107 



We are all anxious to make money, but I can give you figures to show you that 

 there is a reasonable profit in competing in the markets of the world. California 

 fruit comes into Detroit, but we knock them out in flavour. Another question is, 

 when we are asking that the duty be re-imposed on fruil are we voicing the wishes 

 of the people — a majority of the people — of Ontario ? We are voicing the desire 

 of the fruit-growers, but we are a small number compared with the people at large. 

 We have the best climate on earth, and I think we ought to be able to raise our fruit 

 as cheaply as we raise anything else. I only ask to haVe this thing rest for one 

 year, and then we will be better able to tell how it should be decided. This thing 

 has only been tried for one year, and I think it would be wise to leuve it for a year 

 longer, and if then the present system is found to be working to our disadvantage, I 

 am quite willing to support these gentlemen from eastern Ontario. I want to work 

 for the general interests of us all. Let uslook at this thing in a broad light. 



On being put to the meeting, the amendment proposed by Mr. Clinton was 

 carried by a majority of one. 



The President. — We may consider this question postponed for a year. I think 

 this is a very wise decision as there are questions of very grave importance involved, 

 and I hope we will do nothing we may be sorry for. I think it will be one of the worst 

 things we can do, just at the opening of this convention and at the organization of 

 our society. It is a wise thing to leave the matter open for next year and then give 

 it the time which it demands for consideration. We will now proceed with the work 

 of this morning. We have among us the Honourable Mr. Joly, from Quebec, who 

 will read a paper on "An Easy Mode of Procuring Forest Trees for Planting." 



Hon. n. G. Jolt then read his paper as follows : — 



East Method for Procuring Good Forest Trees for Planting. 



This paper deals with such elementary matters, with which practical men are so 

 familiar that it may appear out of place in a meeting of this kind. However, I 

 know from my own experience in tree culture how difEicult It is to obtain the kind of 

 information which would be most welcome to beginners, and I will address myself 

 principally to those who are inclined to join in the useful work you have undertaken, 

 and who may be glad to receive a little help in their first attempts. 



There is no greater waste of time and money than planting trees that do not 

 grow. Apart from neglect of proper care in planting, the want of success may be 

 attributed either to unfitness of the soil for the kind of tree planted or to planting 

 at the wrong time, or to the defective state of the tree planted. I will only deal 

 with this last point to-day. 



Good trees for planting may be obtained from the nurserymen at remarkablj^ 

 low rates. But the farmer may live at a great distance from the nursery, means of 

 communication may be dififtcult, liable to interruption, trees may be delayed on the 

 way from the nursery, suffer damages, reach the farmer at an unpropitious time for 

 planting, and however small their cost and that of the freight, it may deter those 

 who have never before planted trees from making the experiment, or cause them to 

 put it off year after year, and finally give it up. 



Any farmer may have on his own farm, at his door, a good nursery of forest trees, 

 which will cost him nothing, will not fail and will be available at a moment's notice, 

 by sowing in a corner of his garden the seeds of the forest trees he proposes to grow. 



Growing forest trees from seed is generally considered as a slow process ; people 

 think that it will save time to go to the neighbouring woods and dig up good-sized 

 trees. Those who have tried it will remember how difficult it is to find in the forest 

 good,' well-shaped young trees ; how long it takes to dig them up, how much care and , 

 patience it requires, as their roots are mixed up with those of neighbouring trees or 

 run under stones or fallen timber, and how often those trees, taken up with so much 

 labour, are not worth the trouble of planting. But after so much time and work 

 spent on them it would he a pity not to give them a chance ; so they are planted. A 

 great many will fail, as the roots are ruined, they Will all suffer by the sudden change 



