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26 WISCONSIN CRANBERRY GROWERS' ASSOCIATION
farming. I wish we could figure up what the lands of the cranberry
growers of Wisconsin are worth, not in a sentimental way, not in a
way of what they will return in a certain big year, but what we are
making on the average, and what we are paying, not only in state
property tax but in income tax, and have something concrete to pre-
sent to the legislature.
There is another thing that occurred to me. It is better to have
one good strong supporter in court-somebody who understands your
situation, and who is in sympathy with you-than to go down there
in a general way and present this to that financial committee. I think
we should study that situation before we go down there as a commit-
tee. If possible, get one of them to come up and see what you've got,
and what you need. It is important that we should have this state
aid.
PRES. LEWIS: I am going to state an idea that I have. I want
somebody else to express their opinions on this, but I think that at
least twenty people should go down to Madison next winter. This
coming winter we must take this up with the legislature. Do you
feel, every grower, that a fieldman, one who would go around and
visit among you, can save you a few barrels of cranberries in a
season ? I certainly do. If he could save you ten barrels on your
crop, you would be repaid your share necessary to contribute to get
such a man. That is, if twenty people went down to Madison they
would have to pay their own expenses. That may frighten some of
you, but if it is going to save you ten barrels of cranberries you will
get it back.
We may need a fund of some kind. The association can't support it.
Our only source of income is our $1.00 a year dues, and $250.00 an-
nual appropriation, and our reports and other expenses eat that up.
If it does any good, I sill start the ball rolling by a contribution
of $25.00, or $50.00 if it's necessary. That's only a few barrels of
cranberries, and I am sure I will get it back. I would like to have a
few opinions on this subject of state aid.
MR. M. 0. POTTER: I would be very well satisfied with a fieldman,
if we could have him long enough, and a good one.
MR. A. E. BENNETT: I think a fieldman is the only thing left for
us. Our experimental station is gone. In Cape Cod they have built
up another one, and they have a man there that I think is doing won-
derful work, and the Cape Cod growers seem to appreciate it. The
state has taken hold and helped them, and they are getting results.
MR. PETERSON: Wisconsin is a comparatively new state, and I be-
lieve the cranberry industry is developing along with other indus-
tries. As I mentioned a while ago, we have thousands of acres of
land suitable for the industry, and I think that proposition would ap-
peal to the legislative body. I think it is an advisable thing to in-
crease the cranberry acreage. The land we are now using for cran-
berries was of little value whet. started, and has been built up into
valuable lands. I think that would appeal to those who were making
the appropriation. I think a survey should be taken of the state to
show the possible increase that could be made in acreage and money
value.
MR. F. J. WOOD: The cranberry industry should be recognized by
the state, and should be helped. I approve of appropriations to be
made for carrying out this purpose. I will join with our president,
Mr. Lewis, with what he has promised to do in bringing this about.
MR. F. R. BARBER: People who eat cranberries often do not know