed in the hands of the Montreal Society. 



A committee, consisting of Prof. D. P. Penhallow, President; Messrs. E. W. 

 Shepherd, jr., R. Brodie, A. Joyce, Eev. E. Hamilton and W. W. Dunlop, Secretary, 

 wai appointed, with Prof. W. Saunders and Mr. P. E. Bucke, of Ottawa, as local 

 members. 



The committee was greatly aided in its work by the hearty co-operation of 

 the various associations, and by the valuable assistance rendered by Prof. Saunders, 

 Director of the Experimental Farms, and others. 



W. W. DUNLOP, 



Secretary. 



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