22 
AMERICAN POMOIvOGICAE SOCIETY 
we do here, that we are without the right of suffrage — which probably may 
be all right, but sometimes we think it is not, because the members of the 
House of Representatives who can do the most to build up this city have the 
last word. In many instances when you send them here they become so very 
busy looking after your own interests that sometimes we fear they lose sight 
of your beautiful national capital, because they have so much to do at home. 
And if any of you find anything here you like and want to see improved, do 
not fail to mention it to your member of Congress; that will very greatly 
help us in the good work of upbuilding and beautifying the national capital. 
I want to say that I am very glad to see the ladies here; I always feel 
good when I see the ladies present, because they are always such an in- 
spiration in every respect, in floriculture, in horticulture or arboriculture or 
in pomology. (Applause.) 
I can quite readily see, and must certainly mention, one thing that ap- 
peals to me very much in the discussions and subjects that are outlined in 
your program here, and that is, largely, that you are not only growing fruits 
to satisfy the inner man and the body, but you are probably building up 
wider than you think, a good, sturdy, healthy body, and sound brain, which 
have driven the wheels of progress forward in the United States of America. 
There is no better way to build up the minds and bodies of our children than 
by working them in the gardens, the fields and the orchards and keeping 
them in touch with nature. This does more good than all the doctors’ medi- 
cines I have ever heard of. 
I sincerely trust you will have a pleasant, profitable and altogether en- 
joyable convention here, and that you will stay here with us just as long as 
you can, and that when you go home — when the time of your visit must come 
to an end, — that you will be glad you came and sorry your visit could not 
be longer. (Applause.) 
President Goodman: Thank you for your welcome, Mr. Gude. We all 
of us will stay just as long as our money will hold out. (Laughter.) 
Mr. Gude: I might suggest the Treasury is located right here. (Laugh- 
ter.) 
President Goodman: In reply to these cordial words of welcome I shall 
call for a response from the South, the coming paradise for fruits, nuts and 
flowers. It is well that the first response should come from this section, and 
from one of the great pioneers and leaders of pomology in the South, our 
Vice-President, G. L. Taber, of Florida. 
