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THE DAILY EXAMINER .

THE VIGE-REGAL VISIT) 2.020%. toc

Agricultural Conference Yester- day Afternoon.

And His Excellency’s Reply Thereto.

Able Speeches by Ex-Go sind

Hoard and Others | “At Home” at Government House and Fireworks Display.

The Caledonian Gathering at Ceorge- town a Great Success.

—_——_—_

Their Excellencies Warmly Welcomed.

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|

—s |

Addresses to Lord Nerden |

Tux meeting in Exhibition Hal! yester- day afternoon, was, without doubt, the greatest ever held in tie Province. It was, as the Governor-General remarked, an “ ecean of humanity.” The immense building was literally packed with people from all parts of the country and repre- senting all sects and conditions of men and women in the country. Very great eredit ia due the committee of manage- ment who made every possible provision ; yet were unable to provide against or subdue the hum resulting from moving feet upon the galleries and floors. All except those upon the platform were com- pelled to ome there was no room to sit down. Professor Robertson very ably

resided. His Excellency the Governor Geteesl oceupied the seat at the rightof the chair and Lady Aberdeen on he tleft with His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor and Mrs. Howlan, the Chief Justice and Mr- Sullivan, Hon. David Laird, Hon Senator Ferguson and Mrs. Ferguson, Hon. Mr. Davies, Hon. Mr. Peters, on either han |, besides Ex-Governor Hoard of Wisconsin, Professors Fletcherand Craig, of Ottawa, Mr. McPherson, of Ontario, Mr. Dillon and Mrs. Dillon, Hon. Alexander Laird, Mr. Cyrus Shaw, M. L. A., Mr. Anderson and a number of the prominent members of our Dairy Associations.

Professor Robertson opened the proceed- ings with a brief address. He expressed his pleasure at seeing such an immense gathering, and stated that owing to the fog the vice-regal party were unable to reach Charlottetown until this morning After the meeting was over Lord and La:ly Aberdeen wished to have presented to them the farmers and others who were present, and in order to avoid confusion they were requested to pass on aud out as

uickly as possible after the presentation.

rosperity to the farmers means prosperity to the nation, therefore agricultural con- ferences and all meetings tending to increase the wealth of the farmers deserve the patronage and encouragement of al] classes. Civilization in most countries has a tendency to increase the fertility of the soil, but here, alas! it has had the opposite effect. Let the soil, the home, the surroundings correspond as near as possible to the beautiful landscape which greets our view, and then indeed will farming be looked upon in a different light. This meeting besides being ex- pected toenhance the quantity and the quality of cheese and butter may also be utilized as affording an incentive and promoting the prosperity which will fur- nish the means for a better education for the boys and girls of P. E. Island. It will cause farmers to recognise the dignity of their calling. It is indeed a pleasure to welcome Lord Aberdeen to this gathering, where he will see the fruit of seed sown by him in years gone by. Years ago he had listened to Lord Aberdeen delivering an address on his return from holding the of- fice of Viceroy in Ireland, and he vowed then and there to return to America and to do some good te wards enhancing the fertility of this beautifal country. Thus you may thank His Excellency’s speech for the dairy stations now in existence here. And the presence of Her Excellency the Countess of Aberdeen, whose name is a benediction over the whole world, will leave sunshine in many a P. E. Island home. The com- mittee have done their work excellently and deserve special credit therefor. He then asked for the presentation of the ad- dresses of the Agricultural Convention and of the Farmers’ and Dairymen’s As- sociation.

The Dairymen’s Association Address,

The address from the Farmers’ and Dairymen’s Association was then read and presented by Hon. Alexander Laird, Presi- dent of the Association. It reads as fol- lows :

To His Excertescy tae Rienr Hoxor- ante Str Jouw Campsery Hawiiton Gorvos, Earl of Aberdeen, Governor General of Canada, etc., etc.

We, the officers and membera of the Farmers’ and Dairymen’s Association of Prince Edward Island, on our own behalf and on behalf of the farmers and dairy- men whom we represent, hail with pleas- ure this the first visitof Your Excellency to this vince,—a pleasure much en hanced by the knowledge that Your Ex- cellency has always taken a deep interest in agricultural pursuits,

We also express our gratification that Your Excellency is accompanied by Her Excellency the Countess of Aberdeen, whose name has become a household word in the homes ofall English-speaking people for the kindliness and wisdom of the efforts which she has made to promote the well-being, comfort and happiness of women-workers, especially of those who toil in the humble spheres of rural homes

We venture to express the hope that, with its different conditions, the Garden of the Gulf of the St. Lawrence will have no less occasion to remember with grati- tude and pleasure the visit of yourself and Her Excellency, than haa the Emerald Iele beyond the seas, in the welfare of whose people, when Viceroy and since, you have taken such a deep and beneficient interest. The natural fertility of the soil of Prince kdward Island, ite capability for carrying crops of grain of superior quality and abundant orops of fodder for cattle, the invigorating cool air from the surrounding seas, the plentiful supply of pure water in the many

surface, the excellent pastures, the healthy mdition r

stitute

f the cattle on the Island, con ours of the provinces of

Canada best adapted for profitable agricni- ture. The history of agriculture on the

Island from its cruder forms of growing | crops among stumps, to the present time when the dairy products of the province | have aname for excellence which 1s un-

surpassei at home and in the British

market, impresses and inspires us with

a new hope that by the improved dairying practices adopted during the past few few

years, for the introduction and establish- ment of which we are largely indebted

to the valnable assistance given by the Department of Agriculture through

the well directed labours and management

of Professor Robertson, Dominion Dairy

Commissioner, the farmers have a means of making a better living for themselves, restoring the exhausted fertility to their fields, and providing a more liberal educa- tion for their families.

We rejoice with you in the world-wide reputation which has been attained by the cattle and agricultural products of Aber- deenshire, aud shall only vie with the agriculturists there in friendly rivalry to furnish to the markets only the best quali- ty of goods from our farms for the pros | perity of the Province and the credit of its farmers.

We beg to assure you of our steadfast loyalty and the sincere devotion of our at- tachment to the person aad throne of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, whom Your Excellency has the honor to most worthily represent in our Dominion; and that Your Excellency and Lady Aber- deen may be spared to witness the bene- ficial results of this your first visit to this Province, in the new impetus given to agri- cultural pursuits,by the deep interest mani§

one

of $9,349,000, while by 1893 the value of our exports of cheese to Great Britain had increased to $13,360,000. (loud ap- plause.)

That shows what can be done in the export of Dairy Products. But the Lieut- enant Governor has reminded me that in population Prince Edward Island is only one fortieth of the Dominion. But I shall not be satisfied unless you succeed in producing more than one fortieth of the value of the Dairy exports of the Domin- ion, because you have such a fertile soil that you ought not to be satisfied without much better results than those now ob- tained. (Applause). You should go on with senteud confidence and determin- ation to show what you can do. You should look forward to making your Island a centre more especially of Dairy Farming and you must remember that thie is net to be done without much care and tronble. (Hear, hear.) No amount of fine, fertile soil will take the place of an intelligent man going forth to his labors. And sometimes a fine soil and climate are not conducive to the making of a great effort, but unless that is done you will not attainto the place you ought to hold. Therefore, I hope that the main result of this gathering to-day will be great stimulus to the farmers of this Island themselves. (Applause). You have the co-operative system. It is a splendid system, but if one man is slack of course the whole system is in danger of being apoiled, confidence is destroyed, and fail- ure is imminent. But I know enough of the population here to be aware that there ig no country with which I am acquainted where the system is more likely to pros- per. (Loud applause,» I beg in con- clusion to thank this representative audience fer the kindly manner in which Lady Aberdeen and I have been received

fested therein by Your Excellencies, an the grateful remembrance of its people for the benefit thereby conferred, is the sincere

ciation of Prince Edward Island.

Signed on behalf of the Association. Avexanper Larrp, Presidert. J.C. Uxpernsay, Vice-President. F. V. Vessey. Secretary Treasurer. Cuaries Ware, James Dicktesoy. T. S. Roperrsoy. Joszspn WIseE. Joun ANNEAR. Asranam Browy. New McPuee, Executive Committee.

The address from the oflice-bearers of the various dairying associations in the Province, was then read by Cyrus Shaw, Eeq., M. L.A. This address wae publish- ed yesterday.

His Excellency’s Reply.

To the addresses His Excellency made the following reply :— Your Honour, Mrs. Howlan, Ladies and

Gentlemen :

This is a great ocean of human life, and it is to be hoped that it will be a still ocean. It is not perfectly calm as yet, but we must allow a little time until the promenade is ended, and then we will go on with the speaking. (Laughter.) There is one point in which this notabie assemb- ly reminds me of college days—not cer- tainly in point of numbers, for when at college I never had the pleasure of wit- nessing such a gatheringas thie, but in the point of position. I refer to the fact that as students we used to be invited to Principal, and as he these occasions, we these

the house of our never sat down on never sat down, therefore we called interviews “perpendiculars.” (Loud laughter.) I see that this is a “perpen- dicular.” (Renewed laughter.) I shall proceed therefore at once to express my appreciation of these loyal and kindly addresses whieh I hate bad the honor of receiving from those who represent the societies the existence of which and the energy of which is typical of the people of this de- lightful Island of Prince Edward. (Ap plause). You may be quite sure that if I do not allude in detail to the expressions and various points of interest in these ad- dresses, it is not from want of recognition of kindness, but in order not to occupy more of your time than is necessary. The recital of these addresses reminds me of an old French fable to the effect that on his deathbed an old farmer called his sons around him and said: “There’s a treasure hidden in our little plot of ground.” The sons said toeach other: “Well, we must yet the whole of this treasure.” So they kept on turning the soil over and over again and found neither gold nor diamonds; but when they came to put in the seed— or rather when the growing up of the seed came, they never had such a crop before. That was the treasury the old farmer had spoken of. He knew there was no gold there, but he knew there was something else as valuable, and he thought that they had not been careful enough to till the soil.

Of course we must plough and cultivate by applying the best means for making this Island worthy of the name it bearr, that of the Garden of Canada. (Applause.) We all know that in former times Prince Edward Island had a special industry, that of shipbuilding, The opportunity for that has passed away, but there is another parsuit which can produce even a more far-reaching and profitable result. I think you will find that the best authori- ties will maintain that the persuit of agriculture should always be put in the first place as the fundamental industry of any such country as this; and I think we have an example to-day of the truth of that opinion when we survey such a stal- wart, intelligent, robust population as that which I have the honor of addressing. (Applause.) Allusions have been made in these addresses to the progress of the Dairying Industry since Professor Robert- son was able to come here and inaugurate the use of new methods and new appli- ances. (Applause.) I join in every word as to what has been said of our indebted- ness to Professor Robertson. I personally thank him for the genial kindness with which he contrived to make me a partner with himself in having indirectly promot- ee the activity and success of this industry. Iam pleased to-day to be on the same platform with those here who are taking a leading part in this Conference. (Ap- plause.)

As to the development of dairying you have adopted the cc-vperative plan here. It is not now a matter of theory or of ex- periment. We sometimes find farmers suspicious of new methods and = syatems. At least the Aberdeenshire farmers are, but possibly you in this newer land are free from this restrictive influence and are ready to go forward with con are and con- filence. H.iwero, x as country have not been deinz eur pert ia the menufac- ture and export of duirying products. Only think of what Denmark has done in sending out large quantities of butter

into the markets of the Old World. Since other countries less favorably endow- ed by naturs than yours, and other

parts of the Dominion have done so well, we ask, why should not you do likewise? Already we see what can be done by the immense increase in the exports of cheese fromthe Dominion. Taking the year 1890 our exports of cheese were 28 per vent. more than in 1887. Canada exported to Great Britain in 1890 cheese to the value

wish of the Farmers’ and Dairymen’s Asso- |

on our arrival in Prince Edward Island. We had boped to arrive last night, but |we are here to-day delighted and glad to find that you have such an attractive | Island. I wish you well and desire to express my best wishes for the welfare in the beat sense of the word, of all the men, women and children, who inhabit your beautiful country. Ex-Governor Hoard’s Speeeh.

Hon. W. D. Hoard, ex-Governor of Wisconsin, then addressed the meeting. He said Mr. Chairman, Your Excel- lencies, Ladies and Gentlemen: | wish I had a town clock in place of Lord Aberdeen’s watch, that it might ring

| for a few moments the injunction “ Peace, | be still.” How cana man talk confront: | ing an audience like this when there arises | on the air the sensation that the audience is ‘ten theusand‘times bigger than he is. I see before me the trinity, “ Chzese, Ensil age, Butter.” This trinity do I now declare unto you; and if you have been worshipping false gods, if you have been wandering in other directions away from that which is your salvation, repent ; turn from the error of your ways aud make Prince Edward Island what God intended it should be—a paradise for the abode of men. Forty years ago I heard Horace Greely say thie Island was the happiest and handsomest little strip of Jand on this continent; and from that day to this it has been the Mecca of my hope that I might some day behold it. I have seen a part of it and I am decidedly of opinion that Horace Greely was right originally; and that, if there has been anything between God’s purpose and its fruition it has neither been Horace Greely’s fault or mine. NowI have only a few words to utter to you. You have been honored to- day as rarely any people have ,been honor- ed, by the presence of a lady and her husband—Lord Aberdeen, the Governor- General and his wife—I think a great deal of the name wife. You have here to-day the representative of the Majesty of the Dominion Government, aye, ‘he majesty of England. You have been honored by hearing the worthy represen- tative of English thought and now an unworthy representative of American thonght stands before you. The question you wish to hear discussed to-day is “how to make two blades of grass grow where one grew before,” “how to get two pounds of milk where you have been gett- ing one.” How to render fruitful the heritage which God has given us is one of the most important problems that confronts man to-day. Men talk of the ability of ee statesmen, doctors, lawyers and nkers as if it were only the professions that needed men of ability. It is no great trick to be a lawyer—a lawyer has only to interpret the laws made by men, but the farmer deals with laws originated by his Maker, and it takes a mighty smart man to be a euccessful farmer. We require a large amount of thought and intelligence when we are dealing with laws which came from the greatest intelligence in the universe. An [Irishman one day found a man ennk in a mud hole; he. rushed over to where a Yankee was working and shouted to him to come and help get the man out. “How far is hesunk inthe mud?” said the American. “Up to his ankles,” said the Irishman. “Then he’ll be able to get out himself,” was the reply. “Oh, but,” said the Irishman, “I forgot to ray that he went in the other end first.” That has been the trouble with our agriculture. We have been going wrongend first, and it is only of late years that agricultur- ists are beginning to find out that the rearing of live stock is the road to wealth. He that loveth a cow, unto him shall all other things be aided—cheese, ensil- age, butter, more grassses, more prosperity, brighter homes, greater wealth. You need here what we found out we needed in Wisconsin We needed better cows; we needed Jarger intelligence in dealing with agricultural questions. The cow is one of the most beneficent animals we have, and she wil] well repay us for al! the kindness and attention we can show her. When Catulius went to seek his sister Buropa, who had been carried off by Zeus from Pheenecia to Crete, the Uracle told him to go out and search, and when- ever he saw a cow to follow her; and wherever she lay down, there to builda city and prosperity would follow. I re- peat the same injunction to the farmers of Prince Edward Island,“Follow the cow.” England, more than any other nation upon earth, has impressed herself upon the prosperity of the world through her domesticanimals. She has given us the great breedsof horses,fcattle and sheep. Agricul- ture in England was given into the hands of the caltured classes. It was not only culture, but agriculture. Those men bred animals fora specific purpose, and we need to learn today that if we would prosecute this dairy industry to a success- ful issue, we must breed cows as specific- ally tothe purpose,as we breed horses for the race track. You would never think of starting out to win success on the race track with a Clydesdale or Shire horse. Neither will success be attained in dairying unless we have a distinct pur- pose in breeding adairy cow. _I will give you an instance of the advantages of breeding for a purpose. [ was in the army under General Sheridan at the time of Sheridan’s famous ride at the battle of Cedar Creek. Early in the morning Gen- eral Early made an attack upon our army which was broken up, and from every throat went the cry “Where is Sheridan.”

_A fine assortment Silk Gloves. and Lace; Lisle Hose,

He was on the road from Washington.

a cheer as 1 never had _ heard in my life, and soon appeared the form of General Sheridan mounted on a magnificent chestnut herse. That horse had run twenty miles in an hour, and the timely arrival of the general saved the fortunes of that battle. For once the destinies of the United States depended upon the breeding of a horse. I, myself, was mounted on a Virginia race mare when I found myself confronted by thir teen mounted Confederates, who ordered me to halt. I said, I never will halt till the mare does. I laid my head down on Susan’s neck, aud said “Susan, get out of here,” and she got away so rapidly that I soon distanced my pursuers, They were firing on me with their revolvers. It was halt’ bang! halt! bang! ali the time, but the mare which I strode was a better animal thaa any of those driven by the enemy, and she soon widened the distance between me and my pursuers. She gaved me because she was bred to a purpose. So I have found in this dairy work, when men turn their thoughts to the breeding of cattie for this specific industry, success attends their efforts. In 1872 the State of Wisconsin produced six million pounds of cheese. ‘To-day we produce nearly fifty million,, and over fifty millions of pounds of butter. The milk products of that State are worth the sum of thirty million dollars annually. My advice to the far- mers of Prince Edward Island is to set your faces in the same direction. You have been breeding horses and have shown — ability in that direction, but the electric car and the bicycle have wreaght havoe with the horse trate. There are no national lines in the spread of know!edge. Tam glad to have met you and looked in your faces and taken inspiration to go back to my duties, I thank you for your kind attention. Presenta ion of Medals,

The Chairman announced that the gold medal would now be presented to the man who supplied to any factory in the pro- vince the largest quantity of milk per cow, and that the person entitled to this medal was Mr. John Moar, New Perth Factory. Mr. Moar was called for, but was not present.

The following were then presented with silver medals, viz.: Mr. James McDonald, Red House Factory; Mr. Owen Sullivan, Vernon River Factory; Mr. Crawford Hayden, St. Peter’s Bay Factory; Mr. J. M. Wright, Dank River Factory; Mr. Louis Haslam, Kensington Factory; Mr. Neil McDonald. Murray Harbor Factory; Mr. Donald Murchison, Cornwall Factory; and Rev. Father Walker, Gowan Brae Factory. The medale were affixed in each case, to the ceat breast by Her Excellency the Countess of Aberdeen, who shook hands with, and congratulated the winners, amid the cheers of the immense audience. At the close of the presentation the Chairman announced that the Countees of Aberdeen would now say a few words.

Her Excellency’s Address,

Her Excellency, on rising, was greeted with most enthusiastic cheers from all present, and said: Jadie+ and Gentlemen —TI believe it is an absolute truth, and one generally accepted, that ow occasions such as the present, the chairman of a meeting possesses despotic authority, and that his commands must be obeyed. 1 will, there- fore, accede to his wishes by saying just a word. I am very glad indeed to have this opportunity of congratulating those win- ners of medals whose breasts it has been my privilege and honor to decorate, upon the suecess they have achieved in the dairy industry—more especially by the last. (Great applause). If permitted to say one word more, I will congratulate this section of the country upon its noble womanhood, upon whom 80 much of its success in this vast and important industry depends. (Continued app'ause). Indeed I think the gentlemen will own that unless they had had the hearty co-operation of their wives and daughters, they could not possibly have attained the splendid success they are able to report here to-day. Some people seem to be afraid that the education- al and other advantages which are enjoyed by women in these days will tend to pre- vent their taking the same interest in dom- mestiec work as formerly ; buti think we need entertain no fears in that regard. Their education has made such progrese, that they will understand it to be their chief duty to devote their energies more and more to build- ing up the home, and _ entering with heart and enthusiasm into the per- formance of the manual and industrial work inconnection with the dairy, the success of which, I hope, will continue to increase year by year, to the great advan- tage, prosperity and happiness’ of the ra of Prince Edward Island.

he remarks made by Her Excellency were concluded amid unbounded applause from the audience.

Lieut.-Coveraor Howlan Speaks,

His Honor Lieut.Governor Bowlan, on being called upon by the Chairman to ad- dress the meeting, said: “My remarks will be very few indeed. You have lis- tened with much attention, and, no doubt, with great profit,to the kind words of Lord and Lady Aberdeen, and I shall de- tain you but a few moments. If this meeting will result in the advancement of our agricultural and dairying interests, it will = of lasting good to the people of this Province. Itis a pleasing thing to know that for forty years the feeling has found a lodgment inthe brain of my hon. friend, ex-Governor Hoard, of Wias- consin, that our Island Province is the best and greenest spot to be found on the continent. (Cheers) The dairy industry is a new departure in this coun try, and is destined to supplant the old agricultural system of the past. Im the United States, before the outbreak of the great civil war, cotton was king, and Eng- land believed it impossible to obtain ber supply of the raw material from any other source. But when that war began the supply was cut off, and other countries produced it in abundance. At the close of the war a new departure was made in the United States; the coal oil industry was developed enormously and almost eclipsed the former trade in cottoa. In that way the crisis inthe trade of that country was passed, By @ similarity of thought, we may say we have passed through a crucial term; our troubles and trials of the past are gone, and we have here today the repres- entative of Her Majesty encowraging our farmers to take this new departure in the industries of the province. The kind words of Lord and Lady Aberdeen must necess- arily find a resting place in the hearts of our people. But, after all, what could we do without our wives and daughters to _ upon, in inaugurating thie change of industry? Fothing. It is a well-ascer- tained fact that there is no part of this continent, from San Francisco to where we stand, so well-fitted to prolong animai life as this Island. And why? Our soil takes up 80 many ofgthe gasses’and salts off the atmosphere and turns them into milk and butter. And we have splendid water which is one of the foundations of animal life. The new departure is a step forward, and I am proud to say to you that while we pursue with unabated vigor-this industry, we do not reb the soil

of its fertility, and that the outlook is in-

¢ of Feather Fans; Evenin in Black, Cream, Sky, Mauve, Re ; Silk Clocked; the celebrated

great Evening Corset ; Gentlemen's Gloves and Ties. :

Presently came from the rear such | creased prosperity fdr the Province,

a vastly increased production of butté and cheese. (Prolonged applause), President McPhersoa’s Remarks. The Chairman then called upon D. M. McPherson, Esq., President of the Domin- ion Dairymen’s Asseciation, to address the

meeting.

Mr. ethene said :—-Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen; I have to congra- tulate you on the very splendid reception which your townspeople have given to our honored guests, Lord and Lady Aber- deen. I congratulate the farmers of Prince Edward Island and their wives and daugh- ters that you have come here to de honor to their Excellencies, while at the same time you are endeavoring to obtain such information as will tend to improve your condition as a people. We all congratu- late ourselves that we have with us to-day the representative of our most Gracious Queen, and that he is taking so deep an invereat in our welfare as a people. I am sure this will prove a great encourage- ment to us to put forth our very best efforts for the advancement of our inter- ests and material prosperity. We have heard,from your worthy chairman, words of encouragement that should sink deep into our hearts and minds—-words that should impel us to put hie suggestions into practice, You have heard kind words from Lord and Lady Aberdeen, encour- aging you and the ladies of this Province to put forth your best efforts for impreve-

ment in material prosperity, as well us in everything that enobles and makes better men and women.

You have heard from ex-Governor Hoard that in England the improved condition of

iculture was due to the better education wid farmers have received during late years. He showed you that the United States are deeply indebted to the great im- provement made in their breeds of horses. Our Chairman has told you that in the mother coustry agriculture has made wonderful strides in al] its branches, and hae urged you to put forth every effort to take the lead in this Dominion in sll that tends to make a country great and prosperous. In this Can- ada of ours agriculture has met with many reverses and results that did not reward the farmer as he had ex- pected. In fact, the progress of agricul- ture has been behind that of civilization in other respects; butI am glad to say that owing to the experience of the past few years, our people have taken a new departure, and the reault is shown in the fact that a number of gentlemen have, to- day, received medals for the progress made in the dairy industry. They are the progressive men of this country to- day. All this shows that agriculture is an industry that requires the best intellec- tual strength to make it a grand success. Ex-Governor Hoard has told us that it re- quired great intellects to govern a people, but greater still to develop our agricultur- al resources. Now, while that hon. gen- tleman has told you of some things you ought to do,I will tell you of some things you cando. {n order to make agriculture as successful as we desire, we require both capital and skill. These are qualifica- tions which many of our agriculturists

lack. Our legislators should, under such circumstances, come to the rescue of our people. Look at

what the Federal Government at Ottawa has done for the people of this Island. They have provided both capital and ski’! in the carrying on of your dairy industry. Capital in the working of the factories, and skill in the persan of Prof. Robertson and his assistants. You are to-day rea- lizing a large dividend for this working capital and skill. All this should greatly encourage you to push on in further im- provement. It is only the beginning of what we all anticipate. Let me give a word of advice to your Provincial Government. They should be liberal enough to supply a sufficient amount of working capital, purchase a poor farm that has been all run out, and place it in charge of a skilled farmer, and show the peopie what can be done under (such cir- cumstances. An object Jeason of that kind would do more to teach the people what can be done, than anything else. The power of example is the power that will move the farmers of this country to — forth their best efforts. Seeing is velieving, and believing is doing likewise. From information obtained from your farmers, I find that one dollar per day is the average reward for their labor on the farm. That is not enough. I have proved by my own experience that $3 per day can be realized from every day’s work done on the farm. Why should you be satisfied with one dollar per day when you can realize $3 per day? If the course I Lave suggested were pursued, farmers would soon find themselves in that envi- able position. If your Jocal government will take this matter in hand,I will give them my humble assistance in carrying out whatI have proposed. I will be only too glad to assist you in the improvement of agricalture on this beautiful Island.— (Great applause).

Prof. Rebertson—On some future occas- ion I will ask the gentleman who has just resuined his seat, to address you again. He has been pasturing seventy cows and knows whereof he speaks. This Island is not only capable of growing two blades of grass where one grew before, but one 2orn stalk as before.—(Cheers).

Professor Fletcher Speaks.

Prof. James Fletcher, Dominion ento- mologist of the Experimental Farm at Ottawa, spoke next. He spoke shortly but to the point. He said: I do not in- tend to delay the meeting many minutes. I am delighted to be here ani have an opportunity of meeting the leading agricul- turists of this province and to let them know of some of the work which is being done for their benefit at Ottawa. There are two kinds of knowledge: To know a thing or to know where to find it when re- quired. He would saggest to the farmers of Prince Edward Island to make use of the latter. They had at Ottawa an institu- tion —the Experimental Farm—their Ex- perimental Farm, which they were paying for, from which they could procare infor- mation onal] branches of this profession. His own branch was the study of insects and plants and he assured all present ‘that he would at afl times be pleased to do his utmost to assist them if they would let him know and send specimens whenever they found their crops to be attacked. This he said could be done at all times free of postage both on parcels aud letters.

What Professor Craig Said,

Prof. Craig, horticulturist of the Dominion Experimental Farms, followed in a brief address. Me began by stating that as @ servant of the people it gave him @ great deal of pleasure te meet such a large and representative gathering of the farmers of the Island, and the mutual ad- vantages which might follow such an ac- quaintance. It was his business to study the possibilities of fruit culture in the Dominion, and to assist its development by every means within his power. He pointed out the elevating effect which a study of plant life had upon the morals of the individual, and proceeding showed how the cultivation of fruits to a greater extent upon the Island would be of great financial! to the farmer. As far as he had been able to observe, the soil and climate of the Ieland were eminently suited to the devel-

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“"—

opmignt of fruit, hich fl trachive in appearance, In {fis co he siggested the culti pam ear) ties of apples, pears and plu mate and shipping bullies th such an industry and there seemec reason why other large fruits should not be as generally cultivated as was the cherry at present.

In conclusion he urged the farmers to make as much use as possible of the in- formation furnished by the Federal .Gov- ernment through the various branches of the Experimental Farm system.

Premier Peters’ Speech,

Hon. Mr. Peters was the next speaker. He said, Mr. Chairman, your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen: The conference which has been called together to-day, js altogether an Agricultural Conference, and therefore I deem it my duty to be very brief in my remarks. I think I yoice the sentiments of every person present when I say that we came here to~lay to listen to those who at great trouble to themeelves, have come here from abroad to address us. Especially is this the case when we find His Excelleney the Governor General of Canada coming here to speak on a subject so interesting now in P. E. Island. Like the poorI am alwayswith you, but their Excellencies the GovernorGeneral and Lady Aberdeen came to us but sel- dom, I therefore with you came here to- day to lieten, and not to speak. It is proper, however, that I should say a word of welcome to their Excellencies, more especially when we consider the fact that they have come down here on a mission which, above all others, is impertant to the people of this Island. I think Iam correct in saying that no other Governor- General ever visited Prince Edward [sland to speak specially and particularly on the subject of agriculture. This is the first time and I hope it will net he the last. I believe His Excellency will agree with me when I say that he did not only come here today simply for the purpose of giving you a pleasant day, although a pleasant day and a great pleasure you have had in see- ing and hearing their Excellencies; but

he is also here to awaken the minds of the people, and give a stimulus to agriculture. He

would point out to us that although agri- culture has supported us in the past, and has done & great dea) for us, there are in the future possibilities to be obtained that we have uot thought of. Not only will those who are present benefit from this conference, but throughout this Province, through Canada and to countries ‘abroad, where perhaps the name of Prince Ed ward Island is scarcely known, reports of this meeting will go, and it will be known that the Governor-General of Canada, a practical man having a practical know!l- edge of what he speaks, has been here to

address us. It may be then that persons in the old Jands instead of regarding this Island simply as a

dot on the map; may look upon it as a de- sirable place for emigration. We cannot expect many immigrants, and we do not want them; but a class of people having a small amount of capital who would come here and industriously build up for them. selves comfortable homes, would be wel- welcome. One of the addresses presented to-day stated that cheese, ensilage and butter were going to show the farmers 4

new and less arduous road for making money. Butin that I do not altoge*her

agree, for the farmer who thinks that will, I fear, makea great mistake. There is still needed hard work and much care and trouble. On _ behaif of the government and people of this pro- vines, Iextend to th-ir Excellencies a cordial welcome and hearty thanks ; and Taleo thank the other visitors and ex- Governor Hoar, an! Messrs. MePherson, Fletcher and others fur their eloquent and inspiring speehes. What Mr Davies Said

L. H. Davies, E-q., M. P., on "being called upon, said :—I have always felt that when the object of a meeting has been accomplished, u!| that is necessary has been said and done. I think you will agree with me that this has been attained on the present occasion ; but T could not resist the invitation of the Chairman to,carry out the wishes of the farmers and their wives here assembled, by moving a yote of thanks to their excellencies and the gentlemen who have addressed you, for their kindly remark on the present occasion. You know I am not a farmer, but Iam one of that class to which ex- Governor Hoard declared any man could belong—a lawyer. Although nota farmer, I have been a_ representative of the farmers in Parliament for seme years, and because of that fact the chairman no doubt selected me to move this resolution. We sincerely thank Their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Aberdeen, for their good advice with respect to im- provement in our material prosperity and other matters. In moving this vote of thanks, we can all say that we greatly appreciate the visitof Their Excellencies on the present occasion. They have net