propei-ly so) the role of the merchant or manufacturer to a very large extent. 

 Assuming, then, these premises to be correct, the firbt thing that naturally_ woujd 

 force itself on his attention would be the package in which to market his fruit. 

 For size and convenience of handling there is perhaps no superior to the standard 

 apple barrel; it is strong, will stand rough handling, and is not expensive, and 

 presents, when new, a rather neat appearance. 



Packing will now be next in order, and just then is the time when the owner 

 should recall to his mind that most beautiful bible admonition, " Do unto others as 

 ye would have them do unto you," and if acting upon its teaching, I venture the 

 assertion that we should not hear any complaints of deceptive, or, if you please, 

 dishonest packing. It is my judgment that no orchai-dist can afford to pack his fruit 

 deceptively, and if any portion of the barrel is to be a little better than the other, 

 let it be those in the centre. Having done this he is not afraid or ashamed to place 

 his name upon the barrels, with the grade of apple and kind it contains. In 

 doing so he feels every inch a man, sti'engthened by the approval of conscience to 

 battle for the right, and making for himself a reputation in his business, which will 

 go far to secure financial success, and giving to Canada a status in the foreign fruit 

 markets of the world which will insure the ready sale of our products at the 

 highest quotations. Our interests are too great, our reputation for fair and honour- 

 able dealing too sacred and important ; to permit a package of Canadian frui1 to be 

 placed upon foreign market which has not been' properly graded and honourably 

 packed. In giving expression to these opinions with reference to foreign markets, 

 permit me to add that the same conditions require to be fulfilled and with quite as 

 much thoughtful care, in grading and packing for our home markets. I sincerely 

 trust that this convention will give its undivided support to this matter. 



In the culture of the plum we have been faii'ly successful, and in addition to 

 other growers, Mr. F. P. Sharp, of Upper Woodstock, has a very fine orchard of some 

 three aci-es in extent, and grows from 4,000 to 6,000 boxes, containing one peck each, 

 per year. These are shipped to our leading provincial markets in considerable 

 quantities, while many of them find their way to the cities of Portland and Boston. 



Mr. Sharp's method of culture has been generally adopted in this Province by 

 plum growers, which may be briefly described by saying that he is an advocate of 

 close planting and high culture, and laying down his trees in the autumn. 



His culture is confined xo three or four leading varieties, prominent among 

 which is the Mooer's Arctic, a very hardy plum, with fruit of good size, and commands 

 a good price in the market. Orchardists in other sections of the province, parti- 

 cularly along the valley of the St. John and its tributaries, meet with fair success in 

 its culture also, by adopting Mr. Sharp's method ; while a few succeed well by allow- 

 ing the trees to remain without disturbance E^nd in an upright condition during the 

 winter. 



Pears are not extensively cultivated., A few trees, however, are to be fouiid 

 in some of our best orchards, which have largely been planted as an experiment. 



I have been quite successful in growing the 'Flemish Beauty,' ' Clapp's 

 Favourite' and 'Bartlett.' I have some three other varieties, but the trees have not 

 yet fruited. The two first varieties come to great perfection, and are exceedingly 

 fine in flavour. 



Our small-fruit culture is quite an important industry with us, and consists of 

 the cultivation of the "Strawberry," "Easpberry," "Gooseberry," "Currant" and 

 "Blackberry." In my reference to these small fruits and their culture in New 

 Brunswick, permit me to say that the name of D. P. "Wetmore, Esq., of Clifton, 

 deserves especial mention as being the pioneer in their cultivation. His extensive 

 fruit gardens are the subject of very general admiration, and at cert;ain seasons of the 

 year present a scene of great beauty and activity. I may be pardoned from further 

 personal reference to growers, as the limits of this paper would not admit of it. I 

 may say, however, that -we have a goodly number of gentlemen engaged in the 

 business of producing small fruits for our markets, and who find it both pleasant and 

 profitable. 



