FRUIT CULTURE DURING QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. 353 



papers read at the meetings, the 1883 Conference served as a 

 landmark and starting-point for much good work in London and 

 the provinces. The great Guildhall Show of the Fruiterers' 

 Company, held as it was in the heart of the City, served to con- 

 vince Londoners that grand fruit was and could be grown in this 

 country. The great fruit Shows formerly held by the Crystal 

 Palace Company accurately gauged the rate of progress, and the 

 Royal Horticultural Society, having taken over these Shows, have 

 in 1894, 1895, 189G, and 1897 brought together such collections 

 of autumnal fruits as have never before been seen. It is satis- 

 factory to find new exhibitors coming to the front yearly from 

 all parts of the kingdom. Fruit Conferences have also been 

 held at Chester, Pershore, Worcester, Exeter, and other centres. 



It would be out of place here to allude to the enormous 

 increase in the growth of fruit for market purposes and for pre- 

 serving ; but I mention it only to impress the fact that success 

 can be secured only by following the principles and practice of 

 horticulture ; in short, bringing gardening methods to bear on 

 farm fruit culture. The annual tables of the Board of Trade 

 show an enormous yearly increase in land laid down to fruit, and 

 where this is well done it becomes a paying industry. 



Considerable importance also attaches to the commercial 

 activity of the fruit-tree nurserymen of the present and past 

 times. The desire to excel in friendly competition in fruit 

 exhibitions, the placing before the public examples grown with 

 skill and care, the introduction of novelties, and the carefully 

 prepared catalogues of the trade have, I believe, been beneficial 

 factors in the general advance made in fruit culture, tending to 

 popularise the growth of all kinds for pleasure, profit, or, as a 

 hobby, to the enormous advantage of the public in the matter of 

 health and sobriety. In fact, I would go even further, feeling 

 convinced in this particular matter that a great measure of the 

 improved health of the large towns is to be traced to the cheap 

 supplies of fruit and vegetables placed within their reach by 

 the commercial energy of the growers and distributors ; and 

 still further benefit is to be expected in the future as a result of 

 the practical lectures now being given by County Council 

 experts in fruit districts among the intelligent labouring 

 classes. 



Among the practical gardeners of the early years of the era 



