20 



It lias been suggested that we should do nothing to counteract 

 the ravages of the chestnut tree disease, because we are not fully 

 informed as to how to proceed. That is un-American. It is not 

 the spirit of the Keystone State, nor the Empire State, nor the 

 New England States, nor the many other great States that are 

 represented here, to sit down and do nothing, when catastrophies 

 are upon us. It has been suggested that we should wait patiently 

 until the scientists have succeeded in working out these ques- 

 tions in all their minutiae; that thus we may be able to accom- 

 plish our results more quickly. But that is not the way that 

 great questions are solved. If we had waited until the appli- 

 cation of steam should be thoroughly understood, we would be 

 still waiting for our great trains and steamboats, which are the 

 marvel of the age. (Applause). 



We know some tilings about this curse, and we are here to 

 exchange ideas; to tell, on the one hand, what we have learned 

 through our scientific studies, and, on the other hand, what we 

 have learned through our practical work; and thus we believe 

 that at the close of this Conference, we will all go away from 

 here, wiser and better prepared to carry forward the great work 

 in which we are interested. 



Now we are here for business. The Governor has given us the 

 keynote for the meeting. I should not take your time further in 

 making remarks, but let me say to you that, so far as in me lies, 

 these meetings will be expedited; they will begin on time; the 

 programme will go forward without unnecessary delays; and I 

 only ask that the Chair may have the sympathy and the cordial 

 co-operation of the many delegates who are attending the meet- 

 ings, to the end that when we close, we may all feel that it was 

 well that we came together. Unless other arrangements are 

 made, the Chair will understand the usual rules of procedure 

 will govern our deliberations, and he will follow those rules to 

 the best of his ability, being always willing to be corrected or 

 to be overruled by those who are participating in the Conference. 



The Chair will now recognize Mr. Samuel T. Bodine, of the 

 Chestnut Tree Blight Commission. 



MR. BODINE : In order that the deliberations of this Con- 

 ference may be properly summed up, Mr. Chairman, I move 

 that a Committee on Resolutions be appointed by the Chairman 



