86 



REPORT OF THE FIRST SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING 



countries, it is likely they might do it a little earlier, if we were 

 to urge upon them the necessity and desirability of having some 

 one go down there as soon as possible, and get hold of fruits, and I 

 have had that so strongly impressed on me, that I have prepared a 

 resolution which the Association might want to send to the Secre- 

 tary of Agriculture. I am not a member of the association, and 

 have no right to of¥er such a resolution. If you desire, however, 

 I will read that resolution, and possibly some of you may offer it. 

 Motion to adopt the name "Avocado" carried. 



Importation Urged 



Whereas, the possibility of developing in California a success- 

 ful , avocado-growing industry has in our judgment been amply 

 demonstrated ; and, 



AVhereas, we have reason to believe that many valuable varie- 

 ties, particularly cold-resistant sorts, exist in Central America, 

 Mexico, and South America that have not been introduced into 

 the United States, and which would probably be of great value in 

 the further development of the industry in California and help to 

 insure its permanent success. 



Therefore, be it resolved : 



(1) That we urge upon the Secretary of Agriculture and his 

 associates in the Seed and Plant Introduction work of the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture the great importance of sending a special 

 agricultural explorer to these countries at the earliest possible date 

 to secure and import into the United States all varieties of the 

 avocado that can be obtained ; 



(2) That in recognition of the value of the importations of 

 avocado varieties already made by the Department of Agriculture, 

 we also express to the Secretary of Agriculture our keen apprecia- 

 tion of the value to the industry of the service his department has 

 already rendered; 



(3) That copies of these resolutions be forAvarded to the Hon- 

 orable Secretary of Agriculture and to the Chief of the Bureau of 

 Plant Industry. 



Dr. Webber was elected an honorary member of the association, 

 and then moved the passage of the above resolution, which was 

 duly seconded and carried. 



