290 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



promises sortiething^, that will j^ield the results we have been looking- 

 for, and something' that we can lay hold of, then we ought to seize 

 that and make the most of it. Now, I have seen nothing or heard 

 nothing that promises better than the plan of my old friend, Capt. 

 Cross, and if there is anything in it, why, we will adopt that; but 

 let's see first what can be done with what he has suggested. I am 

 really in hopes that the committee to be appointed will report that 

 there is something in the future for vis in the way he has suggested 

 or outlined. And what Mr. Barrett said about the effect, the influ- 

 ence those circulars he sent out has had, in that so many enquiries 

 have come in from all over, makes me feel that there are good pros- 

 pects ahead of something being done. These general resolutions 

 that aim at nothing in particular are very much like the man who 

 stood anywhere hitting at nothing and always hitting the mark. 

 I thank you. 



Mr. H. B. Ay res being called for, said: 



Mr. Ayres: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen: I would like to 

 express the feeling that I have never attended a meeting in which, 

 it seems to me, there was so much promise. I am in the woods all 

 the tiine, and in the remarks made today there has been nothing 

 that seems discordant with the sensible and practical in the con- 

 ditions that we find in the woods. It seems to me we are drawing 

 attention to this subject, and that is the most important thing for 

 us to do. The people of Minnesota are a sensible people, they are a 

 practical people, and if they only give their attention to the subject 

 and keep on giving attention to it until there is some effect, some- 

 thing will be done. I have never been so hopeful as I am now at 

 this meeting. 



I thank you. 



R. S. Mackintosh: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I 

 would like to present this resolution: 



Resolved, that this society heartily endorses the purposes of the plan pro- 

 posed by Capt. J. X. Cross in regard to the state acquiring the cut-over lands, and 

 urge the consummation of the same by the passage of suitable legislation. 



J. O. Barrett: Mr. Chairman, I do not know as I understand 

 this correctly. Capt. Cross' plan is not presented as a finality, 

 but as a consideration for future action. I would not like to 

 have this society commit itself positively, as far as I am con- 

 cerned, on that plan, because there are chances to simplify it 

 and to modify it by some future committee or committees be- 

 fore the bill is sent to the legislature. I object, as far as I am 

 concerned, to the passage of the resolution on that ground. 



J. N. Cross: This plan is not brought for any final action; 

 if something better can be furnished, or any amendment made, 

 no one would cut it in two with a knife sooner than I. 



A. W. Latham: Mr. President, it seems to me there is noth- 

 ing in Mr. Mackintosh's resolution and in what we have been 



