22 JOUKNAL OF THE KOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of American Apples and French and Spanish fruits would thus be 

 raised." 



So far as I am concerned, I do not see why that trade should not 

 be strangled. These shippers ought to do something for the up-keep of 

 this nation — our Army, Navy, and Civil Service. 



The President : And the Royal Horticultural Society ! 



Mr. Bunyard : I think something ought to be done, and the time has 

 come when the home grower should be considered. People talk about 

 agriculture as if it were an old and worn-out industry. It is really still 

 the largest industry in this country. I fear it is the worst treated, and it 

 suffers by the importation of fruit pulp from Belgium. Why should that 

 not pay duty ? We have to pay duty on sugar. As to the best com- 

 mercial varieties, I agree with a great deal that Mr. Cheal has said, and 

 have omitted several varieties from my list. It is impossible to make 

 out a list to suit all places. Every grower ought to have a trial 

 plantation of half an acre. He should test every sort that comes up and 

 then use his own judgment. 



The question was asked : If, in grafting on Paradise or Quince 

 stock, the junction was 6 inches above the ground, what should be done ? 



Mr. Bunyard : In that case earth it up. 



Mr. Cheal : I was glad to hear the point alluded to of the great 

 injury which might be inflicted upon us by our careless neighbours. 

 The Government might help us in the matter. I do not like to ask for 

 Government interference, but a sympathetic Government should help us 

 very much as is the case in Canada. In Canada the Department sent an 

 inspector to the principal fruit-growing districts, and his business was to 

 see that certain conditions were carried out. Help sympathetically given 

 is very useful indeed. Therefore we need not be afraid of the help the 

 Government might give us in that direction. 



Question : Is it not a fact that in Canada imprisonment is the penalty 

 for people who do not spray their trees ? 



Mr. Cheal : Up to three months in America. 



The President : We have all derived much information from the 

 Conference, and from the very interesting papers which have been read 

 and discussed. The subject of "Insect Pests" is going to be dealt with 

 specifically to-morrow by very competent persons, who are giving all their 

 time and attention to the subject. As to the question of a 5 per cent, 

 duty, if you could persuade the electorate to impose it it might be a use- 

 ful thing. But I think, with intelligence and observation we shall not 

 do badly. I am delighted to hear that it is no longer in some countries 

 legal to " top " fruit. I hope it may become so here. We have derived 

 much advantage from listening to competent authorities to-day on several 

 matters. The Government might do a great deal more, but unless you 

 are always pegging away they will do nothing for you. 



Question : In view of a possible export trade in fruit, what country 

 would receive our fruit without its paying a heavy protective duty ? 



Mr. Bunyard : South America, I believe. 



The Conference then adjourned till the following day. 



