150 



substantia;! support of the Government in order to carry them out. Now, I look upon 

 this movement as the most important movement that has ever been taken in Canada 

 in the interests of fruit culture, and I now consider that the establishment of this new 

 society is of even greater importance. It opens a very broad field of usefulness, and I 

 say in the future the members of this society will have a noble work before them, 

 and 1 feel that it is an honour to anybody to be connected with the promotion of that 

 work. I have felt, as I have presided over this meeting during the three days we 

 have been in deliberation, that it was certainly an honour to preside over the dis- 

 cussions of so eminently intelligent a body of men as we have here now. With 

 reference to the new society, I may say that much against my own wishes the com- 

 mittee of organization saw fit to urge upon me the acceptance of the Presidency of 

 this Association for the coming year. Pei-sonal considerations would have induced 

 me to absolutelj' decline that, but I have always held that where a man can be of any 

 small use in promoting the general welfare it is his duty to do so, even if it be by 

 sacrificing his own personal convenience, and it was in that spirit that I finally con- 

 sented to accept the office, which was thus most kindly presented me. 1 may say 

 that I consider this office given to me is one of very great honour, and it will be my 

 duty or my endeavour during the coming year to do the best I can, in my own small 

 way, to promote the very large interests which are entrusted to me as President of 

 this new society. (Loud applause). 



Mr. Starratt. — Coming here 1,100 miles from a lower Province, a stranger 

 amongst strangers, I came to this Convention, and lam gladtosay thati have enjoyed 

 myself very much listening to the papers that have been read and the discussions 

 which followed by the gentlemen here assembled. I go away with very good feel- 

 ing towards the gentlemen I have met here, and towards the association engaged in 

 this grand work. This is a great and growing industry. It is particularly so in the 

 Annapolis valley. The day is not far distant when the Annapolis valley to Digby 

 will be one vast orchard. People are awakening to the situation and are looking 

 forward to the possibilities. I thank you all gentlemen for the thoroughly courteous 

 manner and warm consideration which you have extended to myself and my 

 colleague, and I hope to meet you all at another convention. 



Mr. Peters. — 1 cannot allow this session to close without expressing to you, 

 gentlemen, the very great satisfaction which I have felt in meeting with you. 

 Coming from a distant Province — a Province which used to be considered very 

 distant until the short line was constructed — a perfect stranger to all men who have 

 been connected with this association, I may say that I have felt very much at home 

 here, for a day or so. I thank those with whom I have associated for the cordial 

 reception they have given me and the courteous treatment they have accorded me, 

 and I shall carry home nothing but the most kindly feelings. 



The usual vote of thanks was tendered to the Press, and the Convention 

 adjourned. 



APPENDIX. 



Prizes Awarded at Dominion Convention of Fruit-G-rowers held at Ottawa on 

 19th, 20th and 2 1st February, 1890. 



Judges. — O. B. Hadwen, Worcester, Mass ; S. D. Willard, Geneva, N. Y. 



Section 1 — Seedlings. 



Winter Dessert Apples — 5 Specimens. 



Ist. Smith & Kiernan, St. Catharines, Out $10 



2nd. Thomas Beall, Lindsay, Out 5 



-3rd. J. Croil, Aultsville, Out 3 



