CONFERENCE ON FRUIT GROW I N < ! . 



99 



to 1 degree above freezing — a rise of 10 degrees — and the fruit was 

 entirely saved from the frost that night at a cost of 30s. The greatest 

 damage to fruit this year has not been so ■ much from frost as cold 

 winds. 



Mr. Pickering : Would it be due to the smoke created by the lamps ? 



Mr. Martin : No, owing to the heat alone. A current of warm air 

 was created between the trees. 



The Chairman : From all we have heard there is ample room for 

 careful experiment. I think the commercial growers here are quite able 

 to make a very good commencement in the way of experiment. I hope, 

 and devoutly wish too, to see a sub-department of the Board of Agriculture 

 created in order to further this particular industry. Mr. Getting has 

 asked why fruit culture is to have any advantage over agriculture. 

 Agriculture has arrived at a much more advanced stage of knowledge, 

 whereas fruit culture is still in its infancy, and there is not so much 

 money in these days in the agricultural world for the purpose of experi- 

 ment as there used to be some sixty years ago. 



In conclusion, I am sure we shall all wish to congratulate the Royal 

 Horticultural Society on the excellent Conference we have had during the 

 last three days, and to thank the officials of the Society for the very 

 excellent arrangements they have made — which, of course, is one of the 

 secrets of the success of the Conference. 



A hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman, proposed by Mr. Bunyard, 

 was carried, and the Conference ended. 



