18 massachusetts horticultural society. 



Discussion. 



At the conclusion of Dr. Howard's address the Chairman stated 

 that opportunity was offered for any questions on the subject. 



James H. Bowditch said that he would like to ask the Lecturer 

 if he would not advise the acceptance, as a matter of additional 

 precaution, of the offer of Hon. Ellwood Cooper of California, 

 who guarantees to introduce effective parasites for the sum of 

 $25,000, to be paid only when the work is a proven success. 



Dr. Howard replied that he had a good opinion of Mr. Cooper 

 and that the work in California in the line of introduction of para- 

 sitic insects had in some instances been successful, but if the work 

 in Massachusetts should prove a success how should we know 

 when both were working in the same field, whether his parasites 

 or those of the U. S. Department of Agriculture were producing 

 the better results? And, therefore,, how would the State know 

 whether to pay Mr. Cooper the remuneration mentioned ? 



Mr. Bowditch replied that it did not make any difference to 

 us, the sufferers, whose parasites they were, provided we got rid 

 of the pests. Mr. Cooper proposes to employ George Compere, 

 who has just been favorably spoken of by Dr. Howard, to work 

 with him. When a man is critically ill a consultation of doctors 

 is both proper and desirable and that is the condition in which 

 we now find ourselves in relation to this great trouble that has 

 come upon our woodlands and orchards. He said he should be 

 sorry and disappointed if Mr. Cooper refused to work with Dr. 

 Howard. 



Mr. Bowditch stated that he had consulted with the Attorney 

 General of the State to learn if it were possible to have the 125,000 

 set aside for this purpose out of the remaining unexpended balance 

 of the general state appropriation of $300,000, and was informed 

 that the question should properly come from Supt. Kirkland, 

 who had promised to make the inquiry. He had also received 

 a letter from W. D. Sohier, Esq., who was of the opinion that 

 the better way would be to engage Mr. Cooper by private sub- 

 scription, and to this Mr. Bowditch agreed. There was no doubt 

 that the amount required could be raised easily and he could see 

 no objection to the business men of Massachusetts taking up the 



