WHEREAS, Desirable immigration in the persons of thrifty agricul- 

 turalists would be a blessing to the State in helping to develop 

 and increase its agricultural output, and it is equally as de- 

 sirable to encourage a movement of our own people from our 

 cities and larger towns back to the farm; and 



WHEREAS, There are in this State available for more intense cultiva- 

 tion, hundreds of thousands of acres of fertile land obtainable 

 at lower rates than equally as good land in States farther 

 West; lands which are near settled communities with the ad- 

 vantages of easily available church, school and market facilities, 

 and are conveniences which tend to make country life more 

 attractive; therefore be it 



Resolved, That it is the sense of this Association that some definite 

 plan of action should be developed, whereby the existing facili- 

 ties for bringing the people to the land and the land to the 

 people may be utilized in the most effective manner, and every 

 method, by legislation or administrative order, tending to that 

 end, assisting the farmer to a knowledge and practice of the 

 methods best calculated to improve and conserve the soil and 

 to market his products, has our cordial approval and will re- 

 ceive our earnest co-operation. 

 (A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was unanimously 



carried, and with great enthusiasm). 



Resolved, That by a rising vote this assemblage recognize the cour- 

 tesy of the Secretary of Agriculture in appearing at this con- 

 ference, and give to him our hearty thanks for that interest 

 in New York State farming which he has repeatedly in the 

 past expressed in many helpful ways; and that we also tender 

 our thanks to Mr. Secretary Cable, of the Department of 

 Commerce and Labor, for his presence at this conference. 

 (A motion to adopt the foregoing resolution was unanimously 



carried). 



BY THE CHAIRMAN : 



"We have with us a gentleman from Washington who knows 

 all about the soil and will say a few words to us on this subject; 

 and I am sure he will be interesting. Prof. Milton Whitney, Chief 

 of the Bureau of Soils." 



(Applause). 



PROF. MILTON WHITNEY, Chief of Bureau of Soils, Washington, 

 D. C., said : 



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