138 



OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PRESIDENT'S 



ADDRESS. 



Judge J. R. Lewis, W. P. Cragin, and H. P. Stabler, the committee 

 to which was referred the annual address of President Cooper, sub- 

 mitted the following report : 



San Jose, December 15, 1899. 

 To the President and Members of the State Fruit-Growers' Convention : 



Gentlemen: Your committee, to whom was referred the President's address, have 

 had the same under consideration and beg leave to submit their report. 



So much of the address as relates to the question of fruit distribution is of vital in- 

 terest to the growers throughout the State, and merits the most careful consideration 

 of the convention. Matters have, since the address was read, been incidentally discussed 

 before the convention, and we recommend that so much of the address as relates to that 

 subject be referred to the standing committee on marketing. 



The question as to insect pests and investigation touching predacious insects and 

 parasites, so ably discussed in the address, is one of great interest to the fruit-growers of 

 the State, and should receive earnest consideration and intelligent action on the part of 

 this convention. The work of the State Board of Horticulture in the suppression of 

 insect pests is especially commended to the attention of California fruit-growers. Pro- 

 ducers of no other State in the Union, or of no other country in the world, have made 

 the progress in the destruction of these pests that the State of California has made. 



The appropriations suggested on the part of our State Legislature should be urged, 

 not only by this convention, but by all local societies organized in behalf of the fruit- 

 growers throughout the State. 



Regarding food adulteration, we would recommend that this question, than which 

 there can be none more important, be referred to the Legislative Committee to devise a 

 plan so that the influence of the fruit-growers of this State may be wisely directed and 

 made effective. 



Your committee desires to emphasize the importance of the President's recommend- 

 ation that Congress be urged to adopt prompt measures looking to the preservation of 

 our forests and the protection of our watersheds. 



The committee heartily concur in the closing recommendation as suggested by the 

 President, and, in conformity therewith, offer the following resolution : 



"Resolved, That our members in Congress be requested to present an Act, and labor 

 for its adoption, setting aside from settlement for homes all mountain lands unoccupied 

 in the State of California, and restrict the devastation caused by prospecting for minerals 

 and mining purposes." 



Prof. CHILDS. I move that the report be received and the recom- 

 mendations adopted. 



Motion carried unanimously. 



DISCUSSION ON IRRIGATION. 



Mr. BERWICK. Dr. Woodbridge spoke of the leaching of soils by 

 the use of a few inches of water. This is an important question for us 

 to know. I would like to have the subject discussed further. 



Professor WOODBRIDGE. There are so many here with practical 

 experience that you had better ask some one from an irrigation district. 



B. E. HUTCHINGS, of Fresno. In regard to the leaching of the land 

 by irrigation: If that was a fact all of the country where I come from 



