Discussion on the Report. 173 



to go to Washington. I think correspondence will do the work. 

 Address letters to our congressmen. They are interested enough 

 in their constituency to pay attention to letters. 



Gov. Colman, of Missouri — I can tell you, after considerable ex- 

 perience, that Prof. Burrill is hitting the nail on the head every 

 time when he speaks of the importance of having nurses at Wash- 

 ington. I know how congressmen are influenced by persistent per- 

 sonal effort. If we had a few men there like President Earle to 

 work it up, it might get through. Simply writing a letter, which 

 will be laid on the table, will not do a great deal. There are cer- 

 tain States so interested that their members in Congress may be im- 

 pressed with the importance of the subject. If, however, we could 

 raise a fund to send two or three men to Washington, I believe a 

 great deal could be accomplished. I only regret that we have not 

 the money. I agree with Mr. Johnson that we must write, but I 

 feel that unless we have men there at the wheel it will not go 

 through. I hope a committee will go from this Society and pre- 

 pare a bill, and be there to see it through. I suppose there will be 

 two bills — one for the New Orleans exhibition and one for forestry. 

 Our congressmen do not generally appreciate these things — they are 

 bent on politics. Farmers or horticulturists are not the ones we 

 have in Congress. They are politicians and lawyers ; more than 

 nine-tenths are lawyers, not interested in these affairs. I hope the 

 time will come when those things which underlie the prosperity of 

 this country will be impressed on Congress. 



The Secretary — It occurs to me that we are assuming a great deal 

 of expense and labor which does not belong to our Society alone. 

 This work covers all the ground of forestry, pomology and horti- 

 culture. Should we not ask of other associations their co-operation 

 and aid in these matters of such general interest ? 



The President — I will announce the committee called for in this 

 report now, It is our desire to have a committee, every member of 

 which will go to Washington. We have to consult political affilia- 

 tions, location, etc. It is the western part of the country that is 

 specially interested. I have made the appointment with these con- 

 siderations in view. It should represent seven States ; but I have 

 thought best, for some reasons, to appoint two men from Nebraska. 



