February, '17] SANDERS: PINE BLISTER CAMPAIGN 215 



the most important matter which must be taken up immediately by the 

 several state, committee members, is the passage by the legislatures of 

 horticultural inspection laws of sufficient and inclusive power to permit 

 the official in charge to proceed with all necessary speed to check this 

 disease. Sufficient funds should be secured in order to cooperate 

 fully with the P'cdcral Department and follow up their scouting work in 

 the suspected districts. The time for immediate action is here, and 

 I can not impress upon the members of that committee too strongly 

 the importance of taking this matter to heart, and acting upon it before 

 another summer has elapsed. The experience of last summer, in 

 which the disease was spread broadcast — in some cases, as far as we 

 can judge, advancing several miles in all directions from infected lo- 

 calities — is sufficient warning to the thoughtful scientists and officials. 



All the energy, influence and power which the members of this com- 

 mittee have at their command should be exercised in assisting in the 

 passage of the bills previously mentioned through our Federal Congress. 

 Furthermore, it is necessary that the members of this committee exert 

 their influence and extend their moral support to the Federal Horti- 

 cultural Board, in their campaign for the control of import shipments 

 and the establishment of quarantines. It is believed that if the 

 Federal Board fully realized the feeling of the officials and citizens of a 

 larger number of our middle and western states, they might take more 

 drastic action upon certain fundamental questions than they have in the 

 past. Unfortunately, our state officials and inspectors have not been 

 so careful to appear before the Federal Board hearings as have the 

 members of the nurserymen associations and the brokers, to express 

 their views on horticultural matters. Consequently, the Federal 

 Board has had the burden of testimony oftentimes on the side which 

 has not appeared entirely satisfactory to our state officials. 



It now remains for the members of this board, who have been hon- 

 ored by selection and appointment, to cooperate fully with the execu- 

 tive committee, chairman and secretary, so that the best result may be 

 quickly secured. 



We are most happy in knowing that the American Forestry Associa- 

 tion have promised to assume all expense and responsibility in pushing 

 the publicity campaign without which we will be almost helpless. 

 This Association, through its president, Mr. Charles Lathrop Pack, of 

 New York, and Mr. P. S. Ridsdale, editor of American Forestry, Wash- 

 ington, D. C, promises its efforts in promulgating the desired legisla- 

 tion in the Federal Congress, and also its assistance wherever possible 

 and desirable in state legislation. 



As one of the executive members of this committee I wish to express 

 our keen appreciation of the kindness of the American Forestry Asso- 

 ciation in this campaign. 



