province in its original state of nature. We have accomplished wonders in this short time, but there are great possibilities yet in store for us in connection with agricultural pursuits. We have reason to be proud of our country for its agricultural resources. We can grow the best samples of grain, and produce the finest specimens of horses and cattle on this continent; we can produce the best apples to be found in the world; our small fruits grow superabundantly in every part of the country. Our men engaged in these pursuits are equal to, if not beyond, the average of energy and enterprise. But what they need is further information and further education, and I submit that that government does not do its duty which does not seek to provide and scatter such information among the people. Therefore you may count upon me, as the head of the Department of Agriculture, being always ready to do as much as I am able in this respect. We have other vast resources in this country. Our timber resources are so enormous as to be almost beyond conception. Our mineral resources are just beginning to be understood, and the attention of the whole world is coming to be directed towards them. While others are engaged in developing those resources, it is your duty and mine to do what we can to promote its agricultural interests. If we do that, I venture to say that our province will continue to occupy in the future, as it has always done in the past, a first place among the states and provinces of this continent. I have one more suggestion to make, and in making it I trust you will not consider me to be intruding upon your own sphere. We are shortly to have a World's Fair in Chicago. I am especially anxious that this province should be properly represented there by displays of all our varied products. To this Association we must look for a proper representation of our fruit products. If we are able to produce the best apples in the world, do not let us be afraid to let the world know it. Sometimes individuals who are unable to provide exhibits themselves, are indisposed to help others to provide them, but the fact that you may not have the fruit required yourself is no reason why you should not help your neighbor to send a proper representation. I think we should sink our personal glory in the glory of the province as a whole, and we can do this most successfully by uniting our efforts. Let all classes of agriculturists stand together. Because I am interested in one branch and you in another, that is no reason why we should disparage the efforts of each other. Each one is directy or indirectly interested in the progress and prosperity of all, and therefore we should help each other in every possible way. I am always proud to be known as a native of the Province of Ontario, which is, so to speak, the oasis of this grand Dominion; and, if its people continue to develop its resources in the future with the same energy and enterprise which they have displayed in the past, I have no fear of its ever falling behind in the race. I thank you, Mr. President. (Applause.)

THE COMMERCIAL FRUIT GROWER'S OUTLOOK.

Mr. D. W. BEADLE (St. Catharines), spoke on this subject as follows: It occurred to me that it might not be unprofitable to deal with a question which is often asked of me, as I have no doubt it is of you, namely, are we going to have a sufficient market in the future for all the fruits this country is likely to produce? Sometimes we have a full crop of fruit, and there appears to be a glut in the market, and then our people, because they do not obtain the prices they expected, become somewhat discouraged. Looking forward, they say to themselves, "These nurserymen are turning out immense quantities of. trees, thousands upon thousands, which are being planted somewhere, and if they produce fruit, as probably a large proportion of them will, what is the outlook for us by-and-by?" Now, I propose to submit to you a few thoughts on this question by way of solution. In the first place, a great many of these trees sold by the nurserymen never affect the fruit market one cent. Many a man sees that his neighbor has succeeded in raising a fine crop of fruit of some particular variety, aad thinks he can do the same, so he buys a lot of trees and plants them out, but he never gets any fruit from them, they come to nothing. Last summer I was riding through that portion of the Niagara

district which lies on the borders of the Niagara river and lake Ontario, which is supposed to be, and doubtless is, the finest peach belt in the province. But I saw there many thousands of peach trees which had been planted in the last year or two, but which I know will never yield a crop. Why? Just for the reason that the people who planted them did not avail themselves of the knowledge they might have had, because if they had made a little enquiry, they would have learned that the soil was wholly unsuited to the growth of peach trees. It was flat, low, wet and cold, and the money and patience spent upon it would be wholly lost, and the crop which those gentlemen would reap from it would be a bitter crop of disappointment. I mention this as an illustration. Not only peach trees, but apple trees, pear trees and plum trees are planted by men who have neither the judgment, the skill nor the taste needed for success, and thousands of fruit trees of all kinds planted by them, will never produce a crop for the market. That is one of the negative sides. Then, many men turn to planting fruit trees as a speculation, because they hear that money is made in growing fruit. I submit that anyone who wishes to succeed as a fruit grower must give to the work his head, his hand and his heart; as Reynolds said of the rose grower, to be a successful rose grower he must have roses in his heart, so I say the fruit grower, to be successful, must have fruit in his heart. To quote words applied to another subject, a man who hopeth all things, endureth all things, a man who can be patient and wait, a man who will give his time and study to every branch of this business, not only to the growing of his trees and the production of fruit, but to the selection and manuring of his soil, a man who will devote to it his whole heart and soul, that man is going to succeed; but no man who fails to bring such a spirit to his work is going to hurt your market. Now, I wish to turn to the positive side for a few moments. The demand for fruit in this country has increased enormously within my knowledge and the knowledge of all of you, and it is upon this principle that the increase has taken place: you have put fruit on the market, handsome fruit of good quality, and the very fact of your putting it there has created the demand, and this is certainly going to continue. You have not yet fully developed the fruit eating capacity of this country. Here is a little item that proves my position. In 1879 there was imported into this country for consumption dried fruits to the value of $2,830, and green fruits to the value of $8,221, making a total of $11,051. In 1889 the imports of dried fruits increased to $7,487, and of green fruits to $623,080, making a total increase of $619,519 in those ten years. In other words, during the last decade the increase of the importation of fruit into Canada for home consumption has been fifty-seven fold, and we may reasonably expect that this movement will continue in the years to come. I should state that these figures include oranges, lemons and other tropical fruits; yet they serve to show the growing fruit tastes of our people. I have just one other point to make, and it is this. I find that during the last few years the population of our cities has been increasing a great deal more rapidly than our country population. Now, an increase of the population of our towns and cities means an increase of consumers, while an increase of the rural population, we may say, is an increase of producers. If that be true, if our consumers are increasing many times faster than the producers, is not our outlook as fruit growers good? Are not we going to have a good market here at home? I think so. I think the prospect is such that we need not be discouraged. I do not know what the increase of the urban and rural population of the whole Dominion is, but in the United States I find that the urban population is increasing nearly twice as fast as the rural, so that, supposing our urban population increased only twice as fast, instead of as fast as the increase of Ontario would indicate, we should have even then an increase of consumers that ought to be highly satisfactory to us as producers. I have said nothing about our export trade, but if our producers are careful to send away nothing but first-class fruit, put up in first-class style, with first-class honesty, we need have no fear of not increasing our export trade, whatever may have been the deficiencies in the past. The trouble is that we do not know how much of our Ontario fruit is exported. It goes down to Montreal or Quebec, and is there credited to the Quebec province. But the export fruit trade of the Dominion in 1879, amounted to $157,618, whereas in 1889, it amounted to $1,617,818, or an increase of tenfold in the decade. Gentlemen, I believe the outlook of fruit growers in this country in not

bad. We need not be discouraged. What we want to do, is to educate ourselves to the adoption of the best kinds of fruit and the best methods of producing and shipping it, to search the best markets, and to do all we can to meet and develop the tastes of those markets.

ADDRESS BY MR. NICHOLAS AWREY, M. P. P.

Mr. NICHOLAS AWREY, M. PP., the President of the Central Ontario Farmer's Institute, being present, was invited to address the Association. He said: Mr. President and gentleman, I came here to-day more with the desire to listen to your discussions and to gain information on questions with which you are much more familiar than I am, than with the expectation of giving you any instruction. At the hotel this morning, talking to a gentleman there, and seeing a large number of strangers about, I asked him, “Are these fruit growers?" He said, "Yes, they are members of the Fruit Growers' Association." I remarked, "They are a remarkably intelligent looking lot of men," at which he swelled out to suitable proportions in acknowledging the compliment, for it happened that without knowing it I was talking to one of them. "You know," he said, "As fruit growers we always put the best side out." I suppose he referred to putting the best apples or peaches on the top. (Laughter). But it is not a bad motto for fruit growers, if they will interpret it as meaning that they should produce only the very best article, and send to the market only the very best article. There can be no success in life or in any kind of business unless men strive for superiority. Fruit growers as well as other farmers, in their desire to make money, sometimes make the mistake of bringing to the market an article of inferior quality because it comes early. I think this is especially the case with grapes. There are certain grapes of rather poor flavor which are sent into the market early, and people fill up their jars with them before those of better quality arrive. this is not cultivating the best tastes of the people. You can reach the human family as quickly by way of their palate as any other way, and if you want to increase your market you must send to it such fruit as will create in the people a liking for it. In addition to what Mr. Beadle has said, I would point out as a strong reason why the fruit growers of this province need not be discouraged, that in the next ten or fifteen or twenty years there will be a large fruit market in the North-West. I think the climate there

But

is such, that fruit cannot be produced there with much success, so that the North-West will furnish an almost unlimited market for all kinds of fruit. Another point that is worthy of our attention is that of putting up our fruit in such a way as to make it neat and pleasing to the eye. For instance, I noticed that the fruit growers in this part of the country put up considerable of their fruit in neat looking baskets, covered with nice rosy-tinted gauze, which has fooled me often-(laughter)-for on removing the gauze I, found that the color was not all in the fruit. (Laughter). There is a great deal, however, in putting up our fruit in a tasteful manner. For instance, apples sent to the Old Country will not improve the market there if they do not reach it in good condition. It is not sufficient that we can sell what we send we must only sell the best. There is only one reason why Canada to-day is selling from eight to ten million dollars worth of cheese in the Old Country; it is because we manufacture the best cheese in the world. The trade marks of one or two exporters on the boxes is a sufficient indication of the character of the cheese, and when people see them they buy it without making any further enquiry. If our butter is not as good as it might be, it is just because the dealers buy every kind from the farmers, and put altogether, good, bad and indifferent, into the firkin and send it to the Old Country. The result is, that the people in the Old Country only want to know that it is Canadian butter in order to avoid it. Now, you need to send only good fruit to the Old Country. Do not, for the sake of a few dollars of immediate profit, send a single barrel of inferior apples there, because it will injure the market tenfold in the future. The great object is to make the market permanent. Though a farmer, I cannot claim to be a fruit grower, for I think I buy more fruit than I produce; but yours is a very important branch of agricultural industry, and I think we should induce the farmers of the province to at least have enough fruit for their own

use.

Our friend Mr. Beadle never made a truer remark than when he said that a man to be a successful fruit grower must like his calling. No man has been successful as an agriculturist, a lawyer, a physician or any other position in life unless he had a sincere admiration for his calling. I am glad as the President of the Central Farmers' Institute to meet this Association, which we look upon as one with ourselves. It has been the aim and endeavor of that institute to secure the valuable assistance of the Fruit Growers' Association, and I believe Professor Mills and myself have arranged to obtain the services of delegates from this Association to attend the different Farmers' Institutes of the province, for the discussion of questious connected with your branch of agriculture I wish this Association and its members individually the greatest possible success. I hope. that when the time comes for the holding of the World's Exhibition at Chicago, the Province of Ontario will carry off the prizes for producing the best fruit on the American continent. It is your privilege to do so if you only exhibit the energy necessary to send there an exhibit worthy of the province. (Applause).

FRUIT GROWING IN NEW YORK STATE.

Mr. S. D. Willard, Geneva, N. Y., read a paper on "Fruit Growing of 1889 and 1890 in western New York," as follows:

In response to an invitation from your Secretary to say a few words at this gather ing, it occurred to me that the observation and experience of 1889 and 1890 in fruit growing, with some reference to varieties old and new that seem particularly promising to the orchardist, might be quite appropriate and of interest to all. To the fruit grower, the past two seasons have been quite phenomenal and brought with them experiences heretofore unknown.

Without doubt the excess of rainfall, which has prevailed since the fall of 1888, coupled with two open winters which caused the swelling of fruit buds at a season when they should have remained dormant, have been important factors in the results that have followed; but how will you account for the failure of the apple crop in 1890, which was preceded by a fine bloom and a good setting of fruit, and which hung well to the trees until nearly as large as walnuts? This is a question worthy of consideration by all ine terested in apple growing. One who has had a valuable experience and long observation tells us he is satisfied it was the result of a fungus developed by the falling of the spores upon the fruit and foliage, in an atmosphere moist, and so free from wind that it adhered to fruit and foliage alike, resulting in the ill effects that followed, namely: The most total failure to the apple crop within the recollection of any one living in western New York, The crop in 1889 was quite moderate, and, as a rule, inferior in quality. This was true greater or less degree with most other fruits, including the pear, peach, plum, apricot, cherry and many of the small fruits; the exceptions resulting from difference in location, hardiness in varieties and causes unknown. The result in the end may be a good lesson to the fruit grower, teaching him that success in his line will be due, in a measure at least, to a careful regard for hardiness not only in wood but in the fruit bud itself, and a thorough adaptability of soil and situation, to the nature of the fruit planted on it.

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With the remarkable increase of the orchard interests during the last quarter of a century, in the States and Dominion, have come also a corresponding increase of insect life and fungoid diseases destructive to vegetation, until the successful fruit grower must avail himself of all means at his command; enriching his mind from the investigation of scientists, carefully putting to a practical use and best test of his own observation and experience, and showing his faith by most intelligent and thorough work throughout, Such is the lesson of the hour.

The quince was an exception to some others, and, as a whole, the crop was of better quality in 1890 than in the preceding year.

While the apricot, which was a fair crop in 1889, was an absolute failure in 1890. In this no reference is made to the Russian varieties, which so far have shown no char acteristics that should merit a favorable mention, but we have a seedling that has been

grown many years by its originator, with great success in a quiet way, that is now attracting attention because of its hardiness, productiveness and early ripening, coupled with excellent quality; it is known as the Harris apricot and is being planted and fruited with great success and enormous profit on the shores of Seneca Lake. It ripens July 20th. The gooseberry and currant each gave superior crops of fine fruit in 1889, while in 1890 the product was about one-half an average.

Strawberries did not exceed one-quarter the usual crop and were of inferior quality. The crop of grapes was a grand success, probably the largest ever produced in western New York, and, with a favorable autumn, might have been of superior quality which was true of the early ripening sorts, like the Worden and Concord; but the continued rains worked much injury to those varieties wanted for winter use, which are poor in quality.

As before intimated, the observation and experience of past seasons have induced the inquiring mind to carefully consider the value of old as well as new varieties with special reference to their hardiness and adaptability to withstand the changes incident to this trying climate, not forgetting that productiveness, quality and good marketing properties are factors never to be disregarded.

The Yellow Transparent (apple) is affording more general satisfaction than any early variety. The Stump apple is an early autumn sort, has no superior as a producer, of a quality and style of fruit that will command the market of any city on the continent; the fruit in the fall of 1889, packed in peck baskets, sold in Philadelphia at 80c. per basket.

The McIntosh Red, having its origin in your own province, is becoming a great favorite and sells in our city markets as a fancy fruit stand apple, in 1889 bringing $2.25 per keg holding one and a half bushels.

Sutton's Beauty, a winter sort, keeping better than Baldwin, for productiveness, great beauty and excellence of quality, is unsurpassed and will be wanted in every market orchard when generally known.

The old Hubbardston Nonsuch is but just beginning to be appreciated. It has given a crop in the past two seasons where others have failed. One crop of this variety known to the writer, in the fall of 1889, sold at $3.50 per barrel in the orchard.

Many other sorts are being watched and tested with special reference to the wants of the orchardist from which, in due time, we shall hear.

To cover the ground desired, we must pass rapidly on, taking up other fruits, all of which may have points of interest. The peach crop is one of great profit to the producer, notwithstanding the failures that are sure to be met with now and then in this latitude. We say to avoid this, in planting seek only hardy sorts and especially those that are hardy in the fruit bud itself, and you will avoid much of the disappointment experienced by your less cautious neighbors. Such varieties can be obtained if care is observed. The old Hill's Chili is one of these, a peach of no value to eat from the hand, but yet of superior quality when properly canned, and so highly prized for this purpose, in some sections, that no other peach can be sold in its stead. The Morris White is another of the same class, perhaps more highly prized than any other of the white flesh sorts for canning and yet of great hardiness. Then, the good red cheek Melicoton, introduced years ago and to-day rarely known, will give you a crop frequently when others of its class will fail. And then, as we come to those of more recent introduction, the Early Rivers will endure cold that would destroy others, while its child, the Horton Rivers, partaking of the parent's nature in hardiness and excellence of quality has the advantage in being a perfect free-stone and with flesh of more firmness, in other respects being similar. The Hyne's Surprise, ripening at the close of the season of Early Rivers, is also a free-stone and extremely hardy, and prolonging the season of early peaches, while the Yellow St. John follows as the earliest of yellow peaches. All of these sorts seem well adapted to western New York, and we have never failed of a partial crop of these varieties in the most adverse seasons. The Garfield or Brigdon is a new yellow flesh peach of excellent quality, large size, and promises to become a standard orchard sort of great merit.

The varieties of pears adapted to orchard culture are so well known that little need be said regarding them. During the past two seasons the best paying crops have been produced