84 



A heavy dressing of wood ashes (which may be procured in many pai'ts of 

 Canada at a very low price) or of kainit or other form of potash is, therefore, to be 

 recommended for orchards. 



The value of the leaves composted — a process to be advised as more economical 

 than burning — is also well established by the data afforded by this work. 



E. Brodie. — I agree with the gentleman that potash is the best fertilizer for 

 apple tj-ees. I found that ashes have done the best. We find many of our farme:s 

 selling their ashes to enrich the farms of their friends of the neighbouring Eepublic. 

 In this enlightened time we should not find the farmers doing what their forefathers 

 in 1804 — those who lived along the St. Lawrence — refused to do. 



Mr. WooLVERTON. — I agree with Mr. Brodie and the writer of the paper in regard 

 to the use of ashes as a fertilizer. In my orchard I used them extensively, ami in 

 the winter time when I am not employed I employ teams the whole season collecting 

 ashes for my apple orchard. Indeed, I had almost become discouraged of ever obtain- 

 ing a sufficient supply of fertilizers for the orchard without great expense until I found 

 out the value of wood ashes. I found the results exceedingly satisfactory. I am very 

 glad that Prof Shutt has given us tliis valuable paper on the analysis of the apple 

 leaves, and we will value it very much in our report as a paper to be referred to. We 

 will be very glad on some future occasion to get from this gentleman an analysis of 

 the apple itself which we can rely upon, because it is sure to be useful to us. 



Prof Shutt.- -I intended to say a few words upon that. I only had time this 

 year to make an analysis of the leaves. "We shall eventually analyse the whole tree. 

 I fully appreciate what Mr. "Woolverton says, viz. : that it is necessary to obtain the 

 analysis of the apple and of the whole tree before we can begin to make any very 

 definite and decisive deductions as to the best fertilizers for orchards. 



Mr. Pettit moved the following resolution seconded by Mr. Henry : " That the 

 Dominion Government be petitioned to re-impose the duty on fruits imported from 

 the United States." 



In support of the- resolution Mr. Pettit said : "We must all acknowledge that 

 the policy of the present Government of the Dominion is a policy of protection, and 

 why the fruit interests of this country have been left unprotected it is a difficult 

 matter to say. Living as we do in so close connection with our friends across the 

 river, in a climate much warmer than ours, they take advantage of the markets of 

 the Dominion to the detriment of the fruit growers of this Dominion. I think it is 

 a subject, now that we have met here together as fruit growers from all parts of the 

 Dominion upon which we should express our feelings, and ask our Government to 

 place these duties the way they were before. I think if one branch of industry in 

 this Dominion needs the fostering care and protection of the Government all 

 branches should receive the same care, and I think in this respect we can fairly and 

 properly ask our Government to place the fruit-growers of this Dominion in the 

 same position as other branches of industry enjoy. I beg to move the resolution 

 which I have just read. 



Mr. Henry. — In British Columbia we feel the need of this very much. "We are 

 just beginning to get started in growing small fruits. Previous to this the inhabitants 

 of British Columbia have had to get their supply from California, and wo are be- 

 ginning now to grow sufficient of these perishable fruits to supply the people there. 

 If we cannot compete with California and Oregon as to prices, the trouble is they 

 have got so far advanced in the industry that their fruit comes into the market about 

 two weeks earlier than ours ; consequently, they have the advantage of their own 

 market, and after that they supply our market, and it meets the first fruit which wo 

 grow and brings down the prices, and this is very much against us. We consider if 

 there should be a duty on foreign fruit, evaporated and canned fruit, we should be 

 protected in fresh fruits. 



The Chairman. I understand that it is the desire of the mover of this motion 

 that if this motion be adopted and the committee appointed they shall interview the 

 Minister of Customs to-morrow. 



