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Title: Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Fifth Annual Meeting - Evansville, Indiana, August 20 and 21, 1914
Author: Northern Nut Growers Association [Editor]
Language: English
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NORTHERN NUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA AUGUST 20 AND 21, 1914
CONCORD, N. H. THE RUMFORD PRESS 1915
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Officers and Committees of the Association 4
Members of the Association 5
Constitution and Rules of the Association 10
Proceedings of the Meeting held at Evansville, Indiana, August 20
and 21, 1914 11
Report of the Secretary-Treasurer 17
Proposed Score Card for Judging Nuts 20
Status and Possibilities of Nut Culture in the North,
T. P. Littlepage, Washington, D. C. 23
Discussion on Cultivation and Fertilizers for Nut Trees 31
Personal Experiences with Hybridization of Nut Trees,
Dr. Robert T. Morris, New York 37
The Use of Dynamite in Tree Planting, C. D. Evans, Delaware 43
Demonstration of Grafting and Budding Nut Trees, R. L. McCoy,
Indiana, and Paul White, Indiana 47
Discussion on Seedling Trees 52
Seedling Nut Trees. The Nomenclature of Northern Pecans,
Dr. J. Russell Smith, Pennsylvania 54
Practical Suggestions on the Production of Nut Orchards,
Dr. C. A. Van Duzee, Georgia 61
The Function of the Class Journal, Ralph T. Olcott,
_Editor American Nut Journal_ 65
Discussion on Top Working Large Nut Trees 68
Report of the Committee on Nomenclature 73
Report of the Committee on Exhibits 74
Report of the Committee on Resolutions 74
Session at Enterprise 75
A Plea for the Planting of Nut Trees, Colonel C. K. Sober,
Pennsylvania 85
Discussion on the Hazel or Filbert 88
Appendix:
The History of the Persian Walnut in Pennsylvania, J. G. Rush,
Pennsylvania 93
A Comparison of Northern and Southern Conditions in the
Propagation of Nut Trees, J. F. Jones, Pennsylvania 96
Top Working Large Walnut Trees, W. C. Reed, Indiana 101
Interest in Nut Growing in the Intermountain States,
Dr. L. D. Batchelor, Utah 104
Report from G. H. Corsan, Canada 105
Distribution of Persian ("English") Walnut Seedlings in
Michigan 107
Examples of Some Recent Correspondence 109
Preliminary Report on the Persian Walnut, by the Secretary 114
Correspondents and Others Interested in Nut Culture 118
Some Recent Literature on Nuts and Nut Growing 124
Present at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Northern Nut
Growers Association 126
Annual Meeting in 1915 127
OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
_President_ J. RUSSELL SMITH University of Pennsylvania
_Vice-President_ W. C. REED Indiana
_Secretary and Treasurer_ W. C. DEMING Georgetown, Connecticut
COMMITTEES
_Executive_
T. P. LITTLEPAGE
R. T. MORRIS
AND THE OFFICERS
_Nomenclature_
W. C. REED
R. T. MORRIS
E. R. LAKE
C. A. REED
R. L MCCOY
_Membership_
W. C. DEMING
LEON D. BATCHELOR
C. H. PLUMP
_Hybrids_
R. T. MORRIS
J. R. SMITH
C. P. CLOSE
_Promising Seedlings_
T. P. LITTLEPAGE
C. A. REED
J. RUSSELL SMITH
_Press and Publication_
RALPH T. OLCOTT
T. P. LITTLEPAGE
W. C. DEMING
STATE VICE-PRESIDENTS
Arizona C. R. Biederman Garces
California Claude D. Tribble Elk Grove
Canada G. H. Corsan University of Toronto
Connecticut Newman Hungerford Torrington, R. 2, Box 76
District of Columbia T. P. Littlepage Union Trust Building, Washington
Florida H. Harold Hume Glen Saint Mary
Georgia J. B. Wight Cairo
Illinois E. A. Riehl Alton
Indiana R. L. McCoy Lake
Ireland Dr. Augustine Henry 5 Sanford Terrace,
Ranelagh, Dublin
Kentucky A. L. Moseley Calhoun
Maryland C. P. Close Department of Agriculture, Washington
Massachusetts James H. Bowditch 903 Tremont Building, Boston
Michigan H. L. Haskell 209 North Rowe St., Ludington
Minnesota C. A. Van Duzee Minneapolis
Missouri Alfred E. Johnson McBaine, R.1
New Jersey C. S. Ridgway Lumberton
New York Dr. Ira Ulman 213 West 147th St., New York City
North Carolina W. N. Hutt, State Horticulturist Raleigh
Ohio Harry R. Weber 601 Gerke Building, Cincinnati
Pennsylvania J. G. Rush West Willow
Tennessee Egbert D. Van Syckel Trenton
Utah Leon D. Batchelor, Horticulturist,
State Agricultural College Logan
Virginia John S. Parish Eastham
West Virginia B. F. Hartzell Shepherdstown
MEMBERS OF THE NORTHERN NUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
ARIZONA
C. R. Biederman, Garces
CALIFORNIA
Tribble, Claude D., Elk Grove
Tucker, T. C., Manager California Almond Growers' Exchange,
Sacramento
CANADA
Corsan, G. H., University of Toronto
Crow, J. W., Professor of Pomology, Ontario Agricultural College,
Guelph
Dufresne, Dr. A. A., 217 St. Christopher St., Montreal
Fisk, Dr. George, 101 Union Ave., Montreal
Henderson, Stuart, Victoria, British Columbia, Box 77
Saunders, W. E., 352 Clarence St., London, Ont.
CONNECTICUT
Barnes, John R., Yalesville
Deming, Dr. W. C., Georgetown
Deming, Mrs. W. C., Georgetown
Hungerford, Newman, Torrington, R. 2, Box 76
Ives, Ernest M., Sterling Orchards, Meriden
Miller, Mrs. Charles, 32 Hillside Ave., Waterbury
Morris, Dr. Robert T., Cos Cob, R. 28, Box 95
Plump, Charles H., West Redding
Pomeroy, E. C., Northville
DELAWARE
Evans, C. D., care of DuPont Powder Company, Wilmington
Lord, George Frank, care of DuPont Powder Company, Wilmington
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Close, Prof. C. P., Pomologist, Department of Agriculture, Washington
Lake, Prof. E. R., Pomologist, Department of Agriculture, Washington
+Littlepage, T. P., Union Trust Building, Washington
Kinsell, Miss Ida J., 1608 17th St., Washington
Orr, Herbert R., Evans Building, Washington
Reed, C. A., In Charge of Nut Culture Investigations, Department of
Agriculture, Washington
*Van Deman, Prof. H. E., Washington
FLORIDA
Hume, H. Harold, Glen Saint Mary
Prange, Mrs. N. M. G., Jacksonville
Simpson, Ray C., Monticello
GEORGIA
Wight, J. B., Cairo
ILLINOIS
Aldrich, H. A., Neoga
Heely, Dr. O. J., St. Libory
Poll, Carl J., 1009 Maple St., Danville
Potter, Hon. W. O., Marion
Riehl, E. A., Alton
Spencer, Henry D., Room 1, Opera House Block, Decatur
Webster, H. G., 450 Belmont Ave., Chicago
INDIANA
Baldwin, C. H., State Entomologist, 130 State House, Indianapolis
Burton, Joe A., Mitchell
Hutchings, Miss Lida G., 118 Third St., Madison
Knapp, Dr. A, J., Evansville
Lockwood, E. E., Poseyville
McCoy, R. L., Lake
Niblack, Mason J., Vincennes
Reed, M. T., Vincennes
Reed, W. C., Vincennes
Schmidt, Hugh C., Evansville
Simpson, H. D., Vincennes
Wilkinson, J. F., Rockport
IRELAND
Henry, Dr. Augustine, 5 Sanford Terrace, Ranelagh, Dublin
KENTUCKY
Matthews, Prof. C. W., Horticulturist, State Agricultural
Station, Lexington
Moseley, A. L., Bank of Calhoun, Calhoun
MARYLAND
Holmes, F. S., Agricultural Experiment Station, College Park
MASSACHUSETTS
+Bowditch, James II., 903 Tremont Building, Boston
Hoffmann, Bernhard, Overbrook Orchard, Stockbridge
Knight, Charles F., Rowley
Mason, Harry R., Falmouth
Rich, William P., Secretary State Horticultural Society,
300 Massachusetts Ave., Boston
Smith, Fred A., 39 Pine St., Danvers
Vaughan, Horace A., Peacehaven, Assonet
White, Warren, Holliston
MICHIGAN
Haskell, H. L., 209 N. Rowe St., Ludington
MINNESOTA
Powers, L. L., 1200 Lexington Ave., N. St. Paul
Van Duzee, Col. C. A., St. Paul
MISSOURI
Johnson, Alfred E., McBaine, R. 1
NEW JERSEY
Dietrick, Dr. Thomas S., 12 West Washington Ave., Washington
Foster, Samuel F., Secretary North Jersey Society for the Promotion
of Agriculture, 100 Broadway, New York City
Marston, Edwin S., Florham Park, Box 72
Mergler, C. W., Hackensack Road and Mt. Vernon St., Ridgefield Park
Putnam, J. H., Vineland
Ridgeway, C. S., "Floralia," Lumberton
Roberts, Horace, Moorestown
Steele, T. E., Pomona Nurseries, Palmyra
Walter, Dr. Harry, Hotel Chalfonte, Atlantic City
NEW YORK
Abbott, Frederick B., 419 Ninth St., Brooklyn
Ackerly, Orville B., 243 W. 34th St., New York City
Baker, Dr. Hugh P., Dean of State College of Forestry, Syracuse
Baker, Prof. J. Fred, Director of Forest Investigation, State College
of Forestry, Syracuse
Brown, Ronald K., 320 Broadway, New York City
Bruce, W. Robert, Brick Church Institute, Rochester
Church, Alfred W., Portchester
Ellwanger, Mrs. W. D., 510 East Ave., Rochester
Fullerton, H. B., Director Long Island Railroad Experiment Station,
Medford, L. I.
Hickox, Ralph, 3832 White Plains Ave., New York City
Hans, Amedee, Superintendent Hodenpyl Estate, Locust Valley, L. I.
Haywood, Albert, Flushing
Hicks, Henry, Westbury, L. I.
Holden, E. B., Hilton
+Huntington, A. M., 15 W. 81st St., New York City
Keeler, Charles E., Chichester and Briggs Aves., Richmond Hill
Miller, Mrs. Seaman, care of Mr. Miller, 2 Rector St., New York City
Murphy, P. J., 115 Broadway, New York City, care of Ford, Bacon &
Davis
Olcott, Ralph T., Ellwanger & Barry Building, Rochester
Pomeroy, A. C., Lockport
Reynolds, H. L., 2579 Main St., Buffalo
Rice, Mrs. Lillian McKee, Adelano, Pawling
Stephen, Prof. John W., Assistant Professor of Silviculture, State
College of Forestry, Syracuse
Storrs, A. P., 117 Front St., Owego
Teele, A. W., 30 Broad St., New York City
Teter, Walter C., 10 Wall St., New York City
Tuckerman, Bayard, 118 E. 37th St., New York City
Turner, K. M., 220 W. 42nd St., New York City
Ulman, Dr. Ira, 213 W. 147th St., New York City
Wile, Th. E., 1012 Park Ave., Rochester
Williams, Dr. Charles Mallory, 48 E. 49th St., New York City
+Wissmann, Mrs. F. deR., Westchester, New York City
NORTH CAROLINA
Glover, J. Wheeler, Morehead City
Hutt, Prof. W. N., State Horticulturist, Raleigh
Van Lindley, J., J. Van Lindley Nursery Company, Pomona
OHIO
Dayton, J. H., Storrs & Harrison Company, Painesville
Denny, Mark E., Middletown
Ford, Horatio, South Euclid
Johnston, I. B., Cincinnati, Station K
Miller, H. A., Gypsum
Rector, Dr. J. M., Columbus
Weber, Harry R., 601 Gerke Building, 123 E. 6th St., Cincinnati
Witte, O. F., Amherst
Yunck, E. G., 710 Central Ave., Sandusky
PENNSYLVANIA
Ballou, C. F., Halifax
Doan, J. L., School of Horticulture, Ambler
Druckemiller, W. C., Sunbury
Fagan, Prof. F. N., Department of Horticulture, State College
Foley, John, Forester, Pennsylvania Railroad Company, 513-A,
Commercial Trust Building, Philadelphia
Hall, L. C., Avonia
Hildebrand, F. B., Duquesne
Hoopes, Wilmer W., Hoopes Brothers and Thomas Company, Westchester
Hutchinson, Mahlon, Ashwood Farm, Devon, Chester County
+Jones, J. F., Lancaster, Box 527
Keely, Royal R., 1702 Mt. Vernon St., Philadelphia
Knipe, Irwin P., Norristown
Lovett, Mrs. Joseph L., Emilie, Bucks County
Martz, Walter C., Lebanon, care of Lebanon National Bank
Meehan, S. Mendelson, Thomas Meehan & Sons, Germantown
Moss, James, Johnsville, Bucks County
Preslar, C. F., 524 Grand View Ave., Pittsburgh
Rush, J. G., West Willow
Schmidt, John C., 900 So. George St., York
Smitten, H. W., Rochester Mills, R. 2
+Sober, Col. C. K., Lewisburg
Thomas, Joseph W., Jos. W. Thomas & Sons, King of Prussia P. O.
Twaddell, E. W., Evergreen Nurseries, Westtown
Webster, Mrs. Edmund, 1324 So. Broad St., Philadelphia
Wister, John C., Wister St. and Clarkson Ave., Germantown
Wright, R. P., 235 W. 6th St., Erie
TENNESSEE
Van Syckel, Egbert D., D.D.S., Trenton
UTAH
Batchelor, Leon D., Horticulturist, Utah Agricultural College, Logan
Pendleton, M. A., 3 Mozart Apartments, Salt Lake City
VIRGINIA
Crockett, E. B., Lynchburg
Parish, John S., Eastham, Albermarle County
Roper, W. N., Arrowfield Nurseries, Petersburg
Shackford, Theodore B., care of Adams Brothers-Paynes Company,
Lynchburg
Smith, Dr. J. Russell, Roundhill
Von Ammon, S., Fontella
WEST VIRGINIA
Hartzell, B. F., Shepherdstown
+ Life member
* Honorary member
CONSTITUTION AND RULES OF THE NORTHERN NUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
_Name_. The society shall be known as the NORTHERN NUT GROWERS
ASSOCIATION.
_Object_. The promotion of interest in nut-producing plants, their
products and their culture.
_Membership_. Membership in the society shall be open to all persons who
desire to further nut culture, without reference to place of residence
or nationality, subject to the approval of the committee on membership.
_Officers_. There shall be a president, a vice-president, and a
secretary-treasurer; an executive committee of five persons, of which
the president, vice-president and secretary shall be members; and a
state vice-president from each state represented in the membership of
the association.
_Election of Officers_. A committee of five members shall be elected at
the annual meeting for the purpose of nominating officers for the
subsequent year.
_Meetings_. The place and time of the annual meeting shall be selected
by the membership in session or, in the event of no selection being made
at this time, the executive committee shall choose the place and time
for the holding of the annual convention. Such other meetings as may
seem desirable may be called by the president and executive committee.
_Fees_. The fees shall be of two kinds, annual and life. The former
shall be two dollars, the latter twenty dollars.
_Discipline_. The committee on membership may make recommendations to
the association as to the discipline or expulsion of any member.
_Committees_. The association shall appoint standing committees of three
members each to consider and report on the following topics at each
annual meeting: first, on promising seedlings; second, on nomenclature;
third, on hybrids; fourth, on membership; fifth, on press and
publication.
Northern Nut Growers Association
FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING
AUGUST 20 AND 21, 1914
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
The fifth annual meeting of the Northern Nut Growers Association was
held in the Evansville Business Association Hall at Evansville, Indiana,
beginning August 20, 1914, at 10 A. M., President Littlepage presiding.
THE PRESIDENT: The fifth annual meeting of the Northern Nut Growers
Association will now come to order, and I have the pleasure of
introducing to you Dr. Worsham who represents the Mayor of Evansville.
DR. WORSHAM: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Northern Nut Growers
Association:
Some men are born to greatness and others have it thrust upon them. I
stand in the position this morning of a man that has had his greatness
thrust upon him. The secretary of the Evansville Business Association,
who frequently takes liberties with me, told me a few minutes ago that,
in the absence of our Mayor, I was to welcome you.
We extend to you a most cordial welcome to our thriving city. We are
always glad to have associations of this kind meet with us, because they
bring to us new ideas and new thoughts.
As I looked upon those nuts this morning my mind returned to the time
when I was a boy, when my father, although a splendid business man who
took advantage of most of the opportunities that presented themselves to
him, neglected one of the best he had in selling one hundred and
twenty-five acres of land across the Ohio River here, upon which there
grow a number of native pecans. The only time we ever had any pecans
from that place was when we got a German over there, direct from
Germany. He couldn't speak a word of the English language but my father
said to him, "Keep the boys out and get some pecans." He went down there
with a dog and a gun and we got more nuts that year than ever before or
since.
This city has the distinction, as I have learned since I came into the
hall, of being the center of the nut growing district of the northwest.
Another honor that our splendid city has. As you know we are here in the
largest hardwood lumber market in the world; we have the cheapest and
best coal of any place in the world; we have the greatest river
facilities of any city along the Ohio River; we have six main arteries
of railroad into our city, so it is easy to manufacture, easy to ship
and easy to dispose of the products of our business in this grand,
beautiful and well situated city.
Now gentlemen, remember that Dr. Worsham's telephone is 213, that I am
representing the Mayor and Business Men's Association, and that we are
perfectly delighted to have you with us. I hope you will have a good
time. I thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Dr. Robert T. Morris will respond first to Dr. Worsham
and afterwards Mr. Potter.
DR. MORRIS: Mr. Chairman, Representatives of the Business Men's
Association, Ladies and Gentlemen: In Chicago, I met an Englishman who
told me he was going to "Hevansville." I did not know just where he
meant but after hearing Dr. Worsham's speech, I understand.
This is no doubt one of the coming cities of the world. You have here
the field that was fought for by the early settlers and the Indians, and
the field that is to be the scene of many wars in days to come.
In the days to come, perhaps a thousand years from now, there may be
four or five people to the acre living under conditions of intensive
cultivation. This is just the sort of land that will support a
population to the best advantage, and you have here conditions suitable
for the crop that is to be the crop of the future. People do not fully
utilize nature's resources until there is need for doing so. We have
depended upon the cereals and the soft fruits and things of that sort,
just as the early Indian depended upon the deer and the beaver. The time
came when his beaver and his deer disappeared. We, like the Indian, take
up first the development of simplest things in plant life. Later, under
intensive cultivation, we shall be enabled to support a very much larger
population on fewer acres.
We find that nuts contain starch and proteids in such proportion that
they will fairly well take the place of meats and of other starches.
Now, this is not an opinion which is individual alone, but is the
conclusion of authorities after examination of data. Chemical
examination of nuts has been made by our Department of Agriculture at
Washington and by chemists elsewhere. The nut crop, then, is to be
perhaps the staple food crop for the people of the United States one
thousand years from now, when we are depending upon methods of intensive
cultivation for the annual plants.
It is true, of course, that three thousand years before Christ, the
Emperor Yu developed in China a system of agriculture that is better
than any European or American system today both as to production and
transportation--perhaps including distribution. At the present time
China is supporting a larger population to the acre than any other
country.
All this comes to mind in response to the address of welcome by Dr.
Worsham. Here at this point of our United States, there is already a
center of the new movement for the development of the great future food
supply of the world, a nut nursery center. Here we find also another
feature of great consequence from the economic and politic side. We find
honest nurserymen. That is a very important matter. As nations advance
in culture the moral side develops, and as the ethical side develops
there will be better representatives in the trades and in all callings.
The nursery business is near to nature and for that reason simple people
have assumed that nurserymen were nearly as white as snow. Those of us
who have had some experience with them, know what it means to find
honest ones. We deeply appreciate the fact that in this part of the
country honest nurserymen are making a name for themselves and for
America.
I know Evansville not only in this way that I have been speaking of but
also in a professional way because of its doctors. There are two or
three or four of the Evansville doctors--you do not know that as members
of this Association, but I know it as a member of our great
profession--who have placed Evansville upon the map. This city is best
known throughout the United States in the medical profession because of
some three or four Evansville doctors of the present and past.
Therefore it is with a double pleasure that I respond to the address of
welcome given by Dr. Worsham.
THE PRESIDENT: We will now hear from Hon. W. O. Potter of Marion,
Illinois.
MR. POTTER: Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: This meeting to me is
something out of the ordinary. I can remember that when I was a boy I
knew every good hickory nut tree in the community where I was raised,
but after I left my native heath and went into the practice of law and
got into politics, I forgot all about the hickory trees until just a few
years ago when, by accident, I picked up a nut journal. I don't know how
it came into my possession but I got it and I read some article on the
Indiana pecan, and I read an article on the development of nut trees in
the south, and I got interested and commenced studying the subject. I
wrote to the Department of Agriculture and got some articles on nut
culture from Mr. Reed and others and became still more interested.
However, nut culture doesn't mix well with politics or law, and,
therefore, it is more or less of a side issue with me. I have gone into
nut culture only on a small scale. On my lot in the city of Marion where
I live I have set out some pecan trees, and after a hard battle in court
all day it is quite a pleasure to get home in the evening and to pull
off my coat and to get on some old clothes and go out among my trees.
There is nothing better to get one's mind off the daily combat of life.
I was very much impressed with Dr. Worsham's address of welcome and also
Dr. Morris's response. I believe that this country is beginning a new
era; we are going to experience a metamorphosis. I think we will shed
this old shell, take on a new dress and start afresh.
I presume it is here as in Illinois where I was raised. Our farmers came
from the south principally, and about all they knew of farming in those
early days was to raise corn and some tobacco, but mostly, through our
section, corn, and in a few years they corned the land to death. You can
go through our country and see old hillsides red with clay and farmers
barely eking out an existence. Those people will never be much better
off than they are now, but as they pass off and the newer generation
comes on, departments of agriculture and horticulture will be organized
in the universities, where it has not already been done, and the farmers
will be a class of people right up to date. Modern civilization tends to
drive the sons back to the farm and that is overdone sometimes. People
think they want to go to farming when they don't. We ought not to take
up this idea "back to the farm" too largely at once but gradually grow
into it. I know what it is to be on the farm and work hard day after
day; there is no chance for us under the old conditions; but in higher
forms of agriculture or horticulture the American people will find the
greatest benefits and pleasures. It gets monotonous for a man who has a
profession to stick to that all the time, day in and day out without
change, week in and week out, year in and year out, and he gets to
driving in a rut. If he will take up a side line it will do him much
good. I have gone into nut growing for recreation, not profit, and I
think it is an occupation most conducive to a strong mind and a healthy
body.
This country is getting to a point where we are going to have more
producers. We have too many consumers in this country. We talk about the
tariff and whether it raises or lowers the price of articles. That is
neither here nor there. The thing that will control the prices of foods
is the amount of food produced. As Dr. Morris said awhile ago we don't
need so much meat as we used to think we needed nor so many other kinds
of foods. All the food elements that keep man alive and his body in a
healthy condition are contained in nuts, fruits and things of that
character, and this to a great extent will eliminate the need for meats.
Meat is getting scarce and high. Beef steaks and pork chops are a great
deal higher than they formerly were and some of us who are not making as
much money in our professions as we need will have to find something
else to take the place of them. It seems to me that the solution of the
problem is in the production of nuts. The peanut is being manufactured
in a great many ways and we are using them on our tables daily, and it
will only be a few years when the pecan will be fixed up in as many
different ways.
The hickory nut I think is another great nut of this country and great
attention ought to be paid to it. Its culture is still in its infancy. I
believe that in a few years the hickory nut and pecan will help solve
the food problem.
I would not know how to graft any kind of a tree. What trees I need I
buy from some good responsible nurseryman and let him do the work of
grafting.
I am glad to be a member of this association, although this is the first
meeting I have ever attended. I get a lot of enthusiasm from the other
members and I have had lots of information from being a member of this
association.
I want to thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for listening to my remarks
which I had no thought of making. What I have said has been at random.
DR. MORRIS: When I was speaking a minute ago I left out one idea that is
clever, and I want to get it in although it belongs to Professor Smith.
When we get to the point of intensive cultivation we are to have the
two-story farm. We will have the tree which will be the second story and
will furnish our meat, and underneath we will have our small crops. In
that way we will have a two-story farm.
THE PRESIDENT: That is a very good idea, Dr. Morris, and I am glad you
got it in. We are very glad to have the remarks by Dr. Morris and Mr.
Potter. Mr. Potter has been in the legislature and we are pleased to
know that there is one member of a legislature in the United States who
does not know how to graft.
MR. POTTER: I am sorry you said that. I wish you had left that out. I
was there when Lorimer was elected.
THE PRESIDENT: There is nothing that would cure a legislature of
grafting quicker than horticulture.
The chair desires to make an announcement of the program. This morning,
there will be the usual talks and papers. We will adjourn at 12 o'clock
and meet again at 1 o'clock for the afternoon session until 5 o'clock,
at which time the members of the Association and visitors are invited by
some of the citizens to take an automobile ride to see the city and the
different industries, which I am sure we will all be glad to do. This
evening at 8 o'clock there will by a lecture by Mr. C. A. Reed of the
Department of Agriculture and he will us show one of the best
collections of lantern slides in existence. Everybody is invited,
whether members of the Association or not, including the ladies and
children.
Tomorrow morning at 7:15 we will take the Rockport traction car here,
getting off at Sandale, at which place we will be met by wagons and we
will go to Enterprise where you will see a great number of seedling
pecan trees of all ages. They are bearing, the limbs hanging down close
to the ground, and there will be an excellent opportunity to see the
nuts on the trees at close range.
A gasoline boat will meet us at Enterprise between 12 and 1 and we will
return to Evansville tomorrow evening, via the river, stopping at proper
points, and be in session again at 8 o'clock, finishing up the business
of the Association with a lecture by Col. C. K. Sober of Pennsylvania,
the great chestnut producer. He has a great many lantern slides and will
tell you many things of interest. He is one man who is working earnestly
and tirelessly to combat the chestnut blight.
The next thing on the program this morning will be the report of the
secretary of the Association, Dr. W. C. Deming.
THE SECRETARY: I have the honor to report as follows:
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-TREASURER
Deficit, date of last report $105.05
Expenses:
Washington meeting 10.46
Reporting convention 45.00
Printing report 217.58
Miscellaneous printing 23.25
Postage and stationery 42.84
Membership A. P. S. 2.00
Stenographer and multigraphing 7.20
Express, carting, freight 3.36
Exchange on checks .90
Telephone .25
-------- $457.89
Receipts:
Dues $273.00
Postage 5.07
Advertisements 69.05
Contributions 104.00
Sale of report 4.00
Bills receivable 10.00
-------- $465.12
Balance on hand $7.23
It was necessary to take out a membership in the American Pomological
Society in order to be eligible to receive the bronze Wilder medal
awarded for meritorious exhibit of nuts at the Washington convention.
In response to an appeal sent out by the secretary for assistance in
defraying the expenses of publishing the report, thirteen members
contributed. There was one contribution of fifty dollars, one of
twenty-five dollars, several of five dollars and others of lesser sums.
Two advertisements are still not paid for.
It is evident that the income of the association from regular sources is
not at present sufficient to pay the expense of printing the annual
report, in addition to the necessary expenses of maintenance. It may be
possible to reduce the expense of printing the report by omitting cuts
and by printing a smaller number of reports, though the saving from the
latter expedient would be small.
It seems to be the opinion of some of our members, and it is certainly a
good business principle, that we should not undertake the issuing of an
annual report until the funds for paying for it are in hand. I would
renew my suggestion of last year that a proper committee be authorized
to take measures for collecting the funds necessary for this purpose.
During the past year a few of the members voluntarily constituted
themselves a committee and succeeded in collecting a considerable sum
from advertisements which appeared in the report.
It would certainly be a pity to interrupt the regular appearance of the
report of our annual meeting.
Seventy-five new members were added during the year, or rather during
the nine months elapsed since the meeting at Washington. Since the
organisation of the Association 212 persons have become members. We
have now 132 paid-up members. I feel certain that some of those who have
not paid up do not desire to sever their connection with the
Association. There have been but three resignations, one of whom gave as
his reason "persistent knocking by members of the Association of pecan
promotions in the South." No death among our members have come to the
secretary's knowledge.
Many new members came in at the Washington meeting. A number of others
joined as a result of the publicity given the Association by several
articles from the pen of one of the members which appeared in various
publications. A still larger number appeared to be attracted by the
offer which the secretary took upon himself to make, of the two first
reports as a premium for new members on the payment simply of the
postage for forwarding them. This action of the secretary was generally
approved by the members of the executive committee, though there was
some criticism from one or two members of the Association. But it seemed
to the secretary better to make this attraction for new members, and to
get out the reports where they might do some good, rather than to have
so many of them sagging the beams in his attic. The secretary would
suggest that in the future he be authorized to offer a complete set of
the reports to all new life members, and to other new members the
opportunity to buy the back reports at a reduced sum, say 50 cents, or
even 25 cents each. This would give a little income toward the expenses
of the Association. The copies of our reports are assets and should be
realized on.
The field meeting held at the farm of Dr. Robert T. Morris at Stamford,
Connecticut, on August 4 was well attended and was instructive and
enjoyable. A full account of the meeting will appear in the _American
Nut Journal_.
The recent establishment of this journal, partly through the efforts of
members of the Association, is a cause for congratulation. We have once
more a high class and attractive monthly periodical in which to exchange
experiences and by which the public may be reached. Every member of the
Association should feel a personal interest in making this journal a
success and should seek the opportunity to send to the editor any items
of interest to nut growers. Anything relating to this subject is of
interest to the enthusiast. The more personal such a journal is made the
better. It should not be monopolized by the so-called experts. Everyone
interested in nut growing ought to feel it a duty, and consider it a
privilege, to communicate scraps of information, little suggestions and,
above all, questions and requests for information and advice. Even a
little controversy would add spice. Too much harmony becomes insipid.
This journal is as much for scrappers as for the men of peace. And, let
me quickly add, the women too, suffragists, suffragettes, and antis and
those who don't care. Twelve women are members of the Association and
women are going to take a large share in nut growing and find in it a
profitable and interesting occupation.
Arrangements are being made with the publishers of the _American Nut
Journal_ whereby membership in our Association may include subscription
to the _Journal_ at a very small increase in the cost of membership. If
we can offer membership and the _Journal_ for $2.50 in advance and the
back reports for 50 cents apiece, or the three reports for $1, and send
notice of this to our list of about a thousand correspondents, we ought
to increase considerably our membership and do good to the world.
Our rule that membership shall begin with the calendar year always gives
rise to some misunderstanding. Those who come in at the time of the
annual meeting, or between it and the end of the year, do not like to
pay another fee along in January. If there is no objection the secretary
will hereafter inform each applicant for membership that membership
expires with the calendar year, that membership may be taken out for the
present or the coming year, and that membership entitles necessarily
only to the publications issued during the year for which membership is
taken out. In other words the proceedings of this meeting will be
published in 1915 and members for 1914 will not be entitled to it unless
paid up for 1915.
The investigation of the Persian walnut trees in the East is still going
on but the results have not been collated.
I suggest the appointment of a committee to revise our constitution and
rules. These have so far served our purpose fairly well but, in the
opinion of the secretary, they now need modification and amplification.
I would recall to the attention of the members our present rule that all
papers read before it are the property of the Association.
In conclusion the secretary would like to ask each member to help
increase the prosperity and the usefulness of the Association by getting
new members, by getting advertisements for the annual report, and by
paying his annual dues promptly. It is a waste of any nut grower's time
to have to dun a lot of careless people.
THE PRESIDENT: The chair will now entertain a motion to approve the
secretary's report.
PROFESSOR SMITH: The Northern Nut Growers Association has been very
fortunate in many things and especially in its selection of a secretary.
The services he has so faithfully rendered are very much appreciated by
the Association, and I move the report be accepted.
[Seconded and carried. Also moved, seconded and carried that the
secretary be authorized to sell back numbers of the reports at a reduced
price.]
DR. VAN DUZEE: I would like to say that a most important thing has been
overlooked, and that is that the chair should appoint a committee to
lift the load of financing the work of the Association from the
secretary's shoulders.
THE PRESIDENT: It is very flattering to suggest that the chair is
competent to appoint that committee. Do you make it in the form of a
motion, Dr. Van Duzee?
DR. VAN DUZEE: Yes sir, I make that as a motion.
[Seconded and carried.]
Professor Close read the following report on score cards prepared by
Prof. E. R. Lake of the committee.
PROPOSED SCORE CARDS FOR JUDGING NUTS
_Score-Card (Plates, Trays or Cartons)--Black Walnuts, Butternuts and
Hickorynuts_
General Values:
Size 10
Form 5
Color 5
Shell Values:
Thinness 15
Cracking 20
Kernal Values:
Plumpness 5
Color 10
Flavor 10
Quality 20
---
100
Note: For insect or fungous injuries deduct 5-10 points.
_Score-Cards--Chestnuts_
General Values:
Size 20
Form 5
Color 10
Freedom from fuzz 10
Size of basal scar 10
Kernal Values:
Flavor 10
Quality of kernal 25
Thinness and quality of inner skin 10
-----
100
Note: For insect or fungous injuries deduct 5-20 points.
_Score-Card--Filberts_
General Values:
Size 15
Form 5
Color 5
Shell Values:
Thinness 15
Kernal Values:
Plumpness 10
Freedom from fibre 10
Color 5
Flavor 15
Quality 20
----
100
Note: For insect or fungous injuries deduct 5-10 points.
_Commercial Pecans_
General Values:
Size 20
Form 5
Color 5
Shell Values:
Thinness of shell 10
Cracking quality 20
Kernal Values:
Plumpness of kernal 20
Color of kernel 5
Quality 15
----
100
_Score-Card (Plates)--Persian Walnuts_
General Value:
Size 10
Form 10
Color 10
Shell Values:
Thinness of shell 10
Smoothness of shell 5
Sealing 10
Kernal Values:
Plumpness 5
Color 10
Flavor (sweetness, nuttyness) 10
Quality (crispness, richness) 20
----
100
Note: For insect or fungous injuries deduct 5-15 points.
* * * * *
DR. MORRIS: I would say that this is a very excellent system as a basis
for judging. We must at all times have in mind the idea of working to
keep the quality very high. The reason for that is because the tendency
has been in the other direction. Appearance has been rated very high,
especially on the Pacific Coast, which is one of the centers in nut
raising today. I observed, while on a trip from southern California to
Washington and Oregon, that people all spoke about the beauty of the
nuts, and said little of quality. They will show you great, handsome,
bleached nuts, and some of the very poorest in quality are the ones
about which they talk the most, and they recognize this fact among
themselves. I haven't been looked upon with favor when telling them
frankly that a certain walnut ought not to be put on the market at all
on account of its quality. They resented that attitude on my part, but
later when I was standing nearby I overheard rival walnut growers
talking to each other. One said to another, "That is a handsome walnut,
but you will have to hire an awful good talker to get it on the market."
They resented my criticism and my judgment but among themselves said,
"You have got to have an awful good talker to get that nut on the
market."
It is this matter of quality that must stand first among nuts as among
men. Many know that there is no better pecan than the San Saba. That is
standard for quality, yet it is not regarded as being so desirable as
some of the others because of its small size. We must always keep in
mind the quality rather than size and appearance. Of course, we like
things that look well but that side will be taken care of incidentally
in the course of the development of the subject.
PROFESSOR SMITH: Dr. Morris, I should like to ask you a few questions.
Is it not the same as it is in the apple and peach market? You know in
that appearance counts for a great deal. Are you sufficiently acquainted
with the subject to say we will be safe in growing a nut that is second
class in appearance but first class in quality?
DR. MORRIS: I am glad Professor Smith brought up that point. There is
just one way to approach the matter. Take a fine, handsome, large
English walnut, that has been bleached, and has lost quality in the
process. Growers have gone to a great deal of trouble to get it on the
market. Put alongside of it a small, thin-shelled, high quality walnut
that has not been bleached, and tell the dealer who is to sell those two
nuts that the great big handsome nut is to sell for 15 cents a pound,
and the ugly little one is to bring 30 cents a pound. That will attract
the attention of people to the good nuts. You can force people into
having good sense, through the exercise of a bit of dexterity in applied
psychology.
THE PRESIDENT: Dr. Morris's remarks are very well taken, because nuts
are to be eaten and not to be looked at. Is there any further discussion
on this subject? If not, we will pass to the next.
THE SECRETARY: The next thing on the program is the appointment of
committees. The advisability of amending the constitution and rules has
been already referred to. They have served our purpose pretty well up to
now but we have outgrown them. In order to expedite matters and get to
the real business of this Association, as this constitution is going to
be amended anyway, I would like to move that the rules about the
appointment of committees be suspended and that the chair be authorized
to appoint the necessary committees. This includes the committees which
the rules direct shall be elected, but that takes a long time and I
move that the chair appoint these different committees.
THE PRESIDENT: Do I hear a second to that motion?
A MEMBER: I second the motion.
THE PRESIDENT: It has been moved and seconded that the rules requiring
that these committees be elected be suspended, and the chair be
authorized to appoint the different committees. The chair holds that it
will take three fourths of the members present to suspend the rules. Is
there any discussion about this?
MEMBERS: We are ready for the question.
THE PRESIDENT: All in favor of the motion made by Dr. Deming, make it
known by saying aye.
[Vote taken.]
THE PRESIDENT: Those opposed, by the same sign.
[None.]
THE PRESIDENT: The motion is carried that the chair appoint the
different committees, and they will be announced at the proper time.
The next thing on the program is a paper by the President. I will ask
Dr. Morris to take the chair while I read what I have to say.
STATUS AND POSSIBILITIES OF NUT CULTURE IN THE NORTH
T. P. LITTLEPAGE, WASHINGTON, D. C.
The purpose of the Northern Nut Growers Association is to stimulate the
production of nuts in the North. We distinguish the North from the South
in this regard not because we feel any less interest in the nut industry
in the South. The man who once becomes a nut enthusiast is no respecter
of Mason's and Dixon's Line or any other line that separates him from an
interesting nut tree or from a section in which nuts may be successfully
grown. His local interest, however, will naturally be around his own
dooryard and neighborhood. So we speak of northern nut culture and
northern nut trees because we live in the North and because this is the
section of the United States that needs at the present time the most
intelligent direction. The South has been forging ahead for a number of
years in this field. In fact, pecan culture promises to become second
only to the cotton industry in many sections of that country and
interest in its possibilities has attracted to it many conscientious,
able and prominent horticulturists who are today engaged in pecan
growing in the South and who are doing much to put the pecan industry on
an honest and intelligent basis. These men have become specialists in
the pecan industry and they know more about it than we do in the North.
Consequently they do not need our assistance, even if we were able to
give it, and, therefore, without any fear of our being criticised for
using the adjective "northern" we can limit our investigations and
discussions to nut culture in the northern part of the United States
with a full knowledge that our southern brethren can take care of
themselves, and, in addition, can render us much valuable assistance
which assistance we most cheerfully invite.
At this point, however, in connection with the use of the terms
"northern" and "southern," it may be relevant to make a few observations
as to the possibilities in either section. While it is true that the
South has a long start of the North in pecan culture, yet the North
affords an opportunity for the cultivation of nuts which is not possible
in the South. The South is today the home of the delicious varieties of
pecan which are a delight to the consumer and a source of fascination
and profit to the intelligent producer, but it must be remembered that
the northern pecan belt has many excellent varieties that are "good
enough." In addition to this, the North is the home of the black walnut,
the fine shagbark hickory, the butternut, the chestnut, the hazel-nut,
and the chinkapin, and is also adapted to the hardy varieties of the
English and Japanese walnuts. All of the nuts just named certainly offer
an ample field for our interest and enthusiasm, and, in addition to the
keen delight which comes from the successful growing of these trees,
there is a possibility of profit which I do not think is excelled in any
horticultural undertaking today.
First then, what word of advice or instruction can the Northern Nut
Growers Association bring to the prospective nut grower which will be of
help? For, after all, the success or failure of this association depends
largely upon its ability to help the grower or prospective grower.
Before we undertake to give suggestions about the development and
culture of nut orchards or to make prophecies as to possibilities, let
us stop and take stock for a moment of the present status of the nut
industry in the North and consider what we have to build upon and what
materials we have with which to work. Mistakes have been made in the
past by the prospective nut growers because they did not stop to
consider the possibilities of the nuts that were native in their own
locality, but looked abroad for something else. This is characteristic
of many people. "Distant fields look green," and, of all the imported
nut trees, none except the English walnut have been of any success here
whatever, while, in one instance at least, their importation has
resulted in introducing into this country the fatal chestnut blight,
which probably came in on uninspected stock from Japan. We have better
native chestnuts in this country than any foreign chestnut and the
blunder of trying to get something different is costing the country
millions of dollars through the scourge of the chestnut blight, which
threatens to wipe out the industry. It reminds me of the epitaph on the
tombstone which read: "I was well and wanted to be better, took medicine
and here I am." Therefore, let us consider what nuts we have worth
while.
_The Pecan_
First, we have the northern pecan which is native in certain portions of
a belt approximately 150 miles wide, with Evansville, Indiana, on the
38th parallel, as the center. I do not mean to say that the pecan will
succeed in all portions of the northern half of this belt or that it may
not succeed in many sections farther north. The question of climate, as
modified by proximity to oceans and large bodies of water or as made
more rigid by absence of these protections, may decrease or increase the
latitude at which the pecan can be successfully grown. The orange, for
instance, is one of the tenderest fruits and yet, on the western coast,
orange groves are flourishing at the same latitude as Philadelphia,
which is nearly on the 40th parallel, although it is unnecessary to say
that an orange grove would not survive within four or five hundred miles
of the 40th parallel any place else except on the favored western coast.
The southern varieties of pecans will not flourish in the north and we
do not know whether the northern varieties will flourish in the South.
The pecan is a hickory and the northern trees are very hardy and
thrifty. Many varieties have been discovered the last few years which
are thought to be worthy of propagating. Among them are the "Indiana"
and "Busseron," from near Oaktown, Knox County, Indiana; the "Niblack,"
from Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana; the "Warrick," "Green River,"
"Major," "Kentucky," and "Posey," all from the Evansville section; the
"Norton" from Clarksville, Missouri, and several other varieties.
_English Walnut_
The next most important nut, and probably competing very closely with
the pecan for popular favor, is the English walnut, which is perhaps
the only nut that has been successfully imported for growing. Since the
earliest Colonial days, seedling nuts have been brought from France,
Germany and other parts of Europe and have been planted up and down the
Atlantic Coast. Most of the trees from these plantings have not been
able to permanently withstand climatic conditions, but, scattered here
and there throughout the North and East, are individual trees of
apparent hardiness which bear nuts in size and quality comparing
favorably with the English walnuts we see on the market. Among the
various hardy varieties of the English walnut are the "Rush" and "Nebo,"
from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, introduced by Mr. J. G. Rush, the
pioneer propagator in the Eastern States. Another is the "Hall" from the
shores of Lake Erie, the "Pomeroy" from Lockport, N. Y., a short
distance from Niagara Falls; the "Rumford" from Wilmington, Del.; the
"Ridgway" from Lumberton, N. J.; the "Holden" from Hilton, N. Y.; the
"Boston" from Massachusetts; the "Potomac," "Barnes" and "Weaver" from
Washington, D. C.; and a number of other varieties. The location of the
parent trees just named will give some idea of the probable hardiness of
these varieties.
_Shagbark Hickory_
The thin-shelled shagbark hickory is a nut that is coming more and more
into favor and is well worthy of propagation. The first shagbark
recognized as a distinct variety was the "Hales," located and named by
Henry Hales of Ridgwood, N. J., about 1874. This is a very large,
attractive, thin-shelled nut, but has been somewhat superseded by other
and superior shagbarks. Dr. Robert T. Morris of New York has been making
a systematic search for several years for trees bearing shagbarks of
high quality and merit, and has been very successful in bringing a
number of such nuts to public attention, including the "Taylor" and
"Cook." The "Swaim" from South Bend, Ind., is an excellent shagbark; the
"Weiker," from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; the "Kirtland," from New
England; the "Rice," from Illinois; and another very superior and fine
shagbark from northern Kentucky which was brought to public attention by
R. L. McCoy of Lake, Ind.
_Black Walnuts_
Throughout the whole north are tens of thousands of seedling black
walnuts, many of which are of excellent quality, but, so far as is
known, there are but two recognized varieties, the "Thomas," introduced
during the eighties and propagated to a limited extent, and another from
Lamont, Mich.
_Butternut_
The butternut is also quite common in much of the same territory as is
the black walnut and even in regions farther north, but, so far as I
have knowledge, not a single variety has been named.
_Japanese Walnuts_
Seedlings of two species of Japanese walnuts are quite common along the
Atlantic Coast and as far inland as the Mississippi River. They are also
grown on the Pacific Coast to some extent, but apparently no varieties
have been recognized.
Another nut which is confused with the Japanese walnut is botanically
known as Juglans Mandshurica. In character of growth the tree quite
resembles the Japanese species, but the nut resembles more our American
butternut and sometimes they are confused. A short time ago a gentleman
in New Jersey who had planted some nuts of the Japanese varieties later
cut down the mature trees because he thought they were American
butternuts.
_Hazel-nuts_
It is never safe to use the term "hazel" without explaining that it
correctly applies also to the species brought from Europe and more
commonly called filberts. According to the late Mr. Fuller, the Germans
discriminated between hazels and filberts entirely by the shape of the
husk. A nut having a husk which extended and came together beyond the
end of the nut was called filbert, meaning beard. Those having shorter
and more open husks, so that the nut protruded, were called hazels after
the German word "hassel,"--hood, in English. It will readily be seen
that once the nuts were separated from the husks, it would be impossible
by their classification to determine whether they were hazels or
filberts. The Americans generally accept the use of the term hazel to
apply to both the American and European species.
In the early history of our country extensive and persistent efforts
were made to introduce the European hazels, and no wonder, for of all
nut trees this species seems to yield most readily to garden culture.
They are readily capable of adapting themselves to most any kind of soil
and even to rocky ledges which would be impossible to cultivate. They
attain their greatest perfection in good soil and, under proper
cultivation, the trees come into bearing early and the nuts mature early
in the fall, well in advance of other species. The hazel, however, like
the chestnut has met with a fatal disease. It is a blight which seems to
exist everywhere except on the native species, which are so far immune
as to show little or none of its effects. The American hazels, however,
act as host plants to the blight, which thus quickly spreads, with fatal
results, to the European species. Of all the plantings which have been
made during the past one hundred and fifty years, it is safe to say that
there are less than half a dozen hazel orchards in the eastern states
which have not succumbed. It seems quite probable that a golden
opportunity is awaiting someone who is willing to go through the forests
of our eastern states, especially those in lower New England, in search
of individual hazels from which to propagate new varieties. Among the
heavy bearing shrubs, which exist in the section referred to, it is
certain that many hazels could be found well worth propagating.
* * * * *
Turning now from this brief history of northern nut trees, let us
consider the future of the industry as viewed in the light of sound
theory and actual observation. It is unnecessary to present any argument
why nut trees should be planted. Nuts afford the highest grade food
known to science. They are wholesome, healthful, strengthening,--in
fact, without a single objectionable feature so far as I know as an
article of food and, when one considers that food is the basis of human
existence, no further argument is necessary to warrant interest in one
of the best foods known.
Then how shall we advise the prospective grower of a nut orchard? First,
let him determine what kinds of nuts thrive in his vicinity. The
prospective grower in the latitude of Evansville can indulge himself to
his heart's content, for he can grow successfully the pecan, English
walnut, black walnut, butternut, hazel and, up to date, the chestnut.
But, success in growing any of these trees depends upon proper
information, proper varieties, proper soil and proper care. Suppose a
man, in the Evansville latitude, for instance, desires a pecan orchard.
What should he do? His quickest way, if he has wild seedling pecan trees
growing on his farm, would be to have the wild trees top-worked to
well-known varieties. If he has no seedling trees, then his next best
plan is to purchase budded trees of good varieties from some honest
nurseryman, set them not less than sixty feet apart and cultivate and
care for them. Will they grow around fence corners and creek banks? Yes,
if you have plenty of time to wait. They will not, however, be in a
hurry, and it may be your grandchildren who will gather the nuts. But, a
cultivated orchard of budded pecan trees of the right varieties ought to
come into commercial bearing as soon as does an apple orchard. Mr. W. C.
Reed of Vincennes reports Busserons that were budded fourteen months
ago setting as high as sixteen nuts this year. That is, the second
summer after they were budded. If the trees are of the right varieties,
well cultivated, in good soil, and if you care enough for them to throw
some fertilizer around them, they will please you by their growth and
soon become very profitable.
Now suppose one wants an orchard of English walnuts. Almost identically
the same instructions hold true. If you have wild black walnut seedlings
on your farm, by all means have them top-worked to fine varieties of
English walnut, for the black walnut is the best root for the English
walnut. If you have no seedling trees, go to some reputable nurseryman
and buy known varieties of hardy English walnuts budded on hardy black
walnut stocks. Set them not less than fifty feet apart and cultivate and
care for them. Mr. Rush reports one of his budded Rush trees four years
old bearing fifty-seven walnuts this year. I saw a Rush in Washington
City the other day, two years old, carrying about a dozen walnuts; also
a Hall, of the same age, carrying about the same number. Both trees were
thrifty and not much over waist high, and every terminal twig had from
one to two nuts on it.
If you have wild hickory trees growing on your farm, have them
top-worked by the slip-bark or budding method to fine varieties of
shagbarks. In the absence of wild hickories, I believe the future will
prove that the next best method of starting an orchard of budded
shagbark hickories is to buy them budded on hardy northern pecan stocks.
The hickory is not the best stock for the pecan because it is of slower
growth, and for the same reason the pecan ought to be the better stock
for the hickory. But the hickory does not grow as rapidly as does the
English walnut or the pecan and requires more patience.
The hazels are going to afford a great field for the nut grower, as they
are native to a wide territory embracing the Middle West, the North and
the East, and ought to be profitable. A few years ago I found a very
fine large hazel growing on my farm in Warrick County, Indiana. I dug up
some of the roots of this bush and planted them in my garden at
Boonville, and in three years they were bearing fine clusters of hazels
larger than those borne by the parent bush. I think farmers would find
it profitable to set out hedges of native hazel bushes around their
fields and fences and on hillsides.
Butternuts, black walnuts and beechnuts also offer a fertile field for
experiment. Any varieties of butternut or black walnut can be
propagated by budding or top-grafting them on seedling stocks.
I should like to suggest that every farmer in the nut growing belt set
aside at least ten acres of land for a nut orchard. It will give him a
new interest in life and afford him more pleasure and relief from the
ordinary monotony of farm work, I believe, than any other line of work
he can pursue. If Ponce de Leon had planted a nut orchard in this
country instead of wasting his time searching for the fountain of
perpetual youth he could have spent his old days in interesting,
profitable and fascinating work instead of in despair and
disappointment.
But some of the practical questions asked are, "What is the cost of a
nut orchard?" and, "How soon will it bear?" and "What will it be worth
when it does bear?" No man can answer these questions with any degree of
certainty, for everything that man attempts has its drawbacks and
disadvantages. First-class budded nut trees cost from one to two dollars
apiece. The balance of the cost depends largely upon the intelligence
and efficiency of the labor applied in setting and cultivating. When
will they bear? That depends altogether upon who owns them. If properly
cared for they will begin setting some nuts in a few years and will
increase the crop as the years go by. A pecan tree ought to bear
successfully for fifty years--possibly longer, and ought to be bearing
nicely in eight years if properly cared for. But, success depends upon
the care and intelligence with which the original selection of trees and
soil is made, and upon proper cultivation. I have set an orchard of
northern varieties of pecans budded from the parent trees in the
Evansville section on my farm in Maryland this spring. The land cost me
sixty dollars per acre. When they are ten years old they ought to be
worth at least five hundred dollars per acre. I do not know how much
more this grove of nut trees will be worth in ten years, but I would not
option them at the present time for that price. I have about the same
confidence in the English walnut.
I have always been conservative on these matters and always expect to be
because in conservatism lies safety. These figures I have given you are
merely my personal opinion. I have seen pecan groves ten and fifteen
years old for which I would not have given any more than the land was
worth on which they were growing. If any one has a notion that he can
make money in nut culture, without intelligent exertion, he had better
go into some other line of business in which there are men having a fair
degree of success with unintelligent effort. I know of no nut grove in
the whole United States that is succeeding without intelligent
application, and on the other hand I do not know of a single grove which
with intelligent application is not succeeding. I am a
"conservative-optimist." I have been talking nut culture for a number of
years and expect to see every hope and estimate which I have expressed
fulfilled, and after all has been said and considered my final advice is
to _Plant Nut Trees_.
* * * * *
THE PRESIDENT: The chair invites a very active discussion of this paper.
PROFESSOR SMITH: It would be unkind to criticize so very instructive an
address but there is one thing laid down in that paper I wish to speak
about. I believe we were told we must cultivate our nut trees. I believe
the fact is that in the greater portion of the United States, we can
grow trees, even nut trees, without cultivation. If anybody doesn't
believe that, go to Washington by the Chesapeake Railroad and you will
see thousands of walnut trees along the way. I believe the human race
can grow trees on a hillside without cultivation, and I want to suggest
to persons putting out nut trees to put out a few in places where they
don't have to be plowed, and see if they don't get good results.
Cultivation is not a fundamental element of agriculture or plant life,
but is the quick way to get results.
In many places in Ohio the state experimental work in horticulture,
especially that carried on by F. H. Ballou, has done some wonderful
things in waking up apple orchards that had not grown a quarter of an
inch in years. Merely giving them food has caused them to wake up and
bear. I have seen them, and know. The books say that while apples may
grow without cultivation, peach trees _must_ be cultivated in order to
bear. I have peach trees that are three years old in a rocky piece of
ground. I can't plow it but I have fed some of the peach trees and a few
I did not, that is not much, and the ones that were fed as they should
be are much the biggest and are bearing well. My point is this, keep the
grass well scraped away to prevent trunk injury, and feed even a peach
tree and it will do well. I think the same is true of the nut tree.
Whether a tree that is set out, liberally fed, and the grass kept away
will do as well without cultivation, is a subject worthy of your
consideration and experiment.
THE PRESIDENT: The chair especially desires to call attention to Dr.
Smith's remarks because he has made a very careful study of this
question and his suggestions are worthy of very great consideration. I
have talked these things over with him a great deal and I commend his
remarks especially to the Association for discussion.
DR. MORRIS: In connection with the matter of cultivation I would also
like to have Mr. Reed discuss that. I want to say, however, that, in
using fertilizers, you will often very easily overdo the matter.
Sometimes in my experience professionally, I give a patient medicine
enough to last a week, with directions that a teaspoonful be taken twice
a day, and the patient may believe if she takes the entire bottle at one
dose she will be well in an hour, and consequently suffer from an
overdose. That same idea is sometimes carried out in the fertilization
of trees by horticulturists. You don't intend to do it but sometimes you
can kill with kindness and be too good in feeding your trees if you
don't understand how much fertilization the tree needs. That is the
idea, you have got to give your trees the ratio that they need. If you
give them too much pie or pudding, your trees will have indigestion and
will not thrive and may die. I have lost a great many good trees, and a
great many nut trees, and have checked the growth of a great many by not
realizing this. I wish Mr. Reed would speak to us about it.
MR. POTTER: I want to state some experience I have had and when Mr. Reed
talks, I wish he would give me some information. I set out some pecan
trees on my lawn in the front yard, and of course there is not much
cultivation there except around the trees. It is like most other lawns
in southern Illinois, mostly clay and what other soil we put on top. Now
the clay is very hard and in setting the trees I had my man dig a hole
three feet deep and two feet across and in setting the trees I packed
good dirt around them. The question is how should I feed those trees? I
have put barn manure around them and they are now growing and doing very
nicely, I want to know if I have pursued the right course.
MR. MCCOY: I believe this question of growing trees in fence corners and
on hillsides is not so large a question. The main thing is to give them
plenty of water. There is very little land in the Mississippi valley
that won't grow pecan trees or most any other kind, if you will give
them sufficient mulch and plenty of water, because they take their food
in the form of soup. Unless they have water, they won't grow. I believe
the best cultivation you can give a tree of any kind is a good mulch of
straw and manure. You that have had experience in this part of the
country know that is the best way to cultivate trees.
I grew a peach orchard once in one year, but I have quit that, I have
learned better. It is simply a question of water and plant food. If you
will mulch any kind of a tree, nut tree or any kind, with ten or fifteen
inches of straw and stable manure, you will have a steady growth from
early spring until late in the fall, and it will make a strong tree.
PROFESSOR SMITH: While we are waiting for Mr. Reed I want to take up Mr.
McCoy's soup suggestion. Water doesn't make good soup without something
in it. Experiments show that you can mulch ground in some places and not
wake up the tree, but fertilizer will wake it up the first year.
MR. POTTER: What kind of fertilizer did you use?
PROFESSOR SMITH: One must experiment to see what his land is short on.
Sometimes you can fertilize your trees without any result. Sometimes
potash will not do any good and sometimes it will. You will have to see
what your ground needs. For young apple trees I found in my particular
situation that nitrate of soda is all I want. I have what is called a
Porter's clay soil on the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. I use that
and then my trees get busy and grow. They make rapid growth even the
first season with a handful of nitrate and for my three year old trees
half a pound is enough. That is what my soil seems to need and we must
use what the soil is short on. That is my interpretation of my situation
and it works.
THE PRESIDENT: Who can tell us whether nitrate of soda is good for nut
trees? Can you, Mr. Simpson?
MR. SIMPSON: In the South, we do not think so.
THE PRESIDENT: The reason I asked, is that I have been studying that. I
wrote Mr. Potter a letter suggesting that he use some on his young nut
trees to see what it would do, and later I found out that all through
the South it was not regarded as desirable. It seems they claim it
starts pecan trees into an active growth but when they stop they make a
very sudden stop and don't start growing any more. I want to get this in
the record right here. You understand that is the general belief
throughout the South, do you not?
MR. SIMPSON: Yes sir, it is not considered good.
THE PRESIDENT: Dr. Smith has made a very careful study of fruit trees
and knows its effect on them from experiments, but it is well perhaps to
consider fruit and nut trees separately.
PROFESSOR SMITH: I should suggest to anybody who is thinking of working
with trees, to get some seedling pecans and plant them and then
fertilize some of them and others not, in the same kind of soil. In
that way he can get his own fertilizer conclusions at a small expense
and then he will know what his own soil needs.
MR. MCCOY: We fertilized seedling pecans in a clay soil and we decided
the trees we did not fertilize got along better than the ones we did. Of
course that ground is better where the trees are than on the average
farm. We used nitrate of soda and potash but we decided the ones we
didn't fertilize did the best.
MR. POTTER: I put two pounds of nitrate of soda around each tree and the
English walnuts I used it on budded out very shortly after using it, but
along about June they died. The pecan trees we used it around grew
fairly well, but some of them, one in particular, appeared to remain
dormant, almost, until about two months ago when it commenced growing
and is now growing very rapidly. So you see I don't know where I am at.
THE PRESIDENT: In writing you I did not understand the size of the tree.
On some trees I have been using a tablespoonful, about that, and I was
afraid I got too much.
MR. POTTER: Evidently I got too much.
THE PRESIDENT: Evidently we got mixed up on the quantity. I know I never
used more than two tablespoonfuls at any time and I should imagine two
pounds would be a big overdose. I remember talking to Dr. Smith about
that time about some old apple trees around which you can use five or
six pounds of nitrate of soda and I suppose that is the way we got mixed
up. I must have had that in mind as I did not intend to advise that
amount for young nut trees.
MR. POMEROY: How long a season should the tree keep growing? From early
spring to late in the fall? My experience is they will stop about the
first of August, and let the wood ripen up and harden for the cold
weather. Some might keep the trees growing longer, but you will hurt the
trees I think.
THE PRESIDENT: We have not heard from Mr. Reed yet.
MR. C. A. REED: I am glad the discussion has proceeded as it has since
it has given me time to reconnoitre. I hardly know what to say on this
subject that Professor Smith has brought up. I guess he knows what he is
talking about so far as his experiments have taught him. The department
does not like to discourage a good thing nor to encourage a thing that
is too risky. There is one thing quite sure and that is that so long as
nut trees are selling for from one dollar to two dollars apiece, very
few people are going to buy them and plant many of them on these
hillsides and experiment with them. People cannot afford to do that. We
have found, taking the country over, that nut trees thrive best when
they are given treatment; that is they must be given cultivation and
fertilization; be given some degree of attention the same as an apple or
peach orchard. Colonel Sober, however, will show you quite a different
thing. He will show you chestnut trees that are not cultivated at all,
so there is a staggering blow to my argument, and yet Colonel Sober gets
something like three and a half bushels to the tree. You don't fertilize
those trees, do you, Colonel Sober?
COLONEL SOBER: No sir, not at all. Haven't yet.
MR. REED: So there is an argument that silences me and still it is true
that we can't safely plant hickories and pecans without some degree of
cultivation. I don't think Professor Smith has planted any on these
hills.
Still we all agree with Professor Smith in a way. Something ought to be
done to the surface to prevent the land from washing, and there is no
better way of doing that than by planting trees. Then the roots will
prevent washing and they can take care of themselves better than a
surface crop. Especially is this true on the hillsides, so there is a
good deal in Professor Smith's argument. And yet there is the danger
that those trees will be infected with disease and insects. On plants
and trees that are attended to and cultivated we find those pests will
be kept in check. So there are two sides to that argument.
PROFESSOR SMITH: The point I raised was this, that it is possible in
some places to attain by fertilization the advantage that comes by
cultivation in other places. Great things have been done without
fertilization. There are chestnut orchards in Corsica of grafted trees,
ranging from the size of my wrist to eighteen to twenty feet in
circumference. They have not been fertilized in centuries, and they
yield enough to support the entire population.
THE PRESIDENT: We would like to hear from Col. Van Duzee, and I want to
say that, as President of the National Nut Growers Association, he is
well acquainted with these things. I commend him to you and promise that
whatever he may have to say to you is worthy of your very careful
consideration. I have the honor to belong to the association of which he
is the president, and know it is seldom we have an opportunity to hear
men like him.
COL. VAN DUZEE: Gentlemen, I am going to side step this argument for I
do not think it worth while taking up the time. We are here for other
purposes. Personal experiences are not the general rule because each
one's experience differs from that of others. We might all tell our
personal experiences and after we were all through we would not have
accomplished anything. I want to take you back to the point from which
we started this, in order to know what we are talking about. To
illustrate what I want to say to you, we can take the root pasture of a
tree and analyze it in every possible way so as to bring to bear upon it
the best judgment we have from all sources. The tree grown upon a
hillside has a root pasture which is entirely different in many ways
from the root pasture in the river bottoms. If we have a tree growing on
a hillside in a soil that easily transmits moisture and it gives that
tree constantly a stream of pure water going through its root system,
and there happens to be enough fertility in that vicinity, that moisture
is impregnated with plant food, and the tree will get all it wants. You
can't speak in the same breath of the tree growing in the river bottoms
whose entire root pasture is entirely different. The root pasture may
become contaminated by various things which may cause, so to speak,
ptomaine poison. Therefore I say that every locality, every soil, every
climatic condition, every variety of tree must be taken as individual.
What would be good for an apple orchard in Virginia might be fatal to an
apple orchard immediately south of Lake Brie in Ohio. The use of
commercial fertilizer that would be good in one locality would be bad in
another. Therefore I disapprove of this kind of a discussion, because we
are not speaking to a definite point. I want to bring your minds to this
point, that every individual tree and its locality, and the man that is
responsible for its welfare, must be analyzed before you can speak
intelligently about what must be done.
I am going to tell you the same story I told the societies at Pharoa,
Alabama. They wanted me to talk on this subject and I said, "You remind
me of a backwoods character I have come in contact with in the woods of
Florida who is ill and doesn't know what is the matter with him. He
knows he needs medicine and he goes down to the general store and buys a
bottle of patent medicine recommended by the groceryman and he takes it
and maybe it helps him and maybe it don't, but if he don't get better he
goes and gets advice from some other man like the grocer." I said, "That
is the way you are demonstrating fertilizer." The first thing I would
advise would be this: to analyze the individual pasture of the
individual tree and take everything that enters into the history of that
tree and everything that bears upon it. All the accumulated wisdom of
others won't help us very much. We have to use common horse sense. We
can't talk about these things generally. In poor soil and under bad
conditions the pecan tree will do nothing. There are trees I know
twenty-six or twenty-seven years old that are not as large as my wrist,
that have never borne a nut and never will. I can also show you trees in
that immediate vicinity, planted at the same time from the same nuts
with favorable conditions, that are seventy or eighty feet high and
bearing good crops of nuts. Those nuts came out of the same bag the same
day, and were planted by the same man in the same locality, and that
proves, as I have said before, that you cannot discuss things of this
kind in general terms and it is a waste of the time of the association
to do so. I would be glad to answer definite questions as to definite
points.
THE PRESIDENT. The next will be a talk by Dr. R. T. Morris of New York.
DR. MORRIS: Mr. Chairman, and Members of the Association: My subject
relates to personal experiences with hybridization work. This is work
which is to be done more and more by various members of our association,
and we are thus to create new species of trees. Nature's whole endeavor
is to preserve the mean type among races of organisms. There are mutants
among all trees, among the hickories and walnuts, as well as among the
peaches and pears. In fact all species undergo mutation. We select the
most desirable mutants and we try to fix a given type by grafting and
propagating. Seedlings will go back toward the mean type. The mean type
hickory, walnut or chestnut is the type that nature wishes to preserve,
but these are not best for man's purposes. What is best in nature's plan
is not always best in man's plan. We have got to dynamite nature. We
have got to put a charge of dynamite under nature's seat and blow her
up, in order to get what we want for our own purposes. How do we do it?
How do we break up the mean type of a variety or species? By crossing
the flowers and bringing together the parents we wish to unite in the
hope of growing new forms, among which will be some that are
particularly desirable for our purposes.
Now in doing this work, I have had to get by experience a number of
points which will be of value to members of this association. First, in
regard to collecting pollen. Sometimes species, which we wish to cross,
flower at widely different times. They bloom perhaps two or three or
four or even six weeks apart, and it is a question how long we can keep
the pollen viable. What can we do about it? There are two good ways.
First, get your branches of male flowers before they are open, put them
in cold storage, or in an ice house, or in a dark room, and keep them
anywhere from one to six weeks dormant. When you want to use them, and
your trees of the pistillate flowers are ready, take the branches of
staminate flowers out of the ice house and put them in jars of water in
a warm room in the sunshine. They will blossom and make good pollen
shortly. Another way is through correspondents living at a distance.
These correspondents will send you pollen from a species which blossoms
later further north or earlier further south, at the time which you wish
for your pistillate flowers. For instance, in crossing chinkapins with
oaks, the chinkapins will blossom about the 12th of June in Connecticut
but most of the oaks are through blossoming by the 12th of May. There we
have a month's difference. How can I use oak pollen upon my chinkapin
trees? I do this by sending away up to the northern limits of the growth
of the oak tree, up in Canada. The red oak tree blossoms there in June,
the same species that blossoms with me early in May. Pecan pollen that I
wish to use upon shagbarks and walnuts I get from Texas. Now how are we
to keep pollen when we have collected it, if we are not ready to use it
immediately? I have had pollen sent to me from a distance in tightly
corked bottles. It was probably ruined at the end of three or four days,
because it could not breathe. Every grain of pollen has to breathe just
as surely as a red squirrel in the top of a tree has to breathe. The
pollen grain is a living organism, and if it is sent in a closely corked
bottle it smothers and dies. You must have it sent in paper or wooden
boxes in order to have it in good condition when it arrives, and it must
be kept in a cool place, not too dry and not too damp. If it is kept in
a place that is too damp, various fungi appear, and begin to attack it
at once. If it is too dry, it loses its water content, and its
protoplasm does not make combination with that of the other flower. So
we must keep our pollen in a cool place, not too dry, not too warm and
not too moist, and where it can breathe. We may put it in cold storage
but not at a temperature below freezing. We may put it into the cold
storage which florists use, and keep it for a long while. Some pollen
will keep, viable for three weeks, under these conditions, possibly
longer. It is important to keep your pollen boxes open at the top. They
must be kept where the wind doesn't blow your pollen from one box to
another. I had not been impressed by that point until this year. I had
eight different kinds of pollen about the farm house, in different
rooms, in order to be sure to keep them far apart. One day on my arrival
from town ready for pollenating a number of trees, I found that a very
neat housekeeper had found it undesirable to keep such boxes scattered
about in so many places. She had put them all neatly together in a
closet on one shelf, and there was none of the pollen that I could use,
because the wind had mixed the kinds all up. I had eight kinds of pollen
across which one kind of wind had blown.
There is one practical point in cross pollenizing flowers that I have
recently learned. Pollen of one variety may not combine with the ovule
of another variety or species but may stimulate the ovule to go on and
develop all alone, without taking to itself the added pollen. That is a
very important point, and possibly a new point. I was deceived, and
reported that I had crosses of certain trees, and that such hybrids were
growing. I knew that the flowers of parent trees had been properly
protected from their own pollen. Now when these young trees are two
years of age, I find they are true to one parent type; so true that they
are evidently not hybrids. They have developed from the pistillate
parent only. In ordinary parthenogenesis the fruit grows without any
pollen influence at all. This forced parthenogenesis which I have
described seems to be a phenomenon with which botanists are unfamiliar.
Until I learn that it has been described and named by others I shall
call it Allergic Parthenogenesis (Allos, ergon). The pistillate flowers
accept absolutely no pollen, but go on and develop because of its
impulse given. In cross pollenizing flowers, I find one point of great
practical consequence. When covering the female flowers with paper bags
to protect them from their own pollen you give protection to a great
number of insects. The insects remain inside these bags and destroy the
leaves and flowers. They are protected there from their enemies,
predatory insects and the birds. When the bags are taken off, perhaps a
week later, for the purpose of adding pollen to pistillate flowers,
insects may have destroyed the leaves and even the flowers.
Consequently, I find it best to sprinkle the leaves with Persian insect
powder and to put some of it in the bags that are to cover the flowers.
Insects can't live in an atmosphere of this insect powder. They sneeze
themselves to death. I have taken the bags from leaves and flowers which
were so badly injured by insects you could distinguish them at a
considerable distance. Those are all the points that I jotted down for
this address today, but no doubt many other points will be brought out
in the subsequent discussion.
MR. MCCOY: I would like to inquire how far it is possible under a
microscopic examination to determine the species of the pollen.
DR. MORRIS: It is possible to determine the species but not the variety
so far as I know. It may be possible to determine a variety but I don't
know the extent to which that is possible, from microscopic examination
of the pollen. If we wish to know whether pollen is still good or not we
may in twenty-four or forty-eight hours cause it to "sprout," and in
that way know whether it is viable and good. We may save ourselves a
good deal of trouble by making this examination and determining whether
or not a given lot of pollen is viable before putting it on the flowers.
We can cause it to sprout in a sugar solution.
THE SECRETARY: What is the strength of the sugar solution?
DR. MORRIS: That is technical work and must be done by a plant
physiologist. He will do it for us at the State Agricultural College and
telegraph his report.
MR. DORR: Is this work you have outlined of sufficient definiteness to
get results? That is the important thing. We farmers sometimes discover
a plan accidentally that will outclass anything we can get in an
agricultural college.
DR. MORRIS: That is very important. We are to produce nuts that are
better, and also in greater quantities. The question if hybridizing work
is valuable has been already answered in the case of roses and soft
fruits. Our best types are largely the ones which have been secured by
hybridization and the same will be true of nuts. The subject has not
been so largely taken up as yet with nuts. Very few of us are doing with
nuts what has been done with other fruits.
THE PRESIDENT: The chair wishes to say that the members of this
association have a very great and rare opportunity to secure information
on this subject. Dr. Morris has made a very careful study of it.
DR. MORRIS: The more study I make, the less I seem to know. Consequently
I shall be very modest in my replies.
MR. DORR: I have been working with different things and find so many
things I can't get at the truth. In the last year I have made
experiments in breeding cattle to get colors, and I was agreeably
surprised with my own success. I want to know if you can get similar
results. I can observe the results so readily that I know exactly how I
get them.
DR. MORRIS: As a general statement the same thing you get from working
with animals we may expect to get in working with plants. The protoplasm
of plants is now known to act like that of animals, but not quite so
quickly or freely in response to cultural methods. We can breed to size
and breed to quality and character of fruit, and we find we may do with
plants just about what we do with animals, only not quite so quickly,
because animal protoplasm responds more readily.
MR. W. C. REED: I would like to ask if in a cross between the Persian
walnut and the shagbark hickory there is a cross pollenization, or is it
an increased vitality given by the pollen? Is there really a cross
there?
DR. MORRIS: I made one cross between the Persian walnut and the shagbark
hickory that was evidently a good hybrid. It showed character of both
parents, but I lost that entire lot. I wasn't careful enough in
protecting them. I have another lot of crosses between these two flowers
in which the type often is so definitely shagbark hickory that I doubt
if there is any walnut there at all. Under certain conditions we may get
hybrids, yet miss it at another time, even when working with the same
parents. Somebody has probably made a better study of this point and
recorded better ideas. I think we may safely say that we may expect an
actual cross between some walnuts and hickories.
MR. MCCOY: Would it be possible to cross the English walnut and the
black walnut and produce a nut of superior quality?
DR. MORRIS: Yes, it is possible to cross them, but you do not often get
a nut of superior quality. The tendency seems to be to have a nut of
thick shell and of not high quality, but if you make a thousand of those
crosses, out of the thousand you may get a few of just what you want.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: I want to ask if you are always careful to apply the
pollen when it is well ripened?
DR. MORRIS: Yes, I have always been careful to apply it at just the time
when it was well ripened, and that is of great importance in its bearing
upon Mr. Reed's question. If I have pollen which is quite ripe I may
perhaps catch it upon an ovule, but if it is not ripe I won't got the
cross. I may add it a little too early or too late when the pistillate
flower is unprepared and I won't get a cross. If I get my pollen just at
the right time upon the pistillate flowers I may have a good cross,
between varieties which do not cross readily.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: In my experience in breeding apples, formerly I always
waited until the pollen was ripe, and that meant I had to cover the
blossoms with bags and depend on the weather for conditions favorable to
pollenation. But four or five years ago I began pollenating much earlier
and I have had good results.
DR. MORRIS: That is a very important point.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: By doing that I know it is pollenated. I have been
failing so many years I felt it was a loss of all the first part of the
work.
DR. MORRIS: It is a great convenience to be able to pollenate at the
same moment when you emasculate.
A MEMBER: I would like to have you kindly explain to what extent cross
pollenation can be made practical to the ordinary grower.
DR. MORRIS: Let's say that in case of the butternut we wish to
experiment with removal of the thick shell, and also to obtain less of
that strong oily flavor; we wish to get rid of those two things. In
order to do that I would first think of the Japanese walnut, _juglans
cordiformis_, which has a much thinner shell and is less oily and more
bland. Crosses between this Japanese walnut and the butternut we may
fairly expect will sometimes give us a large, thin shelled butternut of
good character. The next question is, who is going to do it? The men
about my place are pretty busy, and this is rather delicate work. It is
going to be a most inspiring field for the young folks and the ladies,
because it is nice, pretty, ladylike work, and beside that its returns
may be large. If your little daughter, ten years of age, knows that she
may get $2,000 for a single cross that she has made, it is stimulating,
because it is not every child ten years of age who can put $2,000 in the
bank, as personal earnings of increment.
MR. MOSELY: I would like to ask just what results you expect from the
cross pollenization of these nuts, and just how far they will differ
from the parent type?
DR. MORRIS: You are bound to have continuance of one parent type, but in
crossing with pollen from hybrids you may carry desirable
characteristics through a series of generations and breed for what is
wanted, possibly to the sixth generation or even further with some
species.
MR. MOSELY: Then the type is not fixed until pollenization?
DR. MORRIS: By selecting the one showing the dominant characteristics
you wish to preserve, you could breed through several generations and
have an ideal type eventually.
MR. DOAN: I would like to ask how far the buds are developed in cold
storage before the pollen can be used?
DR. MORRIS: For instance, take the hazel when its catkins are just
beginning to elongate. It may be put in the ice house and kept there,
for two or three weeks dormant. When we wish to develop those flowers we
put the branches in a jar of water in a warm room and in about three
days the plants are shedding pollen. I got some hazel catkins this
spring that were elongating. It was the latter part of February when we
had one or two warm days and I believed my pistillate hazels were about
ready for pollen. I got those branches from Rochester. We had unexpected
cold weather and storms and my pistillate hazels did not bloom until
more than two weeks later. I kept these undeveloped catkins that I had
received in a cold dark place. When I wanted to use them I put them in a
jar of water and in less than three days they were shedding pollen
freely, at a time when my pistillate flowers were ready for pollen.
MR. MOSELY: I would like to know the object in crossing the oak on the
chinkapin.
DR. MORRIS: My idea is to get a chinkapin tree twice as large as an oak,
perhaps. I shall hope to have a chinkapin tree as sturdy as the red oak,
with nuts larger than acorns and of as good quality as the chinkapin
nut. Of course that extravagant possibility only appeals to one with a
speculative nature.
THE PRESIDENT: Pursuant to the authority conferred on the President this
morning, the following committees are announced:
On Nomination--Robert T. Morris, Chairman: C. P. Close, J. L. Doan, R.
T. Olcott, C. A. Reed.
Exhibits--Prof. C. P. Close, Chairman; J. P. Wilkinson, E. A. Riehl,
Colonel Sober, W. C Reed.
Resolutions--W. O. Potter, Chairman; H. R. Weber, J. Russell Smith.
The chair also wishes to place an additional member on the membership
committee, in the place of Mr. Corsan, who has not been able to attend
the last two meetings, and will appoint Leon D. Batchellor of Utah.
Committee on Revision of Constitution and Rules--Prof. C. P. Close, Dr.
W. C. Deming.
I will also add to the committee on nomenclature C. A. Reed and R. L.
McCoy.
THE PRESIDENT: We have a few minutes before time for adjournment and Mr.
Evans, a dynamite man, will speak to us.
MR. EVANS: Mr. Chairman: The question arises as to what kind of dynamite
to use in the different soils. Most pecan land contains clay and can
best be worked by dynamite. Don't buy ordinary dynamite, because it is
too high an explosive. For several reasons it is not the kind of an
explosive you wish. In some places dynamite can hardly be put on the
market as many people are afraid of it and so the word dynamite has been
eliminated, and we now have what we call Red Cross Farm Powder. It will
work in any part of the country, it is not a high explosive and the
price is lower as the hardware dealers have it direct from the Dupont
companies. By using this Red Cross Farm Powder, less labor is required
and it doesn't cost very much. For labor and all it will cost you about
five cents per hole, and that includes the dynamite caps, fuse and
labor.
PROFESSOR SMITH: How much do you use?
MR. EVANS: That depends on the soil and also on the depth to which you
want to shoot the hole. Nurserymen have different opinions on that
subject, but in the southern field where I have been working they
usually go from two and a half to three feet deep. They use one-half
stick 20 per cent dynamite, or one quarter of a pound as it weighs two
sticks to the pound. That should make a hole two and a half or three
feet deep. Fuse is cheap and you should use plenty of it. A man has to
be governed always by the kind of soil he is dealing with.
MR. POMEROY: In shooting an old apple orchard how deep would you go?
MR. EVANS: Where I have been working from three and a half to four feet,
but as I said before it will depend largely on the soil.
MR. POMEROY: How far from the body of the tree?
MR. EVANS: I have never made a study of that.
MR. POTTER: In limestone soil, for instance, built up with clay, how
near the trees would you use the dynamite if you want to loosen up the
soil?
MR. EVANS: What kind of trees?
MR. POTTER: Pecan.
MR. EVANS: About six feet. I think that is close enough.
MR. POTTER: Would you make more than one hole around the tree?
MR. EVANS: Use your own judgment about that.
MR. POTTER: How far out will it loosen or break up the ground?
MR. EVANS: Probably six feet. You can distinguish on the top of the
ground where it takes place.
MR. POTTER: How deep will it be?
MR. EVANS: About a foot deeper than the charge is placed.
THE SECRETARY: With me the most important thing in using dynamite is the
question of headache. I used the 20 per cent at first and it had no
effect. I had heard of its causing headaches and knew some people
couldn't use it but I thought I was immune. Then I began to use 70 or 80
per cent and I got knocked out for twenty-four hours. The more I used it
the more susceptible I became. When I went back to handling the lower
percentages I got the same results, was completely knocked out and had
to go to bed. Sometimes the effect would come on a long time after I
used the dynamite, perhaps hours afterwards, and the headache would
increase, until I was intensely nauseated and had to give up entirely.
Is there anything to prevent that? Is it caused by the fumes after the
explosion?
MR. EVANS: Some say it is from handling the dynamite, others say it is
the fumes after the explosion. Red Cross has ammonia in it and that
ought to help some. Dynamite contains nitro glycerine and if you handle
it bare handed it gets in the pores of the skin and causes rapid heart
action. In dynamiting holes for tree planting you will get the fumes and
you will get a headache. If a man could work with gloves on he could
avoid this to a very great extent. You can't do it easily but if you can
do it without taking off the gloves I don't think it would bother you
much. I neglected to state that dynamite by itself is not dangerous
because it will withstand shock or fire or anything like that. The
danger is in the cap. It contains the most powerful explosive known. If
you handle them carefully, there is absolutely no danger. This year we
are slipping little copper disks into the caps with a pin hole for the
fire to strike through.
MR. HARGIS: I have difficulty in making the shots. Should you put your
cap at the bottom or the top of the stick?
MR. EVANS: I should advise the top. A misfire is always expensive. If
you think it is necessary put in a cap in the bottom and one in the top.
MR. POMEROY: If you have a misfire and the men don't like to monkey
around it, and neither do you, just step off a few inches and stick in
another one and let her go. Will that fix the stick that didn't go off?
MR. EVANS: That is the safest way.
MR. HARGIS: In tamping say you have a hole in a rock four feet. I have
had men tell me to pour the hole full of water. Is that right?
MR. EVANS: That is the best method known.
In tree planting you will always have to use your own judgment. Go down
four or five or six feet to learn the character of the soil, tamp the
cartridge well and as fuse is not expensive, always use plenty of it.
THE PRESIDENT: Any further discussion of this, or any further questions
on the use of dynamite?
MR. DOAN: Mr. President, I would like to mention a method I found
helpful. That is to make two holes in the cartridge, one diagonally
down from one side, thrusting the fuse bearing the cap through that, and
then making a hole diagonally in the other side and thrusting the cap in
it.
MR. EVANS: We do not advocate using that method because dynamite will
become ignited from the fuse and will burn. To be frank with you that is
the method we use, but the company does not approve of it and we should
not use it. You are liable to have a misfire. In warm weather there is
no danger but in cold weather don't use it. The best method is to bore
right in at an angle of forty-five degrees.
MR. POTTER: Do you advise us to use dynamite?
MR. EVANS: Yes, we have men making a business of it.
MR. POTTER: To be frank with you I don't like to use it.
MR. EVANS: Dynamite is not dangerous. It is the caps, though they look
safe. It is that white stuff in the dynamite cap. There is where the
danger is.
THE PRESIDENT: We will stand adjourned until 1 o'clock.
* * * * *
Re-convened at 1 P. M.
THE PRESIDENT: I will ask W. C. Reed to state something of his program
for Saturday so the members may know about it.
W. C. REED: Our plans for Saturday morning are that we are leaving
Evansville at 7:30, arriving in Vincennes at 9:30; several automobiles
will be in waiting there to take all the party out to the nurseries and
get back to the station for the 2 o'clock train going north to Oaktown,
where there will be automobiles in waiting to take us out to see the
original Busseron and Indiana trees, coming back to Oaktown in time for
the 6:40 train south, arriving in Vincennes at 7:07, or the train north
out of Oaktown to Terre Haute, to connect for Pittsburgh over the
Pennsylvania Lines or Big Four if anyone wants to go that way. We would
like to have everyone go with us Saturday, if possible, and would also
like to know sometime this afternoon before we adjourn how many are
going, so I can notify them tonight how many automobiles there will be
needed at each point.
THE PRESIDENT: That is rather an important visit for the members to make
for two or three reasons. Those of you who haven't had the opportunity
of seeing the pecan propagated in Mr. McCoy's nursery will get a chance
to see Mr. Reed's nursery; and you will get to see the parent trees of
two good northern Varieties. We know very much depends on the location
of the original parent tree, notwithstanding it is sometimes said it is
the location of the nursery that determines the hardiness. We know that
has nothing to do with it. You cannot, by putting a tree in a nursery
for six months, change its nature. If you take this trip Saturday, you
will have a chance to see the Busseron and the Indiana.
MR. REED: We will also visit the Niblack tree if we have time.
THE PRESIDENT: I would suggest that all go who can. I want also to urge
all of you to make the trip tomorrow and see the big seedling pecan
trees bearing nuts hanging almost to the ground. You cannot always see
that because usually they are so tall. I also want to call your
attention to the exhibits in the other room. Mr. Wilkinson has a very
fine collection in there. Col. Sober has some very fine exhibits of
chestnuts, both of burrs and nuts, and Mr. W. C. Reed has a very fine
collection and possibly there are many others I should mention. You
ought to examine all of them, because the only way of drawing correct
conclusions about these things comes from careful study, and it cannot
be done hastily. The next on the program this afternoon will be Mr.
McCoy's talk.
MR. MCCOY: I have no set speech to make I thought maybe there were some
things I might say to be a help to some of you; some things that would
have been lots of help to me a year or two ago from some one, because
nut trees are more difficult than any other nursery stock to propagate,
and for another reason it is more difficult in the North than in the
South. Mr. Paul White and Mr. Ford Wilkinson have both worked in the
North and in the South, and after coming back home these boys say that
anybody can propagate pecans in the South, but with us it is different.
We have kept at it, though, and our president has been our good friend
and has always helped us out. There have been three of us incessantly at
the work. Mr. Littlepage would come down home and get us together and
ginger us up, and we would go back and go to work and try again. It has
been one continuous line of failures, but every year we have learned
some things, or at least learned how not to do it. This spring we were
fortunate in having an expert from the South who came to my nursery and
stayed there until midsummer, and we saw our own work compared with his.
We all had great respect for him and he is able, too. I don't think he
had much respect for us when he got here but he had a whole lot when he
went away for he made a miserable failure like the rest of us. Mr.
Jones, you know, is an authority on grafting. He is the man that
introduced it to the nut world, at least in the East. I think it had
been tried in California before. We have tried his methods and
everything else that government experts or any other expert told us
about, and we have read all the magazines that were published from the
South to the North. Everything seemed to be a failure and finally I got
disgusted and said "We will do it to suit ourselves." After we had tried
all the hard ways in Christendom I think we have at last found an easy
way to do it. Like everything else it is easy when you know how. I
believe it is a fact--and I am saying nothing but what I believe--I
don't believe you will ever successfully graft pecan trees in the North,
unless you equalize your sap flow by pruning your roots. I tried it and
failed. It is possible you may be able to side graft under most
favorable conditions. You may make a side graft take if you leave the
top on to take care of the extra sap flow. You take off the top of a
pecan tree, or any other nut tree in this country, and you ruin your
root system because your sap comes with such vengeance--and it comes!
One day there is no show of sap and the next day it comes with
vengeance. Differences in the soil, of course, makes some difference. At
Mr. Littlepage's place, Paul had the sap a week before I did and Mr.
Wilkinson had it four days before. A great many of our top works are
going to the bad because we ruined the root system when we cut the tree.
And I want to say it again, I don't believe we can make a success of it
in the North. You may do it in Oregon where you have a distributed sap
flow. The Oregon fellows say you can't bud, because they don't know how.
They say the only way you can produce trees is to graft. That may be
true out there but you can't graft in Indiana, I know, especially on my
place. Of course the soil of each particular farm has something to do
with it. To illustrate my point, the first year I was in the state of
Wisconsin, on the 20th of June, I was out in the country and saw a man
setting tobacco. I knew him and I said, "Won't that tobacco get frost
bit?" and he said, "I reckon not. It might but it never did." I thought
it would, but I went that way in two weeks again and I changed my mind.
I had been used to seeing tobacco growing in the Ohio valley where it
does its growing in the latter part of the season. In the South the sap
flow is much better distributed than it is in the North.
Now, then, I have brought a board along with these young trees stuck in
it, because I thought some of the members would like to see a
demonstration. The tools I have here are not adequate, hardly, for the
job. For a tree that size we take a saw to it.
(Here Mr. McCoy makes a demonstration of cleft grafting.)
MR. POTTER: Would you have a scion as long as that in actual work?
MR. MCCOY: Many of them are, but it would be better smaller, probably.
That is a matter I don't think there is much to, whether the scion has
one bud or ten. I think three is perhaps about right.
MR. POTTER: They come together right there?
MR. MCCOY: Exactly on the front side. Now you understand this grafting
is done when the sap is flowing, or about the time the sap flow begins.
Usually at our latitude here you will commence grafting anywhere from
the 6th of April to about that time in May. Of course when you are
cutting trees at that time you have got an immense flow of sap. Mr.
Jones tried this method without drainage, that is the way they do out in
Louisiana, but he only got ten per cent to stick, so we had to work out
a drainage for ourselves. Take a piece of heavy wrapping paper, rather
good quality such as you can get at any paper store, and put it right
over your graft, and a little bit below the cut on your stock. Then
simply take a piece of raffia and wrap. Then make the ordinary tie that
anyone knows how to make with the cotton or twine, or sometimes with the
raffia, and you have the drainage of this paper. The tie, of course, is
simply to re-enforce the strain on the graft and hold it. Then you apply
the grafting wax. The one we use is three of resin, one of beeswax, and
lampblack and a little bit of linseed oil. Cover up the graft entirely,
except don't cover over the lower end of this paper because there is the
drainage where the sap flows out. Then you put an ordinary paper sack
right over it, and leave it on for about three weeks.
A MEMBER: You don't tie the paper below the raffia?
MR. MCCOY: That does not make any difference.
A MEMBER: At what time do you cut a hole in the bag to give it air, or
do you do that?
MR. MCCOY: Not for two or three weeks.
(Mr. McCoy now gives a demonstration in budding.)
We will suppose this is a seedling and I want to bud it. I place my
budder on like that. Now I have got my shield up. Now I lay my budder on
the stock something like that.
MR. SMITH: Why not wrap over the bud?
Mr. MCCOY: Because it will injure it. It is essential to cover all the
cut surface you can. Make it waterproof at the top, and have it open at
the bottom.
MR. POTTER: How long does that stay on the bud?
MR. MCCOY: I don't know as that makes any difference unless you want to
force the bud.
MR. MCELDERRY: When do you take that off?
MR. MCCOY: I don't know as that makes any difference. I have thousands
of them that have been on five or six weeks. I take it off when action
begins. It varies, it may be two weeks and it may be six and it might be
six months. If you have maximum budding conditions generally the tree
itself will tell the story. We frequently take it off and have to
rewrap.
MR. W. C. REED: Would ten days be too quick?
MR. MCCOY: In most cases, yes.
MR. REED: Fruit trees is two weeks, but pecan trees are not quite as
quick?
MR. MCCOY: Pecan trees will come through the rye about as quick as a
peach tree.
MR. REED: I am talking about cherry trees.
MR. MCCOY: I think about twenty or twenty-five days is about right. You
know as well as I do that cases are not all alike, and you have to know
when to unwrap.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: How can you tell this if the bud is covered up?
MR. MCCOY: You can tell easy enough if the bud is alive, just like
anything else.
MR. MOSELY: You say you can't graft pecan trees here?
MR. MCCOY: I don't think so.
MR. WEBBER: What do you graft?
MR. POTTER: And what will you do about the nut trees?
MR. MCCOY: I will bud.
MR. WEBBER: What value is the grafting to us?
MR. MCCOY: You may be able to graft.
MR. W. C. REED: We _can_ graft.
MR. MCCOY: Maybe you can, but I can't.
I don't think root grafting is a success, although we have some fine
trees that are root grafted. I don't know what it is but there is
something wrong; some of them are all right, to be sure but I don't find
it a general success. Of the two methods, grafting and budding, I will
bud.
MR. HARGIS: Mr. McCoy, I have a number of seedling pecan trees in good
healthy condition and I want to transform them into good bearing trees.
What shall I do?
MR. MCCOY: Mr. Littlepage will cover that.
THE PRESIDENT: I don't know about that, whether I can or not, but that
will come later. There is one thing that ought to be covered, or
demonstrated here, and that is the method of working the hickory and the
pecan by the slip bark method. I think the slip bark method in the
hickory and pecan is a method that everybody ought to know, and also
this ought to be used with the walnut tree. Some of the walnuts ought to
be top worked to English walnuts in the North. And it's the same way
with the hickory through this section. There are thousands and tens of
thousands that ought to be top worked to fine shagbarks, and I am going
to call on Mr. White who is the most successful man in this topwork
method I have ever seen. I top worked twenty-six this spring, and got
twenty-three to grow; he did twenty-two and made twenty-one grow, so
that record beats mine. I will say also to those of you who are
interested, get a copy of Mr. Olcott's _Nut Journal_ and you will see a
lot of good cuts showing the results of top working. To those of you who
do not know Mr. White I will say that he is associated with me in some
tree work and I think he is perhaps one of the most successful top
workers I have ever seen. Paul, you will now give us your demonstration.
(Paul White now gives demonstration of top working.)
MR. RIEHL: I would like to say a few things right here, I don't want to
be thought altogether idle. I live in Illinois, your neighboring state.
I have learned lots of good things here and I want to give a little. I
have been experimenting in the nut business for some time; I have
studied propagation and there is one point I think will be new to you. I
had difficulty in propagating hickories and pecans until I got the
thought of hermetically sealing the scion. I first used gum shellac, but
later I found that by covering the scion with grafting wax completely it
serves the same purpose as the paper. It takes the place of all that
wrapping, except right at the wound, and does away with the sacks. I
have tried them and I much prefer covering with grafting wax. Your buds
will come right through the wax, and you don't have to bother about
taking off the sacks, and there is no danger of leaving the sacks on too
long.
THE PRESIDENT: That is a very good suggestion, Mr. Riehl. There might be
some discussion of that. It occurs to me that with that method it is
very essential you have the right kind of grafting wax, otherwise it
might injure your bark. Are there any suggestions or questions before we
finish the grafting demonstration?
MR. RIEHL: I wish to emphasize the fact that the wax must not be too
hot.
THE PRESIDENT: What is your formula, Mr. Riehl?
MR. RIEHL: Four of resin, two of beeswax and one of linseed oil.
THE PRESIDENT: Are there any further questions?
MR. DORR: Suppose I wanted to get a certain variety of tree by grafting.
For instance if I couldn't buy the white Heath Cling peach then my only
resource would be to bud on another tree. But suppose I struck a nursery
where I could get good seedlings of this tree. Wouldn't a natural tree
be preferable to the budded one?
THE PRESIDENT: There are no true seedlings, so far as I know.
MR. DORR: Do you mean there are none at all true to seed?
THE PRESIDENT: No, nut trees do not come true to variety. In other
words, Mr. Dorr, I might put it this way. In the big Green River orchard
over here there are some of the very best pecan trees, but those of us
who have been observing them for years have found it is only through
propagation we can get a Green River and a Major. It would be a failure
to get the nuts and plant them and hope to get the varieties that exist
there, just as it would to plant some nut that grows a hundred miles
away, because the pollen up and down the river would mix in these
varieties. It is the same way with the walnut, when you undertake to
plant an English walnut and get it true to the seed, you are going to
have a failure. If you plant a Rush walnut you may get a nut that
resembles it but there is no probability of its being a true Rush
walnut. That is why we have these discussions of budding and grafting.
We should be glad if seedlings would come true but they do not. I will
show you tomorrow, at Enterprise, the great variety of seedling pecans,
and I want you to look them over well.
PROFESSOR SMITH: May I answer his question? I think he asked, which is
better the tree from the nursery, the natural tree, or a grafted tree?
THE PRESIDENT: If he did, I didn't understand.
PROFESSOR SMITH: That was the question, and I will say he can't find a
Heath Cling, unless it is top worked.
MR. DORR: Some farmers who have tried a great many experiments hold to
this theory: If you select the seed properly you can produce fruit as
good as the nurseries produce it. The things the schools teach don't
coincide with what those practical farmers observe.
PROFESSOR SMITH: When you try to find farmers more practical than these
men here, you have got some to find.
THE PRESIDENT: The farmer who says he can do that is mistaken.
MR. DORR: He says the same thing about you. When I buy a grafted tree a
storm comes along and breaks it where it was grafted. If I can get a
perfect seedling I will have a stronger tree.
MR. MCELDERRY: The very thing he is inquiring about has cost Posey
County thousands of dollars. Men tell them they have trees that are
better than the nurserymen sell and they bite and find they are
mistaken. But they get them and pay from ten to fifteen cents more than
they would to the dealer. There is no man on earth that can keep the
Heath Cling true in that way, or any other variety on earth.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: I want to say a word. Two or three people have made the
statement here that it is absolutely impossible to propagate any peach
or other fruit true from seed. We have been doing it for years. I
believe the orchard peach will come true to the seed. With apples there
are groups that will come true to the group but not the variety.
THE PRESIDENT: I am glad to hear that statement. I have understood that
the Indian peach will come true to that group but it will not be the big
Indian peach you have planted. It is a fact that some of those groups
have a tendency to come true to the group.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: Yes, they come true to the group and so will apples.
MR. DORR: May I ask another question? What has become of some of those
beautiful, delicious seedlings in southern Indiana they had when I was a
boy?
THE PRESIDENT: The same thing that became of Washington and
Lincoln--they died.
MR. MCELDERRY: It is a boy's taste, not the peach, that makes it seem
better than the ones we have now.
MR. W. C. REED: I feel that Mr. McCoy discouraged us too much about
grafting. I think either method he used will succeed very well. The main
point is the time of the year it is done. Up to a year ago we began
grafting a few days after the first of April, and continued up to the
first of May, and our success varied from ninety per cent to nothing. We
decided there was too much sap and went to budding. The last grafting we
did gave us the only real good stand we got, that which we did from the
first to the tenth of May. We had as good results then as we did in
budding.
THE PRESIDENT: That is good, Mr. Reed. I think those facts ought to be
brought out and made a matter of a record.
MR. REED: I think it is more the time in grafting than anything else.
MR. MCCOY: Mr. Reed has a clay soil and that does not furnish the rapid
flow of sap that a warm sandy soil does.
MR. REED: You would have to begin grafting earlier.
MR. MCCOY: Yes sir.
MR. WHITE: Do you leave that cover of paper on when you coves it with
wax?
MR. REED: On part of them we did and on part of them we did not. In
grafting walnut trees this season we left some of it on.
MR. WOODS: Just a question as to the strength of that slip grafting.
Will it blow off easily?
MR. WHITE: The first year it will blow off a little bit easily. The
first year you will have to tie it.
THE PRESIDENT: Are there any further suggestions? If not the next thing
on the program will be a talk by Dr. J. Russell Smith of the University
of Pennsylvania.
PROFESSOR SMITH: Mr. Chairman, and Ladies and Gentlemen: We have to
educate the public--my good friend down by the window, I hope he will
not take my remarks personally--is a case in point. He has come in with
an argument, which the gentlemen next him says has cost his county lots
of money. I am a grower of apples, an experimenter in nuts and I raise
peaches to eat. I am planting seedling peaches and I know that when I go
on that hillside of mine I can get little red seedling peaches and plant
them and get the same kind, which have, I think, as much sugar and
flavor as any big peach two inches or two and a half in diameter. I
raise them true to the type too, but I would not think of putting out a
commercial orchard of seedling peaches. My neighbor tried it, to his
financial sorrow.
But it is surprising how this seedling error sticks. People are going to
be buying seedling trees twenty-five years hence and thinking they are
getting the best to be had. Here is an article that bears me out. Here
is an editor who has published a very glaring thing. This is No. 139,
Vol. 113 of a paper devoted primarily to ginseng. This question was
asked: "What do you know about the Pomeroy English walnut trees and
fruit?" and the editor answers: "The Pomeroy walnut trees are all right
and you will find at least nineteen out of twenty hardy. That is what I
find here and we often get it down to 20 below zero. The nuts are of
good quality. Beware of the Pomeroy trees offered by the Rochester
nurserymen. These are grafted trees. Pomeroy raises his trees on their
own roots, all of them are true seedlings, and that is why once in a
great while one turns out tender."
[Illustration: J. RUSSELL SMITH
President of the Northern Nut Growers Association]
MR. DORR: I believe I am as old as you are and have gone the same gait
exactly. I lost my job and went to farming. I was once a college
professor, too, but there are things I find now I didn't find then.
Two nurserymen come to me and sell me two Grimes Golden apples. I plant
them side by side and they do not turn out alike. Why not if they are
grafted trees? I am not knocking, you misunderstand me, I am a truth
seeker.
PROFESSOR SMITH: I believe that. We always find something we didn't buy.
My head man says they jump in. I have some very fine specimens that came
by accident, and of course we have a certain amount of bud variation. We
find variety even by propagation. The trees will vary the same as people
will but they will vary a great deal more if we get the seedlings. The
successful growth of nuts, as of any other fruit, demands the use of top
worked trees from the best known parentage. That is the way we do with
apples, peaches, pears, and cherries. Nuts will have to come in the same
class from the best known parentage. The big thing today is to find out
the best known parentage and then spread knowledge so that no editor
will be capable of fooling people as in the article I read a few minutes
ago.
That is point number one. My point number two is a different one. It is
the question of the names of the varieties of northern nut trees,
particularly the names of the pecan trees. Twenty years from now there
will be a million people in the North who will gravely tell us the pecan
grows down South, not in Indiana, and that you can't grow them up here.
I haven't a doubt there will be a million people that will believe that
twenty years hence. How can we get that idea out of their heads? I think
we have an agency in the mere names of the trees which will cause people
to buy more, yes a hundred thousand or two hundred thousand more trees,
than they do at the present time. If we pick out one name, Indiana, what
does it mean? It will make a man ask questions, and if he has any
curiosity at all he will want to know if it grows in Indiana and if it
will grow in any state with practically the same latitude as Indiana.
But if he hears the name Schley, what does it mean? Nothing, because
practically everybody has quit thinking about Admiral Schley. I recall
eight varieties of northern pecans three of which have good names and
three perfectly worthless ones. Indiana, Kentucky and Green River are
the good ones. Green River is the least valuable because it is not well
enough known. Indiana and Kentucky are great names because they are the
names of great states. Then we have Busseron, Warrick, Posey and
Buttrick. The Busseron nut which grows up at Vincennes ought to be
renamed Vincennes. There will be thousands more sold in Vincennes when
it is known from the name that it did not originate in Pennsylvania but
that it is a product of Vincennes. My point is this, it gets a name that
shows it to be a northern product. I am not going to fight for that
particular name but it is growing at Vincennes and that is a perfectly
good reason for it to be named after that well known city. Now we come
to the Posey. It grows on the banks of the Wabash and ought to be named
the Wabash. Nobody knows anything about Posey County and what the reason
is for the name, but the banks of the Wabash where it grows have been
made famous in song. We can hook a sign on that pecan that will sell
twenty or thirty thousand more Poseys than are sold now. Next we have
the Buttrick which is found growing in Illinois. That is the reason why
those Buttrick pecans will sell under the name of Illinois. It is named
for a man but it doesn't mean anything in the world but women's dress
patterns and is not a good name for a pecan.
MR. MCCOY: A change in a name like Buttrick to Illinois is a good one.
Any name like this that tells by itself the fact that the nut is from
the North is worth a lot to the people who want to sell pecan trees, and
to the people who want to eat pecans, and can buy them reasonably.
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that a special committee be appointed to
consider changing the names of these pecans and giving them names
showing that they are northern nuts.
MR. POTTER: I second that motion.
THE PRESIDENT: It has been moved and seconded that a committee be
appointed to consider the matter of changing the names of some of the
pecans.
A MEMBER: Isn't there a Vincennes in Europe?
THE PRESIDENT: There might possibly be more suggestions, and we should
be glad to hear from anyone along this line.
MR. REED: I agree with Professor Smith in part of his remarks. We have a
walnut called the Ontario from Greene County, Michigan. If we should
call it Michigan that would indicate where it came from. But it is
widely known now as the Ontario, and would it be best to change its
name, even though it comes from Michigan?
MR. MCCOY: Wouldn't it have been better to have called it Michigan to
start with?
MR. REED: I think so.
MR. MCCOY: We have pursued these things for many years and we have made
some misnomers in naming them. I think it's a good idea to change them.
MR. POTTER: I am very much pleased with the idea Professor Smith has
advanced for renaming these trees. They don't mean anything now as he
says, and I think it would be a great forward stride for this
association to rename these trees.
MR. SIMPSON: I think Professor Smith's idea is a move in the right
direction. We were the first people that propagated any of these
northern varieties, and my idea is to call that variety Indiana, for the
very reason he mentions here, that it distinguishes it as a northern
variety. I think his suggestion ought to be followed out as far as it is
possible. At least with several varieties.
THE PRESIDENT: The chair takes the opportunity of saying that the
suggestion meets his most hearty approval. I have taken up pages of
letters in writing to people about nuts, and explaining to them that the
nursery from which they bought had nothing to do with the hardiness of
the tree, that it was the location of the parent tree that determined
this. I was struck by an advertisement last year which said, "buy them
from the nursery furthest north." That hasn't a thing in the world to do
with it. You may take some of this very wood we have here and propagate
it on the McKenzie River, or the Yukon, and say you are selling trees
propagated in Alaska, but the hardiness all depends on where the parent
tree is. These parent trees have been placed there by nature, and when
we distribute them we will distribute what nature has put into the
parent tree. These trees are there because they have withstood all the
climatic conditions, and nothing would be of more value, it appears to
me, than to adopt the suggestion for renaming them. In the first place
many of these trees are named for men not entitled to have them named
for them. Many of those who own these trees do not know their value and
object to anyone that knows anything about a nut tree going in and
getting bud wood, and are contrary and mean about it. It is very rare
that the importance of these seedling pecans is known to their owners,
and they are not entitled to any consideration themselves. They are
generally discovered by some outsider who had to beg to go in and get a
stick of bud wood. Is there any further discussion?
MR. C. A. REED: You are right about that. But I would like to go on
record in opposition to this movement. When pecans are recorded in the
standard works the names stay. The rule is generally accepted that where
the names have once been recorded no other name can be permitted. It is
easy enough for us to vote to change a name but not so easy to change it
in actual practice. How many of us will know these pecans that Prof.
Smith has mentioned by any other names than those that have already
been accepted. Suppose we do rename them, we shall have to explain that
they are the old pecans under the new names.
MR. MCCOY: We remember well when we changed the name of the Green River.
We decided that among ourselves here. The Posey pecan used to be the
Grayville and you know when we changed it. I call it the Grayville yet
because I got used to that. You changed it to Posey thinking it was from
Posey County but it really is from Gibson County. I have no doubt many
of these men here call it the Grayville, and then lots of men that hear
me call it the Grayville ask me what I mean as they don't recognize it
under the old name. I am in favor of changing these names. I named some
of them and you know it, but I didn't always name them right and you
have changed them here. Can't we do it again if it will sell them?
THE SECRETARY: What is the motion exactly?
THE PRESIDENT: As I understood it was to appoint a special committee to
take up the matter, and consider changing these names.
THE SECRETARY: Why should we do that when we have already a committee on
nomenclature? What is the use of a special committee?
MR. POTTER: The special committee will report quicker.
THE PRESIDENT: If it belongs to the committee on nomenclature to
consider the matter it will be best to do it now, immediately. If the
names are to be changed they ought not go another year, and if not to be
changed it ought to be known. The chair will be glad to entertain a
motion that the committee report tomorrow on it.
MR. POTTER: I make a motion that the matter be referred to the committee
on nomenclature and that they be ordered to report tomorrow.
THE PRESIDENT: Do I hear a second?
A MEMBER: I second the motion.
C. A. REED: I am the chairman of that committee and I could not report
tomorrow so I will ask that if it is to be taken up by committee that a
special committee be appointed.
THE PRESIDENT: It is Mr. W. C. Reed who is the chairman of that
committee, to which committee was added C. A. Reed and R. L. McCoy.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: I would like to ask Mr. Reed if he is absolutely sure
about the rule he has just quoted of the American Pomological Society,
that a name cannot be changed. I don't remember that rule.
MR. REED: Mr. Taylor was the framer of that rule and in actual practice
he has adhered to the first name used, and did at the time he was
secretary of that society.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: Have you not in mind the rule that a name like Posey
being given this variety no other variety can be given that same name. I
think that is the rule you are thinking of.
MR. REED: No, but that is true too. You know we had the Sovereign pecan,
and after that name had been established Mr. Taylor wrote up that
variety for the yearbook, and the name had been changed then to the
Texas Prolific, but he still retained the name of Sovereign for the
reason that it had been called that before.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: It seems to me that an organization could change a
name. I think the idea is a good one. Take the name Indiana. I think
that name ought to be given to the very best seedling variety that is a
native of that state. I don't know whether the Indiana is the best one
or not, but it is now too late to change that. If it is not the best the
name will have to stick to the variety to which it has been given, even
if later on better varieties are found.
MR. MCCOY: I know there are some extremely fine pecans on the Illinois
River because I have some samples of them, a good bit better than the
ones we have, and I suggest that we reserve the name Illinois, which
would be suggestive of both the river and the state, for one of them. I
know the nuts are there and I think they are very fine. The Illinois
River has more pecans on it than the Wabash.
DR. DEMING: I second the motion.
THE PRESIDENT: It has been moved and seconded that the matter of
changing the names of these nuts as suggested by Dr. Smith, be referred
to the committee on nomenclature, and that they be instructed to report
tomorrow.
(Motion carried.)
THE PRESIDENT: We have with us this afternoon, the state entomologist,
Mr. Baldwin, who knows many things of interest to nut growers, and we
shall be glad to hear from him.
MR. BALDWIN: Mr. Chairman, and Members of the Nut Growers Association: I
am wholly unprepared to make a talk before this association and must say
I am not sufficiently familiar with nut culture to be able to tell you
anything of interest along that line of work. Your discussion relative
to the pollenization of plants was intensely interesting and clear.
There is no use in trying to dodge the fact that every plant has a
father and mother, and that father and mother also have fathers and
mothers, the same as we have. The reason I am not just the same as you
is because I have a different father and mother, and the reason I am
not just the same as my brother is because the characteristics of the
parent may show in one individual and not another. If your pecan trees
should stand out in an isolated situation and pollenate themselves the
individual nuts would not all be the same. We have peaches that come
nearly true to name, and the same is true of the Snow apple that has
been grown in the St. Lawrence valley for generations. The pollenization
of budded and grafted fruit trees or nut trees is brought about, in my
opinion, wholly by the surroundings or environment of that tree. The
well known experiments of the Geneva Experiment Station have very
satisfactorily proved that the variety does not change except in so far
as the environment changes it. Of course there are some things in nature
we do not understand as where very decided deviations, or wholly
distinct varieties arise; but the general rule holds, that whenever you
propagate trees, and get your buds from some variety having merits,
those merits will be transferred to the trees that are budded or
grafted, and will remain in them while the surrounding conditions remain
the same, and changes in the fruit will be effected only by changes in
the locations in which the trees grow.
I suppose that as I am the entomologist of this state you expected to
hear some discussion of things of interest to you in this particular
field, but I came wholly unprepared for that. In this state so far as
the nut growers industry is concerned we have not done anything at all.
There is a large field for work but I must confess I am wholly
unprepared to give you a talk on this subject. Where I was raised, back
in Pennsylvania, we have several well known bugs that the nut growers
have to contend with, and they are especially abundant with the
chestnut. That of course would not be of so much interest to the people
of this state until the chestnut growing industry has developed more
than at present. I am very glad to be with you and the discussions I
have heard have been very interesting.
THE PRESIDENT: We are very glad to have heard from the state
entomologist and we want his assistance. We are trying to steer away
from bugs and we want his suggestions and help at any time.
We have a number of interesting people on the program yet this
afternoon, but the chair is going to take the liberty of asking the
president of the National Nut Growers Association, Dr. C. A. Van Duzee
to talk to us on any subject that he cares to discuss. I know him well
enough to know that anything he says will be good enough to hear: I know
him personally, the most of you know him by reputation. He has some
pictures here, and I shall take the liberty of passing them around for
you to look at, and I am going to say that these are pictures it
certainly does my heart good to see. They are pictures of his orchard
down South. Just pass them around please.
COL. VAN DUZEE: Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: I told your
President the first thing when I got in this morning that I didn't care
to have any place on the program; that I would be glad to talk at any
time on any subject he wished me to, and do anything I could to help
along. That puts me in bad to start with. As I have listened to the
discussions of your meeting the thought has come to me that you are
following along very much the same pathway that the southern nut growers
traversed five or six or seven years ago. We are a little further along
in the growing of nut orchards in the South, but you are certainly going
to get along and be abreast of us in time. Perhaps I may be able to do
more good if I confine myself to a few practical suggestions as to how I
think nut orchards can best be produced. Those pictures represent an
orchard which I have in southwestern Georgia and have grown under
adverse conditions. The pictures show the culmination of years of
earnest effort. They represent what I consider to be a very reasonable
success from a practical standpoint. I am a farmer and the first thing I
require of my farm is that it shall pay. I have no theories; I have no
ideals but those which must stand that test. I am in farming to make it
a success; it is my business and everything I do must stand that test.
If it doesn't pay it is not successful. That orchard represents the
culmination of years of study of the problem of how to grow a pecan
orchard on my ranch. That bunch of hogs represents about one hundred and
fifty we selected about three weeks ago to put in our early peanut patch
down there to finish them up as pork, but it does not show my breeders
or young stock. I could talk hogs to you until the cows come home. I set
my mark a year ago last spring, after being twice wiped out by the
cholera, I set my mark at fifty thousand pounds of meat from my orchard,
and I want to say I have animals now in the orchard and in the peanut
field together to make that and a little margin to the good. I expect
our orchard will produce this year more than fifty thousand pounds of
hams, bacon and lard. The reason I am talking about this is that I want
to emphasize the fact that the growing of nut trees is a business
proposition. I want to say, in passing, that I believe no better thing
could happen to the people who live in America than that every man who
owns land might plant a few nut trees. It is a notorious fact that the
nut trees which do the best, and which make the most money for the man
who plants them, are the ones planted in the garden and immediately
about the home where the conditions are favorable for the best
development. It is also true that all the successful pecan promotions
that have been put over on the American people have been built upon the
records of those individual trees, which were grown under the most
favorable conditions. That is the source of all that magnificent
literature, and all these people that have been inveigled into these
promotions in the South are going to be disappointed. That orchard in
the photographs is eight years of age, or will be this year, as it was
planted seven years ago last February. It has never paid a dollar of
profit. You won't find any literature on nut orcharding in the South
that will convey any such impression as that. I do expect it to pay this
fall a small margin of profit. I won't attempt to explain all that but
will say that an orchard must be eight or ten years of age before you
may expect or hope for a reasonable profit. After that it ought to pay
well. It is well worth going after because it is one of the most
legitimate, safe, satisfactory business opportunities we have ever
found. I don't know anything that pleases me more as a business man than
the growing of a large orchard of nut trees, and I assure you,
gentlemen, you must bring to that orchard the same degree of skill,
energy and patience that must be brought into any large business
proposition to make it a success. My own idea is that the nut orchard is
a legitimate part of the general farming operation. If you travel from
one end to the other of this country you will see that it is covered
with apple orchards. Small apple orchards were a part of the original
farming operations. The fact that they have been neglected does not
alter the situation at all. If the owners of those orchards had given
them proper growing conditions, they would have been successful. In the
same way I say the successful nut orchard is going to be a legitimate
part of the general farming operation.
I want to talk to you a few minutes from a business standpoint. Suppose
you want to plant an acre of nut trees, and you buy an acre of land, and
you buy your trees and have them planted. Who is going to take care of
them? You hire a man who knows about the care of trees. You couldn't
afford to hire one who didn't, and you would expect him to put in part
of his time some other way. If he didn't your investment would amount up
to so much you couldn't make anything on the deal. I emphasize this fact
because I believe you should make your nut orchard propositions large
enough so that you could afford to hire the best men to handle them for
you. If you can't do this there is another way which has been practiced
a great deal in the South and which I hope to see practiced in this
section. I have worked out a solution of the problem, which I believe is
very promising, and it is this: Get enough men, for instance in the city
of Evansville, who want nut orchards, to go out a few miles and buy a
bunch of farms, and put those farms under the management of a man big
enough to make them a success, then plant your orchard, and use the land
for general farming operations as well. I could go on indefinitely along
this line because it is inexhaustible. I think it is the keynote to
success in growing nuts. You can't be successful without giving
attention also to the things I talked about this morning. You have to
analyze the root pasture and the soil. You have to observe from the time
the trees are bought and delivered, and it requires the most careful
attention. You can't hope to accomplish a thing like that until you do
give it your most careful attention. If you have money of your own, or
make your living in some other way while the trees are growing, and feel
that you must delegate it to somebody else, associate with yourself
other men and make the undertaking big enough so you can hire the very
best talent the country affords. In this section of the country land I
presume is worth a hundred to two hundred dollars an acre, and you have
got to make it pay interest. I want to talk about the figures. The
farmer or nut grower, who does not keep a set of books and can't tell
you at the end of the year whether he has made enough money to pay off
his bills and legitimate expenses, and allowing himself a compensation
for the time energy and experience put in the business, is not
successful, and I don't care to consider him, because he is not a farmer
as I see him. You must keep your figures and know how you stand. Before
I get to the photographs I want to go back to our convention at
Chattanooga. I don't know whether there is anybody here that was at that
meeting or not. I was third man on the program to respond to the address
of welcome by the mayor of the city, and I was new in the nut game and
new in the South. I went up there with this thought, "I will listen to
the other fellows, and take my cue from them, and make a little bluff at
doing the best I can under the circumstances." To make a long story
short, when the president called on the other two men to respond they
were not there and that left me with an audience of four or five hundred
people to talk to and nothing much to say. I apologized to them for
being unable to talk in a light way. I said, "I can't say anything
unless it is in earnest; I have got to talk about something I am
interested in." I went on to advocate this principle, and it is a
principle I wish every man or woman in America would grasp and retain
and put in execution today; that is that the calling of agriculture is
the most honorable calling a man can follow, and it is up to us to
inspire in the children of America the thought that such is the case,
and help them in every way to go out into the field of agriculture and
be successful farmers. That is what I want to say. I have no patience
with the men who farm and are not successful business men, because they
are the people that make life in the rural districts objectionable to
the children, and are responsible for the children of the best blood in
the country going into the turmoil of the city where it is largely lost.
You have to pay interest on the land you use, and you have got to pay
yourself a fair compensation for the brains and energy you use on it. I
want to call your attention to one other thing. This farm I bought nine
years ago from a man who had farmed it until it wasn't capable of
producing enough income to enable him to keep it, and I undertook to
build an orchard on that farm, and I have done it. Last October, where
these hogs are grazing in the picture, I planted a crop of oats and I
got forty bushels of oats to the acre the latter part of April. I then
turned around and broke the land up and planted it in sweet potatoes,
which are just maturing and the crop will run one hundred and fifty
bushels to the acre. Don't forget that that is two crops grown and
harvested in one year on the same land. I consider it the best treatment
for the land. I pastured the oats last winter with the hogs, so I got a
very material gain from the oats in that way, and as soon as my sweet
potatoes are harvested I will turn the hogs back in and let them glean
the field. It is a fact that we can make lots of pork on the gleanings
of a sweet potato field. And besides that these trees, each one of them,
will bring me four, to five, or six dollars' worth of nuts. That land
cost me sixteen dollars an acre, and there is a net income of several
dollars above the price of the land, and I presume there is an
individual growth on each tree that increases its value at least four or
five dollars worth of nuts. There you see I have several dollars' worth
of nuts, the sweet potatoes and the oats all grown on the same land,
besides the pasture for the hogs. Those things are possible to the man
who will go into the growing of a nut orchard in a business way. I have
other land adjoining this and I will also utilize it for these purposes
and grow such crops as I can grow in the orchard, because when the nut
crop is ready to gather, I must get the stock out. I keep my
organization employed the whole year. I have the best superintendent I
know of and I have to make his salary out of my business. I get the best
tree man I know of and he also receives his compensation from the money
I make in farming. Last year I extended my farming operations in order
to make it possible for me to keep my organization running full speed
three hundred days in the year. I am dwelling upon this line for this
purpose. Don't let any promoters ever get his hooks into you or tell you
things as we have had them told to us down there. Thousands and
thousands of acres of pecan orchards have been planted without a thought
of the things I am talking about. They have planted thousands of acres
in Georgia; they have not any organization and the man in charge is
inexperienced and they don't pay. Each year from the time I planted my
orchard, and got it to the point where I could count on an orchard crop,
it has increased in value, and today it is worth four or five dollars a
tree above what it cost me. It is a magnificent business proposition. I
am so in love with my work I could talk to you until the cows come home.
I want to impress on the people of the Northern Nut Growers Association
and their friends the one fact that in order to be successful in a
commercial way you must go into it right. There is no short cut.
THE PRESIDENT: The next on the program will be an article by Mr. Olcott.
THE FUNCTION OF THE CLASS JOURNAL
RALPH T. OLCOTT, _Editor "American Nut Journal"_
In the multiplicity of publications one must distinguish, for his use,
those which are for entertainment or general education and those which
specialize. Class publications differ from trade or professional
publications in that they are not confined in their appeal to the
members of a trade or profession. The class publication is for that
portion of the general public which is wholly, or to a certain degree,
interested in the particular object to which it is devoted.
What has been said with regard to class publications is probably
understood in a general way, but a brief consideration of its bearing
upon the nut industry may make the status of a nut journal clearer. Let
us suppose that an industry has no publication devoted especially to it.
It must then depend upon communications between individuals and upon
annual meetings and their printed proceedings for its interchange of
thought; for it is presumed that it will have a national or sectional
organization. A very efficient organization with the means at hand to
serve its members well can do a great deal to keep members in touch
with each other and to advance the interests of the industry.
Organization, of course, is essential; but without a periodical exponent
there is lacking the advantage to all readers of general timely
discussion, questions asked and answered, special articles,
illustrations and the news relating exclusively to the industry--all of
which makes the periodical a working tool, and its bound and indexed
files an almost indispensable adjunct to the literature and reference
storehouse of the field covered.
Not only to the individual, but also to the class association do these
characteristics appeal with special force. For, unlike the trade
journal, it goes out among the general public as a factor in the
education of those who seek information of the special kind. In this way
it is a means for extending the operation of the industry, and
consequently of increasing the membership and influence of the
association. And right here is a point which those who have been
operating in the industry for some time should consider. If any portion
of the general public is to receive through the class journal the
information desired, there must of necessity appear in the journal from
time to time statistical or other matter with which the experienced nut
grower is familiar. To a considerable extent the novice may be referred
to existing literature on a special subject; but not all of such
literature is readily available. For instance, the _American Nut
Journal_ has been carrying in each issue a summary of the figures
showing the progress of the American nut industry. These figures have
been seen repeatedly by experienced growers, but even for them they may
prove convenient for reference; and certainly to the newcomer they
should be interesting and valuable. Original matter, of course, must be
the basis upon which the contents of a class publication are built. But
an article, or a portion of an article, which has an important bearing
on the specialty under consideration may often be reproduced in the
class publication, even though it may have appeared elsewhere; for we
are all too busy to read many publications, and the chief purpose of the
class publication is to assemble from all sources that which
particularly relates to the subject. In theory at least the class
journal should be the storehouse to which in its bound and indexed form
the subscriber may go for information on any phase of the special
subject. That is a high and not altogether attainable ideal, but the
nearer the journal approaches to that aim the more valuable will it be
to its subscribers. It should at least record the sources of all
information on its special subject, even if it cannot present it all.
What has here been said in outline regarding the function of the class
journal will indicate to the nut grower the place the _American Nut
Journal_ should occupy in the development of nut culture. It is
unnecessary to say that co-operation between the editor and those in the
industry is essential, and for that reason all should feel free to
exchange views through this medium. Aside from the practical benefit it
may be to the individual, it is a constant source of publicity for the
organized effort represented in an association of nut growers--and it is
through publicity that an industry develops.
To deserve the co-operation of all in the industry the management of the
class publication representing it must determine what is the highest and
largest function of the field which it serves and then strive in every
legitimate way to promote that function.
To deserve the manifold advantages which such a publication affords it
is incumbent upon those in the industry, on their part, to make it
possible through their subscriptions and through their advertising to
maintain such a medium. It is probable that if there were no such
publication every loyal member of this association would gladly pledge
ten cents a month provided some one could be found who would expend the
time and effort to provide it. Just that opportunity has been presented,
and it is a pleasure to say that many have appreciated it.
* * * * *
THE PRESIDENT: There is no one thing that would get results for you
better than a good periodical. The Department of Agriculture issues
bulletins but that department cannot go into the journal business, the
business of publishing my opinion or someone else's opinion. The
Department of Agriculture must confine itself to the summaries of facts,
and that leaves a gap that must be filled in by some good periodical
properly edited. It is with great pleasure that we see the _American
Nut Journal_ which Mr. Olcott is putting out and attempting to give us
the best he can get. The chair will be glad to hear any further
suggestions on this subject.
_W. C. Reed_: I think we are very fortunate in having a journal of this
kind, and having known Mr. Olcott for a number of years I know he is
giving the people a good journal. I think it is customary in most
instances for all trade organizations to have their journal, and I think
in this case the Northern Nut Growers Association ought to adopt _The
American Nut Journal_ as their official organ. I make that as a motion.
MR. MCCOY: I second the motion.
THE PRESIDENT: It has been moved and seconded that we adopt _The
American Nut Journal_ as the official organ of our association.
(Motion unanimously carried.)
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. W. C. Reed, you have something on the program and we
will be glad to hear from you now.
MR. REED: I had prepared a short paper on top working the black walnut
with the Persian or English walnut but I won't read the paper on account
of the limited time, for there are others here we would rather hear
from. Quite a number of you are going to Vincennes and you can ask
questions there and understand it better than I can tell you here.
However there may be some that can't go along, so any questions you want
to ask at this time I will be glad to answer.
MR. POTTER: It will be impossible for me to go to Vincennes on Saturday
as I have to go home tomorrow night. I would like to ask Mr. Reed if the
method of grafting the pecan is the same as top working the black
walnut?
MR. REED: Yes sir. Suppose this is a large tree twelve, eighteen or
twenty inches in diameter. We cut the limbs back to where they are four
or five inches in diameter and, supposing that we want to graft this
limb here, we will cut it up here one or two feet because it is hard to
cut limbs without their splitting. Sometimes they will split on both
sides. For that reason we cut them high and then again, later, back to
where we want to graft. We usually find it best to do the first cutting
back along the latter part of February or first of March, and when it
gets time to do our grafting we cut them off again about two inches so
that we shall have fresh wood. We saw them with a fine tooth saw. We
prefer to do our grafting from about the first to the tenth of May. We
keep scions in cold storage. I think that is quite an advantage although
I haven't tried the walnut in cold storage until this year and hadn't
thought very much about it until the last few years: but we find the
ones we were most successful with were the ones we had kept in cold
storage.
PROFESSOR SMITH: What time were they cut?
MR. REED: In February, I think, but I think it would be much better if
they were cut in November or early December, especially the walnut, and
I shall do that this year. With the pecans I don't think it will make
any difference.
PROFESSOR SMITH: What temperature in storage do you use?
[Illustration: W. C. REED
Vice-President of the Northern Nut Growers Association]
MR. REED: Ordinary apple storage, thirty-two to thirty-eight, or
freezing. This spring we grafted between the first and tenth of May;
some of the trees were in full leaf. The sap was flowing very readily
and they bled very freely, although the ones that had been cut back
early would not bleed like the ones you cut when you are ready to graft.
In grafting we used the wedge graft, splitting straight down and placing
three or four scions on each limb three or four inches in diameter.
However the method we like the best is the slip bark method, but we have
had fairly good results with both methods. Of the trees we grafted this
spring 60 to 75 per cent were grafted from cold storage scions. We used
some that had not been in cold storage, and we didn't get them to grow.
We wax the grafts thoroughly and cover them with paper sacks. We do not
use any tying on the large limbs as we don't find it necessary. However,
we have done more budding than grafting in top working large trees and I
think it is a little surer, but we have been fairly successful with
both. For budding we cut them back the same as if we were going to
graft. We let the sprouts grow until about the middle of July or first
or middle of August, and we have let them go as late as the first of
September. Then they are ready for budding. We follow about the same
method as has been demonstrated. In working large trees it is very
important that you keep all cuts waxed thoroughly with grafting wax.
MR. MCCOY: Have you had this experience, that English walnuts will
produce female blooms before they do the male blooms?
MR. REED: We haven't had them long enough to determine that clearly. We
have eight trees and four of them produced pistillate blooms and we had
to bring pollen to pollenize them.
MR. MCCOY: It is possible to have your sprouts almost where you want
them by taking the sharp end of an old file and dressing the bark
carefully. The buds are more apt to come there than anywhere.
MR. REED: We sometimes lose a good many shoots from storms. One tree was
budded about three weeks ago and that storm about ten days ago broke
every one of them.
MR. POMEROY: What time did you say to bud the black walnut?
MR. REED: About the first of August, from the middle of July to the
middle of August, as a rule. We are budding some yet. That depends on
the wood; do it when the wood is ripe enough. We are holding back on
some now to get the wood ripe enough, and as fast as they get ripe
enough we bud them. You can bud them late if you cut them back freely in
the spring, smooth with the ground. Then your buds will take much more
rapidly because you have the sap.
MR. MCCOY: Have you had the best success when you cut your trees back in
the pruning season? In slip bark grafting there are two ways, you know.
One is to wait until you are ready to graft and then cut back. Which do
you think is the best?
MR. REED: In top working the large trees we had the best success cutting
back early, that is in the nursery. We have never cut back any at the
time we were ready to do the work.
MR. MCCOY: In other words you head off the sap flow?
MR. REED: Yes sir, we hold it back.
J. F. WILKINSON: Do you find it any advantage to cut your leaflets off
before you bud?
MR. REED: I haven't tried that enough to know. When you were at our
place some of them had been trimmed in full leaf and had dropped the
leaf stalk, and some had been cut off three weeks and still didn't let
loose. We can tell more next spring as I kept a record of that.
MR. POMEROY: How do you know when it is ripe enough?
MR. REED: I don't think a man lives who knows exactly. You have to use
your own judgment. For instance, when bud wood colors up like this I
would feel sure it was ripe enough. When it is green I am more afraid of
it, although we have some good success with the green wood, but cold
storage wood is still better.
DR. MORRIS: Professor Van Deman said the other day that in cutting bud
wood at this time of year it is good to give the bud rest for two or
three days. He cuts the scions and puts them in the ice house. That
gives them rest and the buds start better and are firmer. Has anyone had
experience with that way?
MR. DORR: There is another question I want to ask. If we want to
experiment with the processes that have been suggested here, shouldn't
Evansville have a place where we can store scions? We should have an ice
house. Some of us who don't have shoes, haven't any ice house. I worked
in South Carolina one time and made this discovery, and it almost made
me weak. The great majority of farmers in South Carolina are men who
make fifty dollars a year; they cultivate three acres and own a mule in
partnership with two or three other men. Suppose some enthusiast like
this man plants an orchard there. What inducement has he for that kind
of work? The dream I have had here for Evansville, which is my home, is
to bring some of that kind of work into the high schools.
MR. WHITE: In regard to the point brought out by Dr. Morris about cold
storage bud wood, I believe that it is better for being chilled. We have
found it hastens the callous. The same theory has been borne out by the
work of the Department of Agriculture in propagating the blueberry.
They found it would not callous and form roots unless they chilled it.
Isn't that right, Mr. Close?
PROFFESSOR CLOSE: I don't remember that.
MR. WHITE: I think all wood must be frozen or chilled, or put in cold
storage, before it will take well. I found that by putting scions in
cold storage they callous much more readily. Where the temperature is
near the freezing point walnut and pecan wood will callous more readily.
On some that I took out on the 31st of July I had written the names, and
the callous had formed until we could scarcely read the names. In a week
or ten days the callous was around them. On new wood, it would take
twice as long.
PROFESSOR SMITH: If they had calloused in cold storage was it because
they had been too warm?
MR. WHITE: No sir. If you will take a tree that you want to set out and
cover the roots until you can set it out, you will find the callous
forming no matter if the ground is frozen hard.
PROFESSOR SMITH: You mean a tree planted in the fall?
MR. WHITE: Yes sir.
MR. POMEROY: Where one had no cold storage what would he do?
THE PRESIDENT: If you haven't cold storage, such as Evansville affords,
and have an ice house you can use that. It is very important to pack the
scions in excelsior and sawdust and be sure there is very slight
moisture, and to paper line your boxes. Colonel Sober keeps chestnut
scions by standing them on end in cans. He fills in with a thin layer of
sawdust, punches holes for them to breathe, puts a lid on and sets them
in the ice house and says they keep splendidly.
PROFESSOR SMITH: In an ordinary ice house?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes sir.
COLONEL SOBER: I have kept them that way for two years.
MR. WHITE: Dr. Morris will tell you the next best thing if you haven't
cold storage.
DR. MORRIS: We use a method I got from Professor Craig, the way he kept
his for many years. His plan was to set a plain wooden box very smoothly
on the ground, smooth off the ground so the box would set evenly on all
sides, then pack in a layer of perhaps half an inch of fine leaves like
black locust leaves, and on that he would put a single layer of scions,
then, more leaves and scions.
MR. MOSELEY: If you have an ordinary ice box, would that be cold enough
to put the buds in?
DR. MORRIS: I think that would be plenty cold enough. I know of a man
in Maryland that has been using that for a number of years.
THE SECRETARY: Do you wax the ends?
DR. MORRIS: Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't.
THE PRESIDENT: You couldn't keep your scions all the time in an ice box,
could you?
DR. MORRIS: No, not for any length of time, but just for a few days you
could, in an ordinary refrigerator.
THE PRESIDENT: When you cut your scions in the winter for future use,
you should keep them down pretty close to freezing. I used scions in
Maryland this spring cut last February in this locality. We put them in
cold storage and kept them there until April. Then they were taken out
and shipped to me in Washington. They arrived in perfect condition and I
took them to a big green house across the street and put them in a long
box and set them up in the big refrigerator where they kept their buds.
I had these within two inches of a thousand pounds of ice and the Green
River proceeded to grow within two weeks. You have to keep them in cold
storage. It is so cheap, however, in Evansville that there is no excuse
not to keep them in perfect condition. These cold storage people here,
Holt & Brandon, are very fine people. We have kept very large amounts of
bud wood there and their charges have been very small.
Before we get through I want to call your attention to the rest of the
program. Immediately after adjournment there will be automobiles waiting
to take all who want to go sight seeing in Evansville. This is by the
courtesy of the Evansville Business Association. I want especially again
to call your attention to the lecture tonight by Mr. C. A. Reed, and for
fear that those here may have an idea that it will be strictly technical
I wish to say that he will avoid technicalities as far as possible. He
has one of the finest collections of lantern slides I have ever seen. He
will take you to the walnut regions of California and to nut regions all
over the United States. Any questions asked him will be cheerfully
answered but I would suggest that unless there is something extremely
important, you reserve your questions until the conclusion of his talk
and not interrupt unnecessarily because there are a great many slides to
get through with. Those of you who are here, come tonight and bring your
friends, bring the ladies and children and everybody else, because it
will be interesting and educative generally. Do not forget that we leave
in the morning at 7:15, not 16, nor 26; that car will leave at 7:15 and
if you will be there on time we can got together on the car. We will
now adjourn until 8 o'clock.
* * * * *
Meeting re-convened at 8:00 P. M.
THE PRESIDENT: The first thing on the program will be an invitation to
join the association. For the purposes of our organization we need
members, and we especially need anyone who has any interest whatever in
nut culture. The membership of persons joining now will expire on the
31st day of December, 1914; the membership dues are $2 per year, which
includes a copy of the annual report. By joining now you get this report
and the three preceding ones.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: Mr. Chairman, may I say something regarding the annual
report?
THE PRESIDENT: We will be glad to hear you, Professor Close.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: It seems to me that those who pay dues for 1914 ought
to receive the report of the meeting for 1914 no matter when it is
printed, even if it is not for three or four months after the end of the
calendar year. In that way the reports will match the calendar year;
that is they are the reports for the year that the meeting was held and
the papers and discussions took place, and this one should be known as
the report for 1914. That is the way we run them in the other societies
and it seems to me there would be no confusion at all if it were managed
in that way.
THE PRESIDENT: The chair very heartily agrees with that suggestion and
thinks that should be the practice of the society. The chair would be
very glad to entertain a motion to make that the rule.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: I should be glad to make the motion that the
proceedings of the meeting of each calendar year be reported as of that
calendar year and distributed to the members who pay dues for that
calendar year.
(Seconded and carried unanimously.)
THE PRESIDENT: Are there any other candidates for admission to this
society? If so, hold up your hands and our distinguished secretary will
visit you immediately. Are there any committee reports?
W. C. REED: The committee on nomenclature desires to report as follows:
Voted on the Smith and Potter resolution to recommend changing the
name of the Busseron pecan to Vincennes; Posey pecan to Wabash;
Buttrick pecan to Illinois. It was the opinion of the committee
that the other names of pecans had been established by the
Department of Agriculture by printing in the year book, and that it
was not advisable to change them.
We recommend, as advisable for members introducing new varieties,
to confer with the committee on nomenclature before listing new
names.
Signed. W. C. REED,
W. C. DEMING,
R. L. MCCOY,
R. T. MORRIS,
C. A. REED.
A MEMBER: I move the adoption of this report.
A MEMBER: I second the motion.
THE PRESIDENT: It has been moved and seconded that the report of the
committee on nomenclature be adopted. Are you ready for the question?
All in favor of the motion make it known in the usual way. It is
unanimously carried that we adopt this report. Are there any other
committee reports?
PROFESSOR CLOSE: Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: The committee on
exhibits has not had a very arduous duty, because we can't have at this
time of year very extensive exhibits. But what we have are very
interesting. Mr. W. C. Reed has an exhibit of English walnuts, hickory
nuts and hardy almonds. You have all noticed the exhibits he has in the
glass case. That is very instructive and is put up in such a way that it
can be carried from place to place. He also has some photographs of
trees. Mr. Wilkinson has an exhibit of fruiting limbs of shagbark
hickory and pecans, and various seedlings. To some of us some of those
things are almost new. Colonel Sober has an exhibit of grafted chestnut
trees. He also has the burrs and in glass jars he has the nuts. Then
there is quite an exhibit of the native varieties made by our president,
which is very fine. There are also some persimmons. I think, everything
considered, the society is to be congratulated upon the quality of the
exhibits even though the quantity is not so very great.
THE PRESIDENT: If there is no objection the report of the committee on
exhibits will be adopted. The report is adopted. Are there any further
committee reports?
MR. POTTER: The committee on resolutions reports as follows:
_Resolved_, That we extend our thanks to the Mayor and the Citizens
of Evansville, Indiana, for the courteous entertainment they have
favored us with, and for the excellent facilities that they have
placed at our disposal.
_Second_--That we extend to the Evansville Business Association,
and to the members thereof, our deep appreciation of their
entertainment and courteous treatment that they have extended to
our association.
_Third_--That we extend our deep appreciation and gratitude to Hon.
T. P. Littlepage, our president, and Dr. W. C. Deming, our
secretary, for their untiring and valuable services in behalf of
this association.
_Fourth_--That we express the thanks of the association to its
members and others who have attended this meeting, and helped to
make it a success.
_Fifth_--That we especially extend our thanks and appreciation to
Mr. C. A. Reed of the Department of Agriculture at Washington, D.
C., and to Col. C. K. Sober, for their excellent lectures and
special work in behalf of this association at this meeting.
_Sixth_--That we express our most sincere thanks and appreciation
to J. F. Wilkinson, for his courteous treatment and entertainment
of this association at his home.
_Seventh_--Be it further _resolved_, that we especially thank each
and every individual member of this association, for their
attendance at this meeting, and for their earnest efforts and
interest in behalf of the same, in helping to make this meeting a
success in every way, and making it the most enthusiastic meeting
that has ever been held by this association, and we thank any and
all members for any special work or research that has been carried
on by said member in behalf of this association, as disclosed by
this meeting.
_Eighth--Resolved_, That we extend to Mr. W. C. Reed our sincere
thanks for his kind invitation to the members of the association to
be his guests at his home in Vincennes, Indiana, on Saturday,
August 22d, 1914.
Signed. W. O. POTTER,
H. R. WEBER,
J. RUSSELL SMITH.
THE PRESIDENT: If there are no objections, the report of the committee
on resolutions will be adopted. It is so ordered. The next thing on the
program will be the lecture and lantern slides by Mr. C. A. Reed.
* * * * *
Meeting called to order at Enterprise, on Friday, August 21, at 10:30 A.
M.
THE PRESIDENT: I want the records to show that this meeting convened in
Enterprise, Luce Township, Spencer County, Indiana, where the members of
the Northern Nut Growers Association visited and studied the native Ohio
River pecan trees, and I want to hear the opinions of the different
visitors. The state entomologist, Mr. Baldwin, will please express
himself upon the native pecan trees on the Ohio River.
MR. BALDWIN: My remarks will be so brief it will not be necessary for me
to go forward. I don't know that it is necessary for me to mention the
fact that I have never lived in and very seldom visited, localities
where pecans grow in this state and cannot, therefore, express an
authoritative opinion as to the merits and demerits of the pecan trees
in this section. It is noticeable that the trees are more free from
insects and fungus trouble than trees in many places. Mr. Simpson, who
has had considerable experience in the South, called my attention to a
very destructive pest that does not exist here in numbers sufficient to
be destructive, as it is in Florida, but he is of the opinion that it
was introduced into that section from this section.
MR. PRESIDENT: What is it?
MR. BALDWIN: Mr. Simpson says--I didn't see any of the insects, and
probably you couldn't identify it without labor,--but Mr. Simpson says
there are two broods and the second brood is now at work. This certainly
is a good field for work for the entomologist. Of course the same thing
would hold true with this insect that is true of others; when a new
species is introduced into a country where it has not heretofore
existed, where the natural parasites are not found, it is more
destructive than where the natural parasites exist. That point is
illustrated very well by the moths that are so very destructive in New
England, and don't do very much damage in the countries from which they
come. From my observations on other native nut trees I was greatly
impressed with the abundance of nuts that some of the native trees bear
here. I am sorry I am not able to talk about something that would be
more interesting to those interested in pecans and other nuts.
THE CHAIRMAN: I should be glad to have our secretary put in the record a
few of his observations.
DR. DEMING: Mr. Littlepage has been talking to us about these pecans
since we started this organization, and has long promised to show us
these trees. We can't get any idea of such trees without seeing them. We
have had many word pictures of them but I had not been able to form any
idea of how great they are. They have a beautiful outline as we see it
silhouetted against the sky, and every evidence of being trees that bear
lots of nuts, which is the kind of trees we are all looking for. We
don't have the pecan tree in the North as a native at all. There are a
few in New England, a few scattered here and there, but none bearing. I
have heard of a pecan not far from my home, possibly twenty-five miles,
that does not bear. I have seen in the city of Hartford a pecan tree
that was nine feet and three inches in circumference and ninety feet
high, of unknown origin, but not bearing. The nut tree that grows best
through our part of the country is the shagbark hickory. It is very much
like the pecan tree here, but never grows to anything like its size, is
not nearly so beautiful a tree and I don't believe it bears as heavily.
I think the average hickory nuts there are very much inferior to the
average pecan here. We also haven't the black walnut there as a native.
That is I have never seen it native though it probably was originally so
in parts of the country. However, when planted it grows to a very large
size, and makes a magnificent tree. About ten miles from my house is the
largest in the state. We have lots of butternuts over the country but no
nut tree that compares in beauty and usefulness with the pecan here.
THE PRESIDENT: Dr. Smith should be able to size up the situation and
give us some of his impressions. I want to get them in the record.
DR. SMITH: Gentlemen, I don't see how anybody can live by these trees
here and not realize that they are a source of fortune. I can't
understand how men can look at them every year, gather and sell the nuts
and not realize that they are a source of livelihood. I just measured a
big tree in a tobacco field down the road that was thirteen feet and
eleven inches in circumference, that had a sixty foot reach, and was
about one hundred and twenty-five feet high. We measured another, that
had a sixty-six foot reach and they were all bending down with fruit. It
was marvelous and they were certainly giving us their evidence that the
thing for us to do is to go ahead and reproduce them.
THE PRESIDENT: Dr. Van Duzee, tell us your impressions of these trees.
COL. VAN DUZEE: Mr. Chairman, I simply will add this. As I came through
this wonderfully fertile section of the country, I observed people
building bungalows and cottages and setting out trees other than pecan
in their dooryards. That is the pity of it. As Dr. Smith says these
people here are living close to some of the most magnificent natural
trees I have ever seen, and yet they will go and plant around their
gardens trees that will do nothing in the world but produce shade. It
seems to me there is room for the best kind of missionary work here. I
am glad the nut growers met here and I hope the effect will be to cause
people to think. As we came down the road we estimated that on one tree
there were four or five hundred pounds of nuts. The owner of that tree
didn't study the soil that produced that magnificent crop. Our driver
said they had had two years of failure in their farming operations and
yet right here in the same place nature has handed them another
magnificent crop. I have an idea that the average annual value per acre
of crops on the farms of southern Indiana and Illinois will run in the
neighborhood of a ten dollar bill, and here is a tree, one tree,
presenting thirty dollars. I have no doubt in the world that there will
be fifty or sixty dollars' worth of nuts on this tree up here, and it
doesn't occupy a quarter of an acre of land.
I want to speak about the insects. I don't believe you need to worry
about these unless the planting goes away beyond what I think it will in
this section. Here is the proof, right here in this river bottom in the
nuts we see on these trees and the growth of the trees. They are
thrifty, not mutilated by insects or dying. They are at home and the
conditions are absolutely favorable. I have been very much pleased and
very glad I came, and if I were not thoroughly tied up in a section I
think is more adapted to nut growing, I should come up here and
undertake to do something in this section, for I see great
possibilities.
THE PRESIDENT: That is an opinion that is of real value. Now I will call
for volunteers. Those of you who have been sight seeing here and have
impressions and ideas you would like to express we should be glad to
hear from.
PROFESSOR CLOSE: One thought that has interested me is this. If we
should take away from this neighborhood about half a dozen men this
great industry would be forgotten. It is to these men who have done this
kind of work that we owe a great deal. They are engaged in a wonderful
work. I presume they realize how great it is. It means the developing of
an industry that will grow in the United States and could be carried to
other countries. These great trees are a wonder, no question about it,
and the fact that here is a new industry being pushed by half a dozen
men is still more wonderful.
THE PRESIDENT: If this section of the country had been planted to
seedling pecans it would have made every man who owned forty acres of
it, comfortable. We have with us Mr. Dodd, who is one of the old
residents of this neighborhood. He can tell us some interesting things.
He was here long before I came and looks at present as if he might be
here many years yet. We certainly hope he will be. If it were not for
him we would not know that Enterprise is on the map. He reports for the
county paper and keeps the world in touch with Enterprise. I should like
to hear him tell about the old pecan trees when he first knew them, and
I want what he knows about them to go into the record.
MR. DODD: Mr. President, and Ladies and Gentlemen: I'm no speech maker,
never made one in my life, but I guess I know something about the pecan
business. These trees were here when I came and that was in 1852. Those
big trees that you looked at were big trees then, and must have been
fifty years old, I judge, from what I have learned from older people. So
you see they have been there a long time. I have a piece of ground here
and if I had known as much about the pecan business then as I do now I
would have had every foot of my land in pecans. I make a right smart
little money in pecans as it is. Littlepage knows that. I have shipped
pecans to him off my trees, shipped them to him many times. They are no
better than the others, but we are old friends and he wanted me to send
them to him and I did. I don't know anything about the pecan business in
a general way, as to what they will produce or how much money they will
average, but I think we have slept on our rights in this country for
seventy-five years. If that is any good to you, you are welcome to it,
and we are glad you are here today.
MR. POMEROY: One tree out in the back here looks as if it might be
fifteen or sixteen years old and it is bearing well. It is a large tree
well filled with nuts, notwithstanding the fact that lightning has
struck it twice and destroyed at least two years' crops. It seems to me
there are thousands of dollars to be made in an investment in nut trees
here where they do so well.
THE PRESIDENT: Now has any one else any observations to make? Mr. Weber.
MR. WEBER: Out here you remember you showed us quite a number of
seedlings growing in a corn field like milkweeds, growing right
alongside of them, and one of us thought the milkweeds were the pecans,
as they looked much the same. It seems to be hard to keep them down.
THE PRESIDENT: That reminds me that when this organization was formed I
had the honor of being the first man on the ground. Dr. Deming called
the meeting to order, Dr. Morris was there and so was Professor Craig,
who has since passed to the great beyond, and a number of others, and I
remember telling the bunch who were there at that time, that if I ever
had the opportunity I would take them into a country where the pecans
really grew. I have attempted to make good. If there remains any doubt
in your minds we will proceed to lose you in the great Green River pecan
woods, and if you are not pretty well stocked with provisions, you may
never get out. I told Professor Close who is making a study of the
pawpaw for the Department of Agriculture, that we also grew pawpaws in
southern Indiana and that I would show him some large trees. So he came
down with us and we went to Boonville and got in Senator Hemenway's
automobile and I introduced him to a pawpaw tree six feet and a half in
circumference at the ground, five foot in circumference three feet from
the ground. So the chair takes some pleasure in having been able to
show the things that were promised. Let us hear from Mr. Riehl.
MR. RIEHL: I think you folks are very unfair to me. You have said
everything I wanted to say before you called on me and I really don't
know what else I can say. I had in mind what Professor Smith has been
saying to me, and what some of you people have already said, that it is
time for you people here to wake up. You don't know what you have got.
You are like people in many other sections of the country, they don't
appreciate what they have at their very doorways. If I were a young man,
I would come here and plant pecan and walnut trees, but I am too old now
to make such changes. In a few years you may remember what I have said.
The walnuts are as profitable as anything else, and much more so than
any farm crop you can grow. Nothing will produce as much value and with
as little trouble as nut trees. I am convinced of that.
PROFESSOR SMITH: If they would follow your suggestions they would soon
have another Garden of Eden.
THE PRESIDENT: Professor Smith has reminded us that the crops in the
Garden of Eden were purely tree crops, and they grew without effort. But
after the fall Adam and Eve had to go out and cultivate the soil and
raise corn. Probably in that garden they had pecans and walnuts. I
believe that is his theory and it may be good.
PROFESSOR SMITH: O, beg your pardon, that is in the book of Genesis. The
text describes nothing whatever except trees, and then Adam fell and had
to dig in the ground and make his bread by the sweat of his face.
MR. POTTER: Is the tree of knowledge the pecan tree?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't know. Can any one else say?
PROFESSOR SMITH: My remarks on the Garden of Eden were brought out by
what our President said, but I have published others that are not very
lengthy and you can buy them.
THE PRESIDENT: Let's hear from Mr. Lockwood.
MR. LOCKWOOD: Dr. Knapp wants me to expose my ignorance and tell you the
crimes I committed and intended to commit. It was about three years ago
that we purchased a little over a thousand acres in Gibson County, near
Grayville, and about three hundred and fifty acres of it were in timber.
We decided to clear up as rapidly as possible all the forest land and
cultivate it in corn. Now comes the crime which Dr. Knapp wants me to
expose and I am going to confess it. We deadened probably a hundred of
as fine pecan trees as you ever saw, from six to eighteen inches in
diameter, and Dr. Knapp heard about it and visited our farm, and it was
on his account principally that we quit cutting the pecan trees. Now if
anybody else cuts them we have them arrested. We have the second best
orchard in Gibson County. I have joined the association and came here to
get a line on you and I have got a good many good things by coming. I
would like to have you visit our farms. We have some very fine trees to
see and I will also give you something to eat, because I am the chief
cook. I want to emphasize the remark one member made that it is a great
work these men are doing. You get that impression when you come to the
meeting, and it shows great sacrifice and love for their fellow men.
THE PRESIDENT: That is very good, Mr. Lockwood. Now Dr. Knapp will tell
us what he thinks.
DR. KNAPP: I know very little about pecans but I was interested in Mr.
Lockwood's trees because he had a magnificent pecan orchard, possibly
five hundred trees, and they were contemplating having the trees cut
down because they thought they were in the way of the cultivation of the
land for corn. This is not the case because the pecan tree goes away
down deep for water and is not like the surface root trees. I have seen
large wheat fields in the same location with large pecan trees in them,
and men have told me that they produce just as much per acre on the land
where the pecan trees are as where there are no pecan trees. I went to
see Mr. Lockwood and took him what little literature I had on the pecan
industry and promised to send him some more, and insisted that he read
it before he destroyed his trees. He kept his promise and I am glad to
see that he has taken an interest in the pecan industry.
THE CHAIRMAN: You are a real benefactor, Dr. Knapp, and entitled to
great praise.
PROFESSOR SMITH: While we are distributing things gratis I want to make
a little statement in the same vein as a previous speaker. He points out
the work that a few enthusiasts are doing. Most of the things worth
while are done by the people who never get any credit in a financial
way. You will find the things that count are started and done by that
live force of men that work for the fun of working with no promise of
reward. Why should Mr. McCoy or Mr. Reed come down here and tell us how
to bud trees, and what varieties to use? It is plainly a labor of
enthusiasm and love. I want to express my particular appreciation of the
work done by Mr. Thomas P. Littlepage. We hear from Indiana through Mr.
Littlepage. On every occasion when we get in trouble and want bud wood,
along he comes and helps us out. He seems to have all kinds of equipment
for keeping it or he can always go to a pecan tree and get it. We never
hear of the trouble or expense. He spends money as if he had a barrel of
it. He has spent lots of money trying to get the people to know there
was an Indiana pecan. We also know that Mr. McCoy and Mr. Wilkinson and
others too numerous to mention have lost thousands of dollars and have
worked long and hard to get this industry started. The industry needs
enthusiasm and no end of work. It means work to get out and hunt trees
and bud wood and these men are entitled to lots of credit for their
efforts.
THE PRESIDENT: The chair appreciates that compliment but he is hardly
entitled to so much praise. However, all the efforts we have made to
create interest in the pecan have been well spent. We have had lots of
trouble in getting bud wood and if it had not been for Ford Wilkinson we
never would have gotten anywhere. He is the best climber in the country.
He has gone at all times and under all conditions and has done more real
hard work than all the rest of us put together. He always climbs the
trees. The Major tree is about fifty feet to the first limb. We couldn't
have gotten along without him. And Mr. McCoy is entitled to great
credit. The first time I ever saw the Posey nut Mr. McCoy brought some
to my home in Boonville. That was a number of years ago. He first
stimulated Mr. Brown to put the Warrick pecan on exhibition. As I grew
up I knew where these pecan trees were and who kept a dog and what time
he got up and there were not many pecan trees then I would not attempt
to climb, but I wasn't as large as I am now. Of late years Mr. Wilkinson
has done more than I have along that line.
MR WILKINSON: I appreciate what you say of me but it takes all kinds of
people to make a world and to grow pecan trees. I have tried to do my
part but without the others I couldn't have done anything. We expect to
continue at the work as long as there is any success in sight at all and
hope soon that some of the hard part will be over.
THE PRESIDENT: Before we leave that subject I want to say that a few
years ago some of us who had begun to think we knew something about the
pecan and were quite sure of our ground, induced Mr. C. A. Reed of the
Department of Agriculture to come down here and make some trips through
these woods and tell us what he knew, or what he thought of these
pecans. We gave him all the facts we could, and the suggestions he made
started us on the right track as to the varieties to propagate.
THE PRESIDENT: The boat is ready, but before we go I want the report on
nominations. I want the officers elected in Enterprise.
DR. DEMING: I would like to say this before we proceed to the election
of officers. There has been some talk among us that it would stimulate
interest in our work and meetings, and would enable us to confer honors
on more people, and more members who deserve such honors, if the term of
the presidency were limited to one year. There has been no rule about it
but our first two presidents have each held office two years. They have
been re-elected to office as a matter of courtesy and appreciation of
their efforts. If from now on we limit the term of the presidency to one
year I think it would be better. We think it would be desirable to make
the rule that the President shall not be eligible for immediate
re-election, that is, he shall not follow himself. I mention it so that
if this rule is adopted in the revision of our constitution and by-laws
the person who is about to be elected President, and the members of the
association, will understand that there will be nothing personal about
such action.
THE PRESIDENT: In connection with that I should like to say that the
present President has at different times heard suggestions of that kind
made, and I am glad you mentioned it. I wasn't fortunate enough last
year to be at the meeting, as I had to be in St. Louis to help try a
case before the interstate commerce commission, or I should have brought
that up then.
Dr. Morris is absent and Professor Close is the next on the committee on
nominations. Professor Close, will you report?
PROFESSOR CLOSE: I did not know I was the next member and Dr. Morris did
not leave any data with me. However we discussed it and decided to
recommend the election of J. Russell Smith for President, Mr. W. C. Reed
for Vice-President and Dr. Deming for Secretary and Treasurer.
THE PRESIDENT: Any remarks on the report of the nominating committee? If
not, those in favor of adopting the report, thereby declaring the
officers named elected, make it known by rising. (Vote taken.) Contrary
by the same sign. Your officers for the next year will be Dr. J. Russell
Smith, President, W. C. Reed, Vice-President, and Dr. W. C. Deming,
Secretary and Treasurer. I congratulate the association.
Meeting adjourned.
* * * * *
Meeting called to order at 8:30 p. m., at Evansville, Indiana.
PROFESSOR SMITH: The members of this association have always got to be
on the lookout for good parent trees of any and all varieties of nuts. I
think, however, there is a shortage of information in the matter of
walnuts. I have talked to a number of persons and it is the general
opinion that we want to know, and know quickly, more about parent trees
of the Persian walnut. I therefore move that the chair appoint a
committee to give this matter particular attention during the next
twelve months and report at the next annual meeting.
(Seconded and carried)
THE PRESIDENT: The chair appoints the incoming President, C. P. Close
and C. A. Reed.
The next is the question about the place of the next meeting. It occurs
to the chair that it might be desirable to leave that to the executive
committee. But that is a matter for the association to decide and the
chair will entertain motions or suggestions.
MR. C. A. REED: I was going to move that it be left to the committee. I
know from past experiences that is the best course to pursue.
(Seconded and carried.)
COLONEL VAN DUZEE: I would like very much to extend a cordial invitation
to the members of this association to meet with the National Association
at Thomasville, Georgia, in October. We have a program full of merit.
Our meeting will be held in the heart of the nut planting area where all
the pecan planting has been done in the last few years. We have several
fine orchards in the immediate vicinity and matters of general interest
will be discussed. We would be glad to have anybody that can meet with
us, and if you have friends interested in nut culture we will be glad to
have them.
THE PRESIDENT: It is unnecessary to say that the South has forged ahead
of us in pecan culture, and she not only has great pecan orchards but
she has great men who have done this work and they will be at the
meeting of the National Nut Growers. I have had the pleasure of
attending some of these meetings and I can say to the members here it
will be well worth their while to go down there.
Is there any further business? If not we will have Colonel Sober's
paper, after which the pictures will follow.
PROFESSOR SMITH: I am sure after hearing Colonel Sober's lecture, and
seeing his pictures, we will want to ask him some questions. I know
that Colonel Sober has worked out an unique method in the root system,
and I wish he would tell us about it.
COLONEL SOBER: The slides I have will show that.
THE PRESIDENT: Is there anything else?
MR. DOAN: How does Colonel Sober take care of the blight?
COLONEL SOBER: In answer to that I will say that in 1909 I discovered
the blight on some trees, just a speck, and I took my knife and cut it
off. That is my best method and then you are sure of it.
THE PRESIDENT: Are there any further questions?
MR. DOAN: Are all his trees Paragon?
THE PRESIDENT: I think they are. The Secretary will read Colonel Sober's
paper.
* * * * *
The Secretary here read extracts from the preface and introduction to
Fuller's book on nut culture, prepared by Col. C. K. Sober, with
personal interpellations, as follows:
* * * * *
I believe that the moment is opportune for advocating an effort to
cultivate all kinds of edible and otherwise useful nut-bearing trees and
shrubs adapted to the soil and climate of the United States, thereby
inaugurating a great, permanent and far-reaching industry. We are
spending millions for imported articles of everyday use which might
easily and with large profit be produced at home, and in many instances
the most humiliating part of the transaction is that we send our money
to people who do not purchase any of our productions and almost ignore
us in commercial matters. I am not referring to products ill-adapted to
our climate, nor to those which, owing to scarcity and high price of
labor, we are unable to produce profitably, but to such nuts as the
walnut, hickory, butternut, pecan and chestnut which we can raise as
readily as peaches, apples and pears. There certainly can be no excuse
for the neglect of such nut trees on the score of cost of labor in
propagation and planting, because our streets and highways are lined and
shaded with equally expensive kinds, although they are absolutely
worthless for any other purpose than shade or shelter, yielding nothing
in the way of food for either man or beast. Can any one invent a
reasonable excuse for planting miles and miles of roadside trees of such
kinds as elm, maple, ash, willow, cottonwood and many other similar
kinds, where shellbark hickory, walnut, butternut, pecan and chestnut
would thrive just as well, cost no more, and yet yield bushels of
delicious and highly prized nuts, and this annually or in alternate
years, continuing, and increasing in productiveness for one, two or
more centuries. The nut trees which grow to a large size are just as
well adapted for planting along roadsides, in the open country, as other
kinds that yield nothing in the way of food for either man or beast.
They are also fully as beautiful in form and foliage, and in many
instances far superior to the kinds often selected for such purposes.
The only objection I have heard of as being urged against planting fruit
and nut trees along the highway is that they tempt boys and girls as
well as persons of larger growth to become trespassers. I find this only
applies to where there is such a scarcity that the quantity taken
perceptibly lessens the total crop. But where there is an abundance
either the temptation to trespass disappears or I fail to recognize the
loss. As we cannot very well dispense with the small boy and his sister
I am in favor of providing them bountifully with all the good things
that climate and circumstance will afford.
On my farms in Irish Valley, Northumberland County, Pa., I have planted
a Paragon chestnut tree every forty feet along the public highways and
driveways making a total of 769 trees. These trees range in age from
four to ten years old.
A mile in this country is 5,280 feet, and if chestnut trees are set
forty feet apart, which is allowing sufficient room for them to grow
during an ordinary lifetime, we get 133 trees per mile in a single row.
Two rows may be planted, where the roads are wide enough, one on each
side, and then we get 266 trees per mile. I can estimate the crop when
the chestnut trees are twenty years old at two bushels per tree, or 532
bushels for a double row per mile. At the moderate price of $4 per
bushel, we would realize $2,128 for the crop on a double row, with a
fair assurance that the yield would increase steadily for the next
hundred years or more, while the cost of gathering and marketing the
nuts is no greater, and in many instances much less, than that of the
ordinary grain crops. At the expiration of the first half century one
half of the trees may be removed, if they begin to crowd, and the timber
used for whatever purpose it may best be adapted. The remaining trees
would probably improve, on account of having more room for development.
The chestnut thrives best in light, well drained soil, and those
containing a large proportion of sand or decomposed quartz, slate and
gravel; but it is rarely found, nor does it thrive very well, in heavy
clays or limestone soil where the limestone rock comes near the surface.
It is true that chestnut groves, and sometimes extensive forests, are
found on hills and ridges overlying limestone, but a careful examination
of the soil among the trees will show that it is a drift deposit
containing little or no lime. I find in Pennsylvania the chestnut tree
grows from the banks of the Susquehanna River to the tops of the
mountains.
In planting the chestnut tree it should never be planted any deeper than
it was in the nursery rows. If planted any deeper it is certain death to
the tree, as I find that the earth placed around the trees above where
it was in the nursery rows scalds and destroys the tree. Here is where
the great mistake is made in planting out the chestnut tree, and this I
have found out by practical experience. It is far better to plant it one
inch less than it was in the nursery than to plant it an inch deeper.
There has been a steady increase in the demand for, and a corresponding
advance in the price of all kinds of edible nuts during the past three
or four decades, and this is likely to continue for many years to come,
because consumers are increasing far more rapidly than producers.
Besides, the forests, which have long been the only source of supply of
the native kinds, are rapidly disappearing, while there has not been, as
yet, any special effort to make good the loss by replanting or
otherwise. The dealers in such articles in our larger cities assure me
that the demand for our best kinds of edible nuts is far in excess of
the supply, and yet not one housewife or cook in a thousand in this
country has ever attempted to use nuts of any kind in the preparation of
meats and other dishes for the table, as is so generally practiced in
European and Oriental countries.
The question may be asked if the demand is sufficient to warrant the
planting of the hardy nut trees extensively along our highways or
elsewhere. In answer to such a question it may be said that we not only
consume all of the edible nuts raised in this country, but import
millions of pounds annually of the very kinds which thrive here as well
as in any other part of the world.
Where farmers want a row of trees along the roadside, to be utilized for
line fence posts, they cannot possibly find any kinds better adapted for
this purpose than chestnut, walnut, hickory and pecan. In a few years
they may yield enough to pay the taxes on the entire farm, the crop
increasing in amount and value not only during the lifetime of the
planter, but that of many generations of his descendants.
This appeal to the good sense of our rural population is made in all
sincerity and with the hope that it will be heeded by every man who has
a spark of patriotism in his soul, and who dares show it in his labors
by setting up a few milestones in the form of nut-bearing trees along
the roadsides--if for no other purpose than the present pleasure of
anticipating the gratification such monuments will afford the many who
are certain to pass along these highways years hence.
It is surely not good policy to enrich other nations at the expense of
our own people, as we are now doing in sending millions of dollars
annually to foreign countries in payment for such luxuries as edible
nuts that could be readily and profitably produced at home. There need
be no fear of an overproduction of such things, no matter how many may
engage in their cultivation.[A]
[Footnote A: Note by the secretary: At the time when Fuller wrote his
excellent book, the chestnut blight, as at present known, had not been
observed, although he makes an interesting reference to some disease of
the chestnut, of unknown nature, at one time destructive to the trees in
the Piedmont region. The Northern Nut Growers Association does not
recommend the planting of the chestnut in any region where the chestnut
blight, _Endothia parasitica_, is prevalent. With this exception the
association is heartily in sympathy with the sentiments expressed by the
writer.]
* * * * *
COLONEL VAN DUZEE: I have no questions to ask, but as I am going to be
obliged to leave the session before the close of the lecture, I should
like to express my appreciation of the paper which has been read and
make a remark or two. I am so heartily in sympathy, in this commercial
age, with some of the thoughts expressed there, that it is a pleasure to
listen to a paper which takes into consideration something a little
beyond, and the idea of planting trees by the roadside for the benefit
of humanity, is of too much importance to be overlooked. I could go on
at great length along this line, but as I have not time I just wanted to
express my appreciation before I have to go.
THE PRESIDENT: Has anyone else any suggestions or any general business?
THE SECRETARY: There has been no discussion at all of the filbert, I
think. That is a nut that is possibly going to be of great importance in
the future. I think it was Mr. Doan who asked me about the filbert and
there might be someone here who could give us some information about its
possibilities. Perhaps Mr. Reed could tell us something about it.
[Illustration: C. A. REED
In charge of Nut Culture Investigations, United States Department of
Agriculture]
MR. C. A. REED: Well, I am glad the subject has been brought up but I
would rather listen than try to talk. As Mr. Littlepage made clear in
his paper yesterday, there has been considerable effort in the eastern
states towards the introduction of the filbert, but almost uniformly
such attempts have met with failure. About two weeks ago some of us
visited Dr. Morris's place and while there we were shown some large
European filberts, ten to twelve feet high, bearing heavily. These were
not suffering from the effects of the blight at all so far as we could
see, and they were right in the district where the native northern
filbert is one of the most common of the wild plants. It was quite a
revelation to me to see the native filbert or hazels bearing so heavily.
Everywhere we went we saw low bushy hazels not over two feet from the
ground loaded with immature nuts. I thought there was an opportunity for
some nut enthusiast to canvass that territory, and find the best
individual plants for propagation. The filbert, it seems to me, offers
an unusually inviting field, and unless I am greatly mistaken there is a
great field for exploration. Dr. Deming lives in that same section, and
he tells us that on his farm the hazels are even more common than at Dr.
Morris's place. Dr. Morris agrees with us that there is a fine
opportunity for searching for the best varieties. He has done it and has
found, I believe, one which he thinks is especially fine. I would be
glad to hear from any one else about these nuts.
MR. RIEHL: Mr. President, I have made a little observation of the
European and I don't think it will count for very much. I know of trees
that were planted in one of our experiment stations. I last saw them
three or four years ago and they were twelve or fifteen feet high and
bearing very heavy crops. I saw no disease of any kind but it was in the
city of Alton and I don't suppose there is a native hazel within miles
of it. That may be why they were bearing so well and were exempt from
disease. I haven't seen those trees for the last four years and what has
happened to them I don't know. I intend to go and see what has become of
them.
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Doan, what is your especial interest in the hazel?
MR. DOAN: I think it offers great possibilities. The different species
that we have tried show that. The fact that it grows freely, even though
certain branches of it have the blight, which does not at once destroy
the whole bush, and the fact that it bears freely and abundantly, I
think are points in its favor. A great many persons couldn't wait eight
or ten years for a nut tree to bear but could wait a much shorter time.
I think this is one good point in favor of the hazels.
THE PRESIDENT: There is no doubt that the hazel offers a very excellent
opportunity for study and investigation. There are many varieties of the
native hazel that are very fine and it seems to me that therein lies a
field of work for this association. There is no information to the
productive nut grower of more value than the facts as to what these nuts
will do, how they can be produced, how quickly they bear, and what they
are worth. We have very little reliable information about the English
walnut. When we listened to Mr. Reed last night we were forced to the
conclusion that as yet we know nothing about it. There are a few
apparently promising English walnut trees throughout the North but there
are many things to be taken into consideration before you can recommend
those for propagation. It seems to me the hazel offers a field of
considerable importance. Has any one else any suggestions to offer?
MR POTTER: This hazel proposition interests almost every member of the
association. It seems to me as if we might get at something more
definite and instructive and I move that the chair appoint a special
committee to investigate the hazel, and report at the next meeting.
A MEMBER: I second the motion.
THE CHAIRMAN: It has been moved and seconded that the chair appoint a
committee of three to investigate the hazel or filbert, and report at
the next meeting. Are you ready for the question?
MR. RIEHL: I hardly think that will do any good. I believe there is a
field where good work can be done but I doubt whether the chair or any
one else is able to appoint a committee that can find out much that will
be of value between now and our next annual meeting. There are so few
superior hazels. I tried for many years to find a native hazel that is
worthy of planting. I have heard of some but have been unable to get
them. I heard of one and had it promised to me but he has forgotten it,
I guess, and I never got it. I know of another that is said to be very
good, but the man that has it won't let anybody have it unless he gets
five hundred dollars, and there is no man willing to pay that on his
say-so that it is a good thing. So we have got nothing to go on for such
committee to make a report on. A much better plan would be for this
association to offer a prize of a certain sum of money to any one who
will report a superior hazel. Let that get in the papers and be talked
of so the boys and girls will hear of it and they will contend for the
twenty-five or fifty dollars. There are no doubt such fine hazels but
the trouble is to find them. I think the best way would be to offer a
reward and let them be brought to us. In that way we can accomplish
something, but to appoint a committee when we have nothing to go on will
do no good.
THE PRESIDENT: There is a great deal in the suggestions of Mr. Riehl. It
has been noticed by all of us in nut culture that the individual opinion
of the man who has seen only his tree or bush is perhaps not worth much.
That is why the data we have on the walnut is unsatisfactory. So much of
it comes from the man who has seen only his tree, and does not know
what a first class bearing tree is like. The same difficulty would
arise, to some extent, in your suggestion, Mr. Riehl, as to offering the
prize. That is perhaps one of the best methods to stimulate interest but
there is this difficulty in the way, that the nuts must be gathered, and
the tree be investigated before it could be properly authenticated. I
have had people tell me they have seen pecans from certain trees, that
long (measuring on finger). There never was a pecan grew in the world
that long. The question before the house is the appointment of this
committee. Is there any further discussion? If not those in favor of it
make it known by rising. (Two.) Those opposed make it known by rising.
(Seven.) The motion is lost. Is there any further business? If not we
will stand adjourned _sine die_.
APPENDIX
THE HISTORY OF THE PERSIAN WALNUT IN PENNSYLVANIA
J. G. RUSH, WEST WILLOW, PENNSYLVANIA
The history of the Persian walnut in Pennsylvania goes back several
hundred years. Seed nuts only were brought here by the early German
settlers, as steam navigation was unknown at that period. From this
mixture of seed from Europe, we have at this time a few varieties worthy
of favorable mention. In this connection I will give you my brief
history or experiences and observation for the last twenty-nine years.
In 1886 I bought two seedling trees from a local nursery regardless of
name or variety at thirty-five cents each. These two trees received
equal treatment in culture for ten years, when the so-called Rush tree
produced two bushels of fine developed nuts. The other tree about forty
feet away has not produced two bushels from the time it was planted to
the present date.
The productiveness of the Rush induced me to think, and to investigate
the great difference in these two trees. I finally found the Rush to be
a simultaneous bloomer whereas the other was just the reverse.
Being a member of the State Horticultural Association I exhibited these
nuts from time to time when finally other members became interested in
nut culture. Mr. John Engle of the Marietta Nurseries advised me to
plant seed from this particular tree and raise seedling trees for sale.
I finally did on a small scale only. But I soon found in the young
seedlings a taint of black walnut blood, which discouraged me for a
further continuance. Later I had correspondence with J. F. Jones, then
of Monticello, Fla., who had specialized in the propagation of all nut
trees. In 1903 scions were sent to him, and returned as budded trees in
1905, and are now a living monument to the memory of the first
propagator of the Rush variety.
The Pennsylvania state nursery inspector first called my attention to
the Hall variety in Erie County, Pa., after which a lively
correspondence followed and sample nuts were exchanged. In 1910 Mr. J.
F. Jones and myself were to see this tree, in order to get its life
history. It was said by Mr. Hall that the tree was planted by the early
German settlers about forty years ago. The Hall variety is very catchy
to the eye on account of its large size. Through the kindness of Mr.
Hall we were allowed to cut a few buds, which are bearing trees now at
West Willow.
The Holden came first to my attention about four years ago in the New
York State Horticultural Association Report, after which a lively
correspondence opened and sample nuts with the Rush were exchanged which
finally led to the propagation of this prospective variety.
The Nebo is a variety the history of which I traced back to about
seventy-five years ago. It was planted by an English iron-master by the
name of McCreary. It is said that he gave lodging to a tree agent,
whereupon he received this tree as compensation.
The Burlington from Burlington, N. J., is of the Alpine type, and is of
great size.
The Lancaster was first called to my attention a year ago. It is said
the tree, not the seed, was brought from Germany. This variety is worthy
of extensive cultivation, is however also of the Alpine type and very
prolific.
In connection with the varieties just mentioned we have also the French
varieties, such as the Mayette, Franquette, Cutleaf, Alpine and
Parisienne. The French varieties are not tried out in respect to their
dependability for the Atlantic coast. They however show hardiness equal
to any other variety grown in Pennsylvania.
As regards the late vegetating habit of some Of these varieties enabling
them to escape late spring frosts, I see no advantage whatever, as Jack
Frost is a privileged character and makes his appearance regardless of
time or place.
With the limited efforts I have made thus far in the dissemination of
the Persian walnut, I am absolutely confident that the work has just
commenced. There will yet be varieties discovered which will compare
favorably and may surpass those we have already listed. The best
territory to work in I find is the German settlements. They always were
noted for their seed distributions in the early history of Pennsylvania.
In justice to these frugal people, the Persian walnut should be called
The Dutch nut. But the English were the great importers of these nuts
and hence the name English walnut. The Germans today as they visit their
Fatherland invariably bring a few nuts or trees with them, which keeps
up the supply. Of course not all these seedling trees are true to the
variety desired. But they say they come from the Homeland, which gives
them great contentment.
In the dissemination of these interesting nut-bearing trees I am safe in
saying I have visited hundreds of them and mostly single trees of very
little importance. The principal complaint is that when the nuts are as
large as grapes they drop off from some unknown cause. This is all for
the want of proper cross pollenization. The public in general is now
getting educated to the importance of planting grafted or budded
varieties of known merit, which is attested by the large plantings of
the last several years.
My limited experience with grafting large nut trees is that it is not
practicable, from the fact that the lower limbs outgrow the grafted ones
and eventually smother them and cause them to die out, leaving the tree
in a disfigured condition. The better way is to plant several trees of a
good pollenizing variety near one another to get best results in
bearing.
In this brief history of the nut industry of Pennsylvania and adjacent
states, I have said nothing in regard to propagation and culture,
knowing that some one else will take up that subject in detail.
Horace Greeley in his prime of life said: "Young man, go west."
The Northern Nut Growers Association says: "Young man, plant a nut
tree."
A COMPARISON OF NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN CONDITIONS IN THE PROPAGATION OF
NUT TREES
J. F. JONES, LANCASTER, PA.
I shall not try to cover the whole subject of propagation or describe
methods of budding and grafting, as these will be covered by others and
we are to have demonstrations of budding and grafting, which are far
ahead of any descriptions that can be given. I will try to compare
conditions in the North and South and give some of my experience with
the problems that have confronted us.
We have been able to get very satisfactory results with the pecan,
either by budding or grafting, under northern conditions. With good
scions and good stocks we have been able to get nearly, if not quite, as
good results in Pennsylvania as we were able to get in Florida or
Louisiana. The growth of the tree is also quite satisfactory. From
dormant buds on good stocks we are able to get a growth of four to six
feet the first year in the nursery and six to seven feet is not unusual.
The growth is also quite stocky and altogether very satisfactory. Any of
the methods of propagation as practiced on the pecan in the South are
successful in the North, but budding by the patch method has given us
the best results. Grafting is quite successful so far as the live or
stand is concerned, but, on account of our shorter growing season, the
growth is not nearly so satisfactory as that of the dormant bud which,
being set the previous summer, is ready to start quickly into growth in
the spring and gets the full benefit of our shorter growing season.
The shagbark hickory is essentially a northern tree and can only be
propagated satisfactorily in the North. In Florida and Louisiana we
could graft the shagbark on pecan stocks with fairly satisfactory
results, so far as the live or stand was concerned, but the tree did not
take kindly to the climate of the Gulf Coast and made little growth, a
number dying out altogether the second and third years after being
grafted. We have never gotten very satisfactory results from grafting
the shagbark with scions taken from old, bearing trees, but with good
scions from young thrifty trees, the shagbark may be grafted with fairly
satisfactory results in the northern states. From the nature of the
growth, it is not practical to bud the shagbark by the annular or patch
bud methods as practiced so satisfactorily on the pecan, but last
season (1913) in an experiment we got good results from ordinary shield
budding by taking scions from a tree that had matured and ripened its
growth up early and setting the buds on young, sappy growth of the
pignut hickory, _Hicoria Glabra_. The scions from which those buds were
taken were cut to test patch budding on the shagbark and when it was
found that the growth had hardened and the bark would not peel, the buds
were cut and inserted by ordinary shield budding, as practiced on the
apple, peach, etc. This experiment was made with little or no hope of
success, so that my surprise can well be imagined, when the wrapping was
removed and it was found that every bud had united with the stocks!
These buds have made better growth the present season than have the
grafts set the past spring, as might be expected. This may be a freak
and we may not be able to again duplicate the results, at least in more
extensive practice, but I am inclined to think that we will, under
similar conditions. The shagbark, without any manipulation, ripens and
hardens up its growth early in the season and it would appear that these
conditions could easily be duplicated, at least in average seasons.
Young stocks of either the pecan or pignut hickory hold their sap much
later than does the shagbark and are in good condition for budding after
the shagbark is dormant. We have practiced this method on the chestnut
for several years with very satisfactory results. The chestnut may be
budded almost as easily as the apple or pear, and with nearly as good
results, by ordinary shield budding, by taking scions for budding from
an old bearing tree which has matured and ripened its growth up early
and setting the buds on young, sappy seedling stocks growing under
cultivation in the nursery. The paragon chestnut, especially, ripens its
growth up very early when the tree is carrying a good crop of chestnuts,
and there is a month, in average seasons, when buds may be taken from it
and set on young stocks in the nursery. This condition might be brought
about on younger trees from which buds are to be taken by withholding
nitrogenous fertilizers and cultivation, or, if necessary, by root
pruning. Root pruning should not be too severe as a sudden check on the
growth in the growing season might interfere more or less with the
storing up of "starch" or "dormant plant food" in the scion. Any
condition or conditions that will serve to induce early maturing and
ripening of the wood growth on trees from which buds are to be taken
will be satisfactory, and by using nitrogenous fertilizers and liberal
cultivation on the stocks to be budded, they may be kept in good
condition of sap well into September in average seasons. Grafted at the
proper time we were able to get good results without any manipulation of
the seedling stocks. All that we ever did there was to remove the new
growth occasionally to hold the stocks in good condition for grafting
and prolong the grafting season, and it was always questionable whether
this was a necessary precaution. My idea in keeping the new growth off
the stocks till the grafts were set was not to control the sap flow, but
to prevent, if it were possible by this means, the exhaustion of the
stored up "starch" in the stock, by the new growth. In the northern
states, the sap in the walnut stocks, and perhaps to some extent in
other nut tree stocks, is inclined to come up in the spring with a rush.
Some seasons at least, even before the buds push into growth, when the
stocks are cut off for grafting a large number "bleed" or run sap very
freely and this may continue several days, flooding and injuring the
scion, and exhausting the vitality of the stock. This condition was
especially noticeable the past spring, due presumably, to the lateness
of the growing season. Making provision for the exit of the surplus sap
was usually sufficient in the lower south and, we believed, would be
farther north, but with the stronger flow of sap this is not sufficient
in the northern states, at least some seasons. An examination of grafts,
set on stocks which have bled freely after having been grafted, shows
that the stock callouses very slowly, if at all, and the scion, unless
it be of very heavy, solid wood, becomes dark colored and sour and the
wood soon dies in the cleft, although the scion above this point may
remain green for weeks. I am not able, at this time, to give any
specific remedy for the correction of this trouble for the reason that I
have not worked it out to my own satisfaction as yet, but now that we
understand the trouble better, I feel sure that we will be able to
correct it in the manipulation of the stocks before they are grafted.
Keeping the new growth off the stocks may be found to be sufficient in
most seasons, if the grafting is done rather late, but I am of the
opinion that a rather severe cutting back of the stocks a few days
before they are grafted, if the grafting is done early, will be found
the best practice. For later grafting, my opinion is that two or three
cuttings, say a week apart, will be better. Root pruning, where it can
be practiced to advantage, will be found more effective still. I have
never known newly transplanted stocks or those which had the tree digger
run under them, to bleed freely when grafted, and we have sometimes
gotten a good stand of grafts on such stocks, but such stocks may not
always have sufficient sap for the best results in grafting, if they
have been recently transplanted or root pruned. Fall planted As a
matter of experiment, I want to try budding both the pecan and walnut by
this method the present season, but I don't expect any results from
walnut buds set in this way. For the information of those who may wish
to try this method the present season, I will say that we cut the
shagbark buds a little heavier than we cut apple or pear buds. The wood
was left in the bud. The bark on the stock was split and the buds
inserted just as in any other shield budding. The buds were wrapped very
firmly, with waxed muslin, just as we wrap patch buds.
Our success with grafting the English or Persian walnut, under northern
conditions, has been variable and not very satisfactory. With good
scions and good stocks and other favorable conditions, we have sometimes
gotten over 90 per cent to grow, but the stand is more often much below
this and the present season we did not average over 25 per cent. The
fact that we get good stands of grafts when all conditions are right, is
not only encouraging but demonstrates that the English walnut can be
grafted under eastern or northern conditions with at least a fair degree
of certainty as to results, just as soon as we learn the causes of our
failures and are thus able to apply the remedy. Perhaps the greatest
drawback to the successful grafting of the English walnut is the
difficulty of obtaining good scions. The annual growth of the walnut is
much more pithy than that of the pecan or shagbark, and for this reason,
only a comparatively small portion of the growth is available for
grafting purposes if we are able to select scions that will give the
best results. Like the pecan and shagbark, the two-year wood makes the
best scions for grafting, provided that the wood has good buds on it,
but under our conditions those buds that lie dormant are usually shed
off during the summer and few good buds remain that will start quickly
into active growth. It is true that adventitious buds will often form
where these buds have shed off, and these will push into growth if the
stock is kept free from sprouts, but usually too late in the season to
make good trees, and keeping the seedling stock free from sprouts when
it should be in leafage is more or less weakening and injurious and the
grafts, starting into growth late in the season, do not mature and ripen
their growth up properly before frost and are quite likely to be injured
by early November freezes, unless they have some protection. To graft
the English walnut with unvarying and satisfactory results, under
northern conditions, we must not only have good scions and good stocks,
but we must control the sap flow in the stocks. In Florida and Louisiana
the sap came up more gradually in the stocks in the spring, and when or
root pruned stocks would probably give the best results, as the sap
would probably come up more gradually in the spring and, while the flow
would probably be sufficient for the best results, it would not flow
freely enough to injure the scion or stock.
We have not experienced any serious difficulty from an extreme flow of
sap in pecan stocks, either in the North or South, but we have had
grafts set on the pignut hickory fail from this cause. The English
walnut may be budded with fair to good results, by the patch method, by
selecting good buds on the best matured, round growth, but to propagate
the tree economically and satisfactorily it is desirable to both bud and
graft, otherwise both stocks and scion wood are wasted.
TOP-WORKING LARGE WALNUT TREES
W. C. REED, VINCENNES, INDIANA
In top-working large native walnut trees to the Persian or English
walnut, the first operation is to cut the trees back severely. This
should be done while the trees are dormant, preferably in February or
early in March. Cut them back two feet or more above where you wish to
graft, then cut again to where you want them. This will avoid splitting.
Usually we cut back to where the limbs are from two to four inches in
diameter. We have cut some back that were six to eight inches with good
results. However, limbs this size require careful attention to avoid
decay as it takes so long for them to heal over.
_Scions for Grafting_
Scions for grafting should be cut while perfectly dormant and packed in
damp moss or sawdust, being careful not to have it too wet. Paper line
the boxes and place in a cool place. Cold storage is much better. Scions
cut during the winter and placed in cold storage will come out in good
shape for grafting in May, or budding during July or August. Where there
is danger of the wood being injured by cold weather it would be well to
cut scions in November, before severe cold.
_Time for Grafting_
Wait until the new growth is well advanced or nearly in full leaf, which
is about May 1 to 10, in this latitude.
_Methods_
Use either the wedge graft or the bark graft. We have had equally good
results with each. If any difference it is in favor of the side or bark
graft which we prefer because it does not split or mutilate the stock,
there is not the chance for decay, and the wounds heal over much
quicker. On limbs three to four inches in diameter put in three to four
grafts.
Cut the stubs back one to two inches below where they were cut when
dormant so you may have a fresh clean cut. Pare the rough bark off until
you have a fairly smooth surface for three inches below where the limbs
are cut off.
_Side or Bark Grafting_
For side or bark grafting split the bark with a sharp knife for about
two inches where the graft is to be set. Cut your scions with about two
buds. Slope the scion all from one side with a long slope so it will fit
well to the wood or cambium layer; then trim off a little of the outer
bark on the outside lower edge of the scion, just enough to expose the
cambium so it will come in contact with the inner side of the bark on
the tree.
_Wedge Graft_
If the wedge graft is used, take a long bladed knife (a corn knife will
do) set it sloping on the cut off stock and make a clean cut through the
bark first so it will split straight, then raise the handle of the knife
and drive the blade into the wood, splitting it as deep as needed,
depending on the size of the scion and insert a wooden wedge made from
some hard wood. An old broom or hoe handle is good, tapering the wedge
from both sides, leaving it thick in the center so it will come out
easily after the graft is set by simply tapping lightly from first one
side and then the other. In cutting the scion slope from each side with
a long slope to fit the split in the stub. The outer edge of the scion
should be somewhat thicker than the inner edge so that when the wedge is
taken out it will be held firm. Be very careful to see that the cambium
of the scion and tree meet on each edge of the scion. Pack all large
cracks with tissue paper and wax thoroughly.
_Waxing, Tying, Bagging_
As soon as the grafts are set, cover the entire wound with grafting wax,
being careful to cover the top of the stub well and the sides as far
down as the bark is split, and the upper end of the scion. Then place a
paper sack over the stub to prevent evaporation and leave this on until
the scions start into growth. We do not use any tying material on large
limbs because the bark is thick enough to hold the graft in place.
However, on smaller trees it will be important to wrap the grafts well.
_Grafting Wax_
The best grafting wax we have found is composed of the following:
Four pounds resin, one pound beeswax, one-half pint linseed oil and one
tablespoon of lampblack. Melt all together and apply with a paint brush,
being careful not to have the wax too hot.
_After Care_
After new growth starts watch it closely every week or ten days and keep
all suckers removed until the scion starts into growth. Wherever grafts
fail to start the suckers may be left to grow for budding later.
_Budding Large Trees_
Cut back early the same as for grafting, cover all cuts with grafting
wax, let all sprouts grow until time to bud, which is usually August 1
to September 1. Thin out the small, weaker sprouts and bud three or four
of the largest ones, setting the bud four to six inches from where the
sprout comes out of the stub. Use the patch bud, wrap carefully with
waxed cloth, using muslin dipped in melted beeswax, the strips of cloth
three-sixteenths to one-fourth inch wide. The following spring, about
March 1, cut the sprouts back to about three inches above the bud,
remove all other sprouts when new growth starts and keep all suckers
removed.
_Supports_
At this time you will need to put up slat supports to tie the buds to.
Take slats one by two inches and twelve feet long. Nail these to the
sides of the limbs so they will extend six to eight feet above. Keep
buds and grafts tied up every week or ten days during the growing
season.
It has been our experience that budding is preferable. However, grafting
in the spring and then budding in August gives you two chances the same
season.
This same method applies to the pecan and hickory as well as the walnut
and if the work is carefully done you will surely be well paid for your
work.
INTEREST IN NUT GROWING IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN STATES
DR. L. D. BATCHELOR, UTAH AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION
The marked increase in the interest in nut growing throughout the
intermountain states is shown by the numerous inquiries on this subject
which are directed to this office. There have been very few plantings of
commercial orchards, but on every hand there is an interest shown in
using nut trees for shade trees. The hardy varieties of Persian walnut
are being planted more each year to ascertain the most promising sorts
for commercial planting. Larger plantings will no doubt follow when some
of these varieties have gained the confidence of the people, for one of
the chief drawbacks to nut planting in the past has been the common
belief that a semi-tropical climate is essential to the production of
such nuts as almonds, pecans and Persian walnuts.
The Utah Agricultural Experiment Station has distributed about one
hundred Persian walnut trees to coöperative planters over the state the
past season. Ninety-five per cent of the trees are making a thrifty
growth, while a similar planting made in 1912 gives good promise.
The following varieties are included in the experimental lot; Chaberte
(grafted on black walnut); Franquette (on black and English walnut);
Franquette (Vrooman Strain); Mayette (on English Walnut); Parisienne (on
the black walnut); Pomeroy (seedling); Pomeroy (on black walnut); Rush
(on black walnut).
A number of seedling trees have been discovered by the writer during the
past year, throughout the state. Some of these seedlings are producing a
fairly good type of commercial nut. What is more important, however, the
success of these seedling Persian walnuts points to the practicability
of planting the hardier varieties of this nut in the intermountain
states.
REPORT FROM G. H. CORSAN
Location--Toronto.
Season--Winter, 1913-1914; Spring, 1914; Summer, 1914.
Type of season--November and December very mild. The ground was not
frozen the least on January 1, 1914. January 12 the coldest day Toronto
ever experienced 22° F. below zero. On February 12 it was 18° F. below
zero. January, February and most of March _very_ steady cold. Very
little snow all winter, none on January 12.
Except those that I smothered by _too_ much care the following seedlings
lived through the winter and are alive today: Pecans; pinus edulis;
pinus Koriensis; chestnuts; filberts; all the juglans including
Californica and Canadian seed of regia; pawpaws; persimmons. My
"mountain rose" peaches had not a twig winter killed though my
Fitzgeralds, a very hardy peach, had some; this peach may not be as
hardy as it is blown up to be. The season has been very dry and this
summer many of the Paragon chestnuts died that were not watered. My
Pomeroy walnuts are having a struggle to keep good form but I think that
I will have a few hardy ones selected from them, as these last two
winters have been the most trying on young trees we have ever had, of
which fact I am glad. Here at Battle Creek are a dozen of Mr. W. C.
Reed's grafted pecans; all are alive and growing strong as are mine in
Toronto. I wrote you of the horrible abuse that mine had while in
transit and they had a right to die but lived. Pecans grow very late
into the fall and do not shed their leaves early so that I feel sure
that the wood will harden sufficiently to stand the winter. The next
question is, will the nut mature where grapes and peaches grow and just
escape the October frosts. I saw many splendid pecans at Burlington,
Iowa. Native pecans for seed stock can be procured from there in
abundance. The nuts there are long and narrow, but not thick-shelled,
and sell retail in the stores for not less than twenty cents a pound.
The climate at Burlington has been 35° F. below zero some winters.
I am certain from my observations all over northeastern North America
that the pecan has far more possibilities than the English walnut or any
other nut unless we can develop a blight proof chestnut.
The north Chinese walnut has been doing wonderfully well in Toronto and
those two trees fifteen and seventeen feet high have not a twig killed.
They do not bear as early as the Japanese. Their leaves are much longer
than the English walnut but the nut is fully as good as the best
California, Persian walnut that ever reached the market. Many of the
nuts are paper shelled, some burst open at the suture. Their appearance
is almost the same as the English but the tree is much hardier, growing
at the extreme north of China. Then this is the tree that the nurserymen
of Ontario have been selling as "English" walnuts and guaranteeing to be
hardy. But as soon as we saw the leaf and the trunk we at once knew them
for north Chinese walnuts and upon being told that, the men acknowledged
that they were. Just today I have been speaking to a missionary from the
extreme north of China and he informs me that they have two feet of ice
every winter where these trees grow in abundance with the finest nuts he
ever saw. This fact and the fact that really good pecans can grow up
north are the two facts that I wish this association to work on in order
to get results that are certain of success.
DISTRIBUTION OF PERSIAN ("ENGLISH") WALNUT SEEDLINGS IN MICHIGAN
Attention should be called to the work of Mr. Myron A. Cobb of the
Department of Agriculture of the Central State Normal School, Mount
Pleasant, Michigan, of which he sends the following outline. Mr. Cobb
has consented to send out with the trees a leaflet, to be supplied by
this Association, explaining the fundamental principles of nut growing.
It is interesting to note the cost of these seedling trees, one and
one-half cents each, including postage.
The success of Mr. Cobb's work shows the readiness of the public for it.
Our Association should encourage similar work in other states.
* * * * *
"About five years ago, I began the distribution of walnut seedlings by
planting a few seeds in our orchard, and distributed them to the schools
of Isabella County. I distributed about five hundred each year, making a
total of two thousand five hundred seedlings. This year, the idea has
been more widely advertised, and the demand for seedlings has been
enormous. I have distributed this year five thousand seedlings and have
received orders for about two thousand more which I could not fill
because of lack of trees.
"This work was taken up primarily with the idea of distributing walnut
seedlings on the farms and incidentally to teach how trees are raised
and to correlate the work of the school to the home.
"The trees have been distributed largely by parcel post, in amounts from
three to three hundred. The trees have been sold for one and one-half
cents each. This covers the original cost of the trees and the postage
on the same. Some of the trees have been grown upon our own grounds, but
the most of them have been obtained from the D. Hill Nursery Company, of
Dundee, Illinois. The distribution has been largely through the schools,
but many organizations have interested themselves in the movement, as
farmers' clubs, women's clubs, civic improvement leagues, etc. The
Women's Club of Pontiac distributed two hundred and seventy-five. We
prefer to distribute them through the schools.
"These trees have been distributed to nearly every portion of Michigan,
Mr. Weidman, a prominent lumberman, sending one hundred to the Upper
Peninsula. Several hundred have been sent to the burned over areas of
Northeastern Michigan, some have been planted in the cities and along
the roadside, but the most of them have been distributed to the farms.
The demand this year exceeded our anticipation. Many farmers and
organizations have been greatly interested in securing and distributing
the seedlings, and some of the requests for seedlings have been very
interesting, in that they show such a great desire on the part of the
farmers to secure the trees, and it has been with extreme regret that we
were obliged to return their money, because of lack of seedlings.
"This movement seems to be especially interesting in many ways and plans
are being made to supply the demand the following season and to extend
the work along other practical lines and apparent indications are that
our slogan, 'A walnut tree for every farm,' will be a reality."
EXAMPLES OF SOME RECENT CORRESPONDENCE
FARMINGDALE, ILL., August 5, 1914.
I am interested in fruit and nuts of all kinds, but plant only for home
use and experimentally.
I believe the chestnut is a better money nut here than the pecan, as
natives here bear very sparsely and irregularly although the catkins or
male part usually come out in great profusion.
I note that you say "there is probably not much use in trying to grow
the pecan or Persian walnut outside the peach area." Here our pecan
seems as hardy as the average apple, withstanding 25° below zero or more
with little or no injury. I find that the "Andrus" Persian walnut is
_much_ hardier than the "Pomeroy" as I planted two small one-year trees
that endured the following winter 20° below, with no injury to even
terminal buds. So twenty years may show a change of opinion as to the
value of the Persian walnut in the Middle West.
The Japanese walnuts here are often injured by winter at 15° below, but
there may be hardier types and varieties than those I have tried.
I have never been able to _graft_ the pecan successfully--annual or
budding has given me the only success I have had. And in years like this
and last, I find it very difficult to make a transplanted grafted pecan
live without watering.
I have failed, so far, in finding a practical method to keep chestnuts
in good eating and planting condition until spring. If stored in the
ground cellar or as peach pits, they mould, if kept in an ordinary
building they become too dry.
BENJAMIN BUCKMAN.
SOUTH WATERFORD, ME., November 21, 1914.
DEAR SIR:
I have just read in the last issue of the _Rural New-Yorker_ a very
interesting article on nut growing, giving your name.
For several years I have thought that it would be better for people in
the New England States to give more attention to nuts than so much to
apples, but I have not been in a position to start in with nut trees
much until now.
Although 65 years old and somewhat used up with rheumatism I am not
ready to give up yet....
When I started on this farm it did not produce a barrel of grafted
fruit. There were quite a lot of natural fruit trees that never had been
trimmed or cared for in any way. I grafted these trees and set out some
from time to time until now the farm produces from 500 to 800 barrels
per year.
This year apples at picking time sold slow for $1.00 per barrel for No.
1's, No. 2's not wanted at any price.
I often think that if I had set out a few acres of nut trees 25 years
ago they would have been more profit now than the whole 200-acre farm
is....
Last spring on account of my lameness and the scarcity and the high
price of farm help I sold my large farm and bought a small place....
Last spring I had about two acres of this land plowed up and during the
summer thoroughly worked over with the idea of next spring setting it
out to nut trees of some varieties that would do best here. Now I do not
know anything about nut growing or what varieties best to plant. If you
can help me out by putting me in a way to get this information you will
confer a great favor.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
BUREAU OF STATISTICS,
(Agricultural Forecasts)
Office of the County Correspondent.
ISLE LA MOTTE, GRAND ISLE, VERMONT, December 10, 1914.
MY DEAR SIR:
I wish to set out several nut trees next spring here on this island in
Lake Champlain. We have lots of hickory nuts, butternuts, hazelnuts and
beechnuts growing wild here and Champlain says in his narrative that
there were lots of fine chestnuts growing here 300 years ago. Now I want
to try some chestnuts, black walnuts, English walnuts, pecans, and
almonds. If you can tell me the hardiest varieties of each and where to
get trees I shall be greatly obliged. I have my doubts about pecans and
almonds but am willing to try them here. I am growing peaches here where
they never grew before.
RICHMOND, VA., December 13, 1914.
DEAR SIR:
I am just commencing an enterprise in propagation of nut trees here just
north of Richmond. I shall have plenty of time to do some experimental
work in planting of unknown varieties and would like to do some such
planting. I want any information I can get on varieties of English and
black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickories and persimmons, "sloes" and any
other varieties of currants. If I am not trespassing too much on your
time please put me in touch with parties who can give me information.
Please advise me if your association has any publications on the
subject.
I am a retired civil engineer and my hobby has been all my life the
study of forest trees. I am now in a position to do some planting and I
should be very glad to coöperate with your association. I am here
located exactly on the line of demarcation between northern and southern
forest growths and I think I have exactly the location for experimental
work....
NEW MILFORD, CONN., December 8, 1914.
MY DEAR DR. DEMING:
This morning I am sending, by parcel post, a sample of hickory nuts to
compete for the prize which I saw has been offered by the association,
of which you are secretary.
My father, while he was living, sent an exhibition of nuts to the
Pan-American, also to the St. Louis Fair, and received the highest award
given for nuts at both Expositions.
NEW LONDON, CONN., December 3, 1914.
DEAR SIR:
We are all elderly people, lacking energy to cultivate our farm land as
closely as we ought. Some of us are interested in nut culture and have
suggested that we plant some nuts and watch their growth from the very
beginning. Of course, we only wish nuts of the best varieties and
easiest culture. We only wish _hardy_ nuts, that do not need grafting,
and we prefer those that come into bearing early. We do not wish any of
the Mammoth dwarf, Japan chestnut. We bought a nice one, but it _will_
not mature its fruit, and is gradually dying. We find great difficulty
in purchasing nuts. Those who have _trees_ for sale, refuse to sell the
NUTS.
A person who has a few Japan walnut trees in connection with some other
business, very kindly offered to sell us some nuts, and these are all we
have been able to purchase so far. There are but very few nuts that we
would attempt to try. We wish to find some of the very best of filberts
or hazelnuts, that we shall probably cultivate in bush form. We are
interested in the _hardy_, hard shell almonds. Do you think we could do
anything with them? I _think_ they do not have to be grafted. Do you
know of any species of English walnut or Madeira nut, that are perfectly
hardy, and come into bearing early, that would serve our purpose?
I know we are asking quite a favor, for strangers, but if you will
kindly assist us a little, we will thank you very much.
BROADWAY METHODIST CHURCH,
FARGO, N. D., November 10, 1914.
DEAR SIR:
I saw your statement in the _Southern Planter_ this morning and am
writing, not to tell you where choice nut-specimens are to be obtained
but to ask a few questions relative to the obtaining the _best_
information possible to the growing of nuts. I have a ten-acre tract
about twelve miles straight south of Staunton, Va. When I purchased the
tract the chestnut and hickory were thriving. I have had about one half
of the property cleared and some trees planted. Among the trees are
twelve hardy English walnuts from Green's Nursery, Rochester, N. Y., 6
"Mayo" and 6 "Pomeroy" walnuts from Glen Brothers, Rochester, N. Y. I am
interested in nut-culture. I have inquired of Glen Brothers if the
Kentish Cob would thrive there. They assure me it will. If there is a
chance to make a success of nuts, I would turn my time and thought to
the raising of walnuts and Kentish cobs and filberts. What would you
advise? If you cannot give me the desired information, kindly give me
directions to the one who can. I was brought up among the walnuts and
filberts and cob-nuts in the County of Kent, England, and now my
thoughts are turning to the delights of earlier days and I intend coming
to the Shenandoah Valley in the near future and making my home there....
THE SECRETARY'S REPLY
GEORGETOWN, CONN., November 13, 1914.
MY DEAR MR. ----:
It gives me great pleasure to reply as well as I am able to your letter
of November 10th. You are in the position of many thoughtful men of the
present day in craving the peace and delight of a life that is nearer to
nature. You have also a small tract of land in a favored part of our
country, and you have been led to believe, by the statements that you
have run across in chance sources, that the returns from nut growing may
enable you to attain your ambition.
Our president has a place at Roundhill, Va., not very many miles from
yours. He is a professor of something like "Efficiency" in the
University of Pennsylvania. He is young, aggressive and very efficient
himself. His father was, and he himself is, an orchardist and fruit
grower. Both he and I have been for some years working at the problems
of nut growing. But it is only this year that we seem to have overcome
the difficulties of grafting and budding nut trees. We have the greatest
faith in the future success of nut growing, but we do not know how long
it will be before we shall know just what varieties of nuts to plant
ourselves, least of all to advise others to plant, with any certainty of
success. For the man, however, who realizes that nut growing in the
North is still in the experimental stage, we have no end of information
and advice.
The information you have had from interested sources is misleading.
Probably you would not live long enough to get satisfactory results from
the seedling trees you might plant, even if such results ever came. To
get reasonably prompt and certain results from nut trees it is necessary
to grow such trees grafted or budded from trees of known good bearing
record, just as the same thing is necessary with the common fruit trees.
Your information about the Kentish cob and the filbert is but half the
truth. The shrubs will thrive for a time in almost any place. But they
have nowhere in the East been a success because sooner or later they are
destroyed by a disease. One of our great nut growing wants is a filbert
or hazel of good size and quality that has the blight resistant quality
of our native hazel.
My advice to you then would be as follows. If it is your idea to make a
living by nut growing on your ten acres in Virginia within a reasonable
number of years, I do not advise you to attempt it. If you wish to take
up nut growing as offering an occupation of the greatest interest, with
opportunity for the solution of problems of great importance to mankind,
and a fair promise of eventual money profit to yourself or to your
heirs, then I should certainly advise you to take up nut growing.
I would not attempt to grow the hazel or the chestnut at present, except
in an experimental way. The nuts of best promise for you are the Indiana
or northern pecans and the English walnut. But it requires considerable
study of the subject before one may take up the practice of nut growing
without the probability of making unnecessary mistakes, and
unnecessarily losing time and money in repeating the experiences of
others.
The wilful misstatements of some nurserymen, and the ignorance or
carelessness of others, has hindered the progress of nut growing.
Fortunately we have several nurserymen who have made a study of the
subject, who are honorable and truthful men, and on whose statements you
may rely. The only possible qualification of this statement that I know
of is that an allowance for enthusiasm might be borne in mind without
risk of harm. I enclose a list of such nurserymen, accredited by this
association.
Your letter seems to call for this extended reply which I hope will be
of service to you. If I have left anything obscure that you would like
to know about, or if I can assist you in any other way, please let me
know.
With the hope that you may be able to take up this most fascinating
avocation with pleasure and profit, I am
Very truly yours,
W. C. DEMING.
PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE PERSIAN WALNUT
The secretary herewith presents a preliminary report on the
investigation of the Persian walnut. No attempt has been made to collect
information about the walnut on the Pacific Coast, which is quite
another matter. But the investigation reports very briefly on trees from
Canada to Georgia and from Massachusetts to Utah.
The result of the investigation so far is hardly more than a bare
catalogue of the trees which the secretary has been able to locate, and
is intended simply as an aid to further investigation. It is now
published with the hope that members and others may become informed of
Persian walnut trees that it may be possible for them to locate, observe
and report upon. It is manifestly impossible for any one person, unless
some paid agent of the government or other institution, to investigate
many of these trees personally, they are scattered over such a wide
area. Correspondence is usually unsatisfactory and personal
investigation is the only way to get good results.
Probably only a small part of all the existing trees is here catalogued.
But among them, and among the others that will come to light in the
constantly widening investigation by an increasing number of interested
persons, will certainly be found varieties of merit and adaption to
different sections of the country.
As the meeting next year at Rochester is to give especial attention to
the Persian walnut it is to be hoped that members and others will make
special efforts to send to the meeting specimen nuts and reports of
trees.
THE PERSIAN WALNUT
CANADA
Brantford--Dr. D. S. Sager. Knows at least 50 trees. Is top working
native walnuts and other work.
Grimbsy--H. K. Griffith. Bearing tree or trees.
Grimbsy--Louisa Neller. Bearing tree or trees.
Grimbsy East--Beverley Book. Bearing tree or trees.
St. Catherins--Miss Alice Berger, 251 Queenston St. Several bearing trees.
One tree 100-200 pounds annually.
St. Catherins--Harper Secord, R. 2. Twenty-eight young seedlings.
St. Catherins--James Titherington. Bearing tree or trees.
St. Catherins--J. J. Fee, Niagara St. Bearing tree or trees.
St. Catherins--F. D. Solvyne, Carleton St. Bearing tree or trees.
Toronto--G. H. Corsan, University of Toronto. Many young walnut and other
nut trees. "Hundreds of thousands being planted in Niagara Peninsula."
NEW YORK
Chappaqua--F. M. Clendenin. Just bearing few nuts after 8 years.
Lockport--A. C. Pomeroy. Bearing orchard, seedlings.
North Avon--Adelbert Thompson. Bearing orchard, seedlings, 225 trees.
Hilton--E. B. Holden. Bearing trees.
Rochester--B. F. Whitmore, 520 Park Ave. Three bearing trees.
Holley--W. E. Howard. Four bearing trees. Knows of others. "Hundreds of
trees."
Canandaigua--Bradley Wynkoop. Bearing tree.
Brockport--Marcus Cook, 90 Holley St. "Nearly 100 bearing trees within 5
miles of Brockport."
Fairport--Pickering Bros., Some Pomeroys.
Fairport--N. A. Baker.
Victor--E. Y. Shilling. Bearing tree.
Victor--A. B. Wood. Bearing tree.
Victor--Josiah Snyder. Bearing tree.
Watkins--Write E. C. Gabriel, Rock Stream. Tree reported by Prof. Corbett
at N. Hector, 2 or 3 more east side of lake.
Earlville--Francisco I. L. Mulligan. Twenty-nine Pomeroys and others.
Hoosick Halls--A. A. Baker, R. 2. Knows of bearing tree near Long Island.
Port Jefferson--Joseph Schriever. "Fine Specimen."
Huntington--Historical Society. "Fine Specimen."
Between Huntington and Centerport, on Gallows Hill, old Geo S. Conklin
place, occupied by "Peachy," as reported by Uncle Jerry Wockers of
the Ithaca _Journal_ office. Bearing tree.
Oyster Bay--Joseph H. Sears. Bearing tree, reported by Henry Hicks.
Oyster Bay--Mrs. W. H. Burgess. Bearing tree, reported by Henry Hicks.
Glen Cove--John T. Pratt. Bearing tree, reported by Henry Hicks.
Glen Cove--W. L. Harkness (Dosoris). Bearing tree, reported by Henry
Hicks.
Woodbury--L. Piquet. Bearing tree, reported by Henry Hicks.
Roslyn--Admiral Aaron Ward. Bearing tree, reported by Henry Hicks.
Hempstead--Rev. Chas Snedaker, St. George's Rectory. Bearing tree,
reported by Henry Hicks.
New York City, Westchester--Dr. Deming. Three Morris trees.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington--Barnes, Weaver, Kaingler, Stabler and other trees.
DELAWARE
Wilmington--Dr. Rumford.
Smyrna--Walter L. Marks.
Magnolia--J. B. Tisdale. One or more bearing trees. Reported by E. B and
J. M. Reed, Fredonia.
Millsboro--G. L. Ellis. Twenty miles away some trees.
NORTH CAROLINA
Carthage--I. W. Williamson. Few young trees.
Carthage--John A. McLeod, R. 3.
Pomona--J. Van Lindley. Several trees near Southern Pines.
OHIO
Cincinnati--I. B. Johnston. "About 50 trees near Cincinnati."
Gypsum--H. G. Miller, of Wm. Miner and Son, Elmwood Fruit Farm. Two
trees, 20 years old. Also young Pomeroy trees. "Several very large
bearing trees within a few miles of here."
Dayton--Fred Kircher, 221 S. McDonough St.
Amherst--O. F. Witte, R. 2. Bearing tree.
Middletown--Levi Leonard. One hundred seedlings. Knows of old trees in
Lancaster Co., Pa.
NEW JERSEY
Lumberton--C. S. Ridgeway. "Peerless Paper Shell," 25 years, 50-100
pounds.
Paterson--Thos. Rodgers, 236 W. 25th St., W. End. Bearing tree.
Salem--Weber; write D. Harris Smith, Att'y. Rep. J. L. Doan.
Haddonfield--J. Hutchinson.
Raritan--Philip Lindsley, Box 350. Bearing tree.
Flemington--Rev. Dr. Sonne. Bearing tree.
Marlton--C. D. Barton. Knows good bearing trees.
Moorestown--Charles Haines. Bearing tree.
Delanco--Frank Jones. Bearing tree.
VIRGINIA
Williamsburg--D. S. Harris, Box 416, 33 Febrey. "Grafted."
Williamsburg--J. A. Bechtel, R. 2.
Mint Springs--Williams place. Two trees; rep. _Am. Nut. Jour._ 8, 14,
p. 39.
Lynchburg--Crockett.
Roslyn--R. S. Carter, Box 41. Three trees.
Emporia--H. W. Weiss. "Fifty trees on different farms; English, Japanese
and black."
MARYLAND
Sandy Spring--Ava M. Stabler.
Colton's Point--James K. Jones. See Circular of J. F. Jones. "Eight or ten
bearing trees."
Forest Hill--Wilmer P. Hoopes.
Churchville--Alexis Smith. "Alexis."
Sharon--Mrs. S. J. Poleet. "Sheffield."
Berkeley--J. T. Smith. "Smith."
Janettsville--David Hildt. "Beder."
Vale--Kate Hooker. "Hooker."
Baltimore--Franklin-Davis Nurseries.
Princess-Anne--Ida M. Lankford. Bearing trees.
Cooperstown--L. J. Onion, P. O. Sharon. "Sir Clair."
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston--Mrs. Schultz, 335 Cornell St., Roslindale, Boston. Bearing tree.
Newburyport--Reported by C. F. Knight, Rowley. Bearing tree.
Winchester--Brackett (Bro. of G. B. Brackett). Bearing trees.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Keene--Reported by A. C. Pomeroy. Pomeroy trees.
Newmarket--Alfred C. Durgin. Six Pomeroy, 2 Rush, "Supposed to be
grafted."
Enfield--Forest Colby. Some trees.
MICHIGAN
Mt. Pleasant--Myron A. Cobb, Central State Normal School. Has been
distributing thousands of walnut seedlings.
Coloma--W. C. Reed, Vincennes, Ind.
Almont--F. P. Andrus. Bearing tree and seedlings.
Augusta--Orville I. Miller. Buds from Andrus.
ALABAMA
Huntsville--Mr. Mayhew, Westchester, New York City. Reports tree.
TENNESSEE
Greenville--Wm. H. Brown, 516 Main St. Reports 3 trees, El. 1500.
GEORGIA
Sharpe--Paul Dyer. Reported by Prof. McHatton.
IDAHO
Boise--S. A. Gehman. Local bearing trees. C. C. Vincent, Ag. Exp. Sta.
Moscow.
UTAH
Lehi--Mrs. J. T. Winn. Several trees.
Salt Lake City--J. T. Harwood (brother of above). Many bearing trees. Leon
D. Batchelor, Horticulturist, Ag. Exp. Sta. Logan.
CORRESPONDENTS AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN NUT CULTURE
CALIFORNIA
D. P. T. MacDonald, Horticultural Inspector, 418 20th Street, Oakland
CANADA
Albert H. Lawrence, Edmonton, Alberta, Box 142
COLORADO
Dr. J. W. Benners, Silver Plume
Albert E. Mauff, Secretary State Board of Horticulture, Denver
CONNECTICUT
P. G. Wallmo, Stony Creek, Box 314
Royal J. Barter, Farmington
Lester S. White, Collinsville
Noah Wallace, Farmington
C. K. Decherd, Meriden, Box 464
F. Perry Hubbard, care of The Rogers & Hubbard Co., Middletown
Clarence T. Hatch, New Milford
Chester Hart, Barkhamstead
Paul Steinmann, Waterbury, R. 3
Charles E. Chester, New London, Box 593
DELAWARE
M. L. Anderson, Lincoln City
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
William A. Taylor, Department of Agriculture
FLORIDA
C. E. Browne, Glen Saint Mary
IDAHO
Thomas Judd, St. George Crystal Springs Orchard Co., Twin Falls
John Gourley, Filer
Mr. Squires, Buhl, Rio Vista Fruit Ranch
ILLINOIS
Jacob Wyne, Lintner
Miss Maude Davidson, Lewiston
L. H. Calloway, Chapin
Benj. Buckman, Farmingdale
William E. Walsh, Sparta, R. 4.
Geo. R. Hemingway, 121 Marion Street, Oak Park
Mrs. R. Matthews, McClure
Mrs. Ida L. Rice, Disco
Chas. E. Graves, University of Illinois Library, Urbana
Mrs. Truman Sweet, Durand
Geo. Findlay, 102 So. Market Street, Chicago
J. C. Gibbs, Elmwood
Dr A. W. Foreman, White Hall
Editor Journal American Medical Association, 535 Dearborn Street, Chicago
INDIANA
John F. Woods, Utility Farm, Owensville, R. 19
W. E. McElderry, Princeton Nursery, Princeton
H. J. Berendes, 509 E. Pennsylvania Street, Evansville
Vickery Bros., Evansville
Jarodsky & Co., Mt. Vernon
Henry Titus, Grand View
J. W. Jeffries, Carbon
Indiana Pecan Co., 234 3d Street, Mt. Vernon
H. B. Hill, Knightstown, Henry Co.
R. R. Katterjohn, Boonville
E. Hicks Trueblood, Salem, R. 9, Box 62
H. B. Halloway, 1132 No. Illinois Street, Indianapolis
D. W. McFarland, No. Manchester
Thomas L. Kerth, 408 Second Avenue, Evansville
Leo H. Fisher, Huntingburg
Harry Gieseke, Patoka
C. A. Weilbrenner, Mt. Vernon
J. W. Gleichman, Evansville
H. M. Thurber, Rockport
Dr. F. L. Davis, 209 Dover Street, Evansville
John F. Woods, Owensville
L. P. Dorr, Howell, R. 9
Clarence Cook, Indianapolis
Robert J. Tracewell, Evansville
W. A. Graham, Enterprise
J. C. Haines, Lake
W. A. Taylor, Oaktown
Chas. F. Hartzmetz, Evansville
J. W. Strassell, Rockport
IOWA
Wendell P. Williams, Danville
KANSAS
H. S. Baker, Secretary Winfield Nursery Co., Winfield
G. H. Dodge, 1000 Kearney Street, Manhattan
J. H. Brown, Gridley
KENTUCKY
J. W. Blunk, Maceo
James Speed, Editor _Farm and Family_, Louisville
H. C. Hargis, Hebbardsville
C. F. Kleiderer, Henderson
Professor Carmody, Agricultural Experiment Station, Lexington
MAINE
G. I. Hamlin, So. Waterford
E. F. Hitchings, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture,
Orono
MARYLAND
Mrs. W. C. Taylor, 700 N. Broadway, Baltimore
I. S. Winfree, Salisbury
Frank J. Hoen, 213 Courtland Street, Baltimore
Wm. E. Little, Westminster
Mrs. W. C. Taylor, 700 No. Broadway, Baltimore
MASSACHUSETTS
Capt. William H. Dole, N. Dartmouth, R. 4
Prof. W. D. Clark, Department of Forestry, Agricultural College, Amherst
Leavitt Perham, Ludlow Center
Orrin C. Cook, Milford
Chas. Ripley, 173 Harvard Street, Dorchester
Harris E. Chace, Clifford
Wilfred Wheeler, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, 136 State House,
Boston
Chas. R. Green, Librarian Agricultural College, Amherst
John H. Chard, 263 Salem Street, Bradford
Prof. W. D. Clark, Department of Forestry, Agricultural College, Amherst
MICHIGAN
J. Arthur Whitworth, Michigan Desk Co., Grand Rapids
Dr. H. M. Dunlap, Battle Creek
William L. Davies, 1780 St. Aubin Avenue, Detroit
L. O. Cook, Litchfield
Miss Marie Palmer, Plymouth, R. 2
Daniel A. Edwards, Newaygo
B. W. Madill, Linden
J. J. Robinson, Lamont
Geo. W. Bolton, Sparta, R. 20
MISSISSIPPI
G. H. Sadler, Columbia, R. F. D., care of Yale Cany.
C. J. Hayden, Assistant Professor Horticulture, Agricultural College
MISSOURI
William A. F. Hain, 22 Tiffin Avenue, Ferguson
Frank Wild Floral Co., Sarcoxie
F. A. Chambers, Sherrill
E. A. Ester, 1102 Rogers Avenue, Springfield
MONTANA
J. L. Pfeiffer, Joliet
NEW HAMPSHIRE
C. W. Hoitt, 24 Odd Fellows Building, Nashua
NEW JERSEY
Thomas Rodgers, 236 W. 25th Street, Paterson
J. N. Jarvie, Beemerville
Dr. W. H. Pounds, Paulsboro
H. G. Taylor, Secretary State Horticultural Society, Riverton
Nobel P. Randel, The High School, Montclair
C. C. Doorly, Sussex, R. 2
Joseph S. Smith, Burlington, R. 3
Lemuel Black, Hightstown
Herman Tice, Westwood
Philip Lindsley, Raritan, Box 350
Rev. Dr. Sonne, Flemington
C. D. Barton, Marlton
Chas. Haines, Moorestown
Frank Jones, Delanco
John Hutchinson, Haddonfield
NEW YORK
Dr. William B. Jones, 525 Lake Avenue, Rochester
F. H. Pough, Union Sulphur Co., 17 Battery Place, New York City
W. V. S. Thorne, V. P. Union Pacific System, 165 Broadway, New York City
B. F. Butler, The Warrington, New York City
Fred Mackintosh, 3 Gillespie Street, Schenectady
J. Wallace Bush, Central Valley
Frank O. Ayres, 1 Madison Avenue, New York City
Peter H. Beller, Gallupville
Jordan Philip, Cashier First National Bank, Hudson
W. Robert Bruce, Brick Church Institute, Rochester
O. N. Fisher, 3390 Park Avenue, New York City
Hayward Greenland, care of Wilbur Van Dayer, White Memorial Building,
Syracuse
A. Davis, 1240 Putnam Avenue, Brooklyn
R. W. Tompkins, Brewster, R. 2
Ralph Hammersley, 88 Helderberg Avenue, Schenectady
S. Klaussner, Ferndale, Sullivan County
C. C. Sanders, 206 Broadway, New York City
M. R. Ford, Dundee
F. Gilmore, Piffard
Mrs. S. T. Smith, Bath
Isaac Conover, Randall
E. H. Kelly, State Road, Plattsburgh, R. 2
Morris M. Whitaker, Nyack
Fred Blizzard, Westtown
Wm. T. Laing, 716 Flatiron Building, New York City
Frank Hyde, Peekskill, Box 177
Mrs. J. Robert Tice, Marlborough, R. F. D.
Miss Lathrop, care of Alex D. Lathrop, Stockport
E. L. Overholser, State College of Agriculture, Ithaca
Trueman's Farm, Lake Katrine
C. H. Hechler, Harbor Hill, Roslyn
Everett C. Foster, Sagaponack, L. I.
NEW MEXICO
F. V. Pattison, Clovis
NORTH CAROLINA
Buffalo Nursery Co., McCullers
C. W. M. Hess, Manager Audubon Nursery, Wilmington
C. H. Gochnauer, New Bern, R. 2
Jesse M. Howard, 413 No. Kerr Street, Concord
OHIO
S. Prentiss Baldwin, Leslie Block, Water and Decatur Streets, Sandusky
Miss Minnie Lehrer, 812 Osborne Street, Sandusky
Chas. A. Clark, Ravenna, R. 2
E. L. Moseley, 125 Vine Street, Sandusky
Geo. T. Bishop, 1000 Scofield Building, Cleveland
J. W. Peters, Peters Buggy Co., Reynoldsburg
Mrs. C. C. Arms, St. Clair Road, Euclid
D. S. Burch, Assistant Editor _Farm and Fireside_, Springfield
William N. Neff, Martel, Box 31
H. M. Farnsworth, Brooklyn Bank Building, Cleveland
C. M. Knight, 129 South Union Street, Akron
H. A. Lockwood, The Lockwood-Owen Farm Co., Port Clinton
N. G. Buxton, Johnstown
Mrs G. W. Henderson, Cadiz, R. 6
J. W. Flaherty, Scio, R. 3
A. M. Preston, Vanatta, R. D. Box 122
G. L. Hyslop, Deshler
T. A. Dilley, Duncan Falls
Henry Bannon, Portsmouth
F. H. Wickey, Greenwich, R. 1
R. P. Fowler, Jr., Coshocton, R. 4
Leroy V. Ewing, Cambridge, R. 5
Prof. W. J. Green, Horticulturist, Agricultural Experiment Station,
Wooster
Wm. Schiller, Poland, R. F. D.
E. Gill, Mechanicsburg
W. J. Miller, 134 Garvin Avenue, Elyria
W. P. Deppen, Tiffin, R. 1, Box 20
OREGON
W. A. Orr, Milton
PENNSYLVANIA
Dr. Leedon-Sharp, 4041 Catherine Street, Philadelphia
Paul Mease, Pleasant Valley
J. A. Calderhead, Wilmerding
R. P. Wright, Reed Mfg. Co., Erie
John L. Hanna, Manager River Ridge Farm, Franklin
Elam G. Hess, Mannheim, Box 232
Chester Rick, Girard College, Philadelphia
Sam. P. Moyer, Meyerstown
John Dierwechter, Richland
Joseph T. Huss, Wellsville
W. F. Beers, Three Springs
Editor Medical Council, Philadelphia
S. B. Detwiler, Chestnut Blight Commission Laboratory, University of
Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia
A. Y. Satterthwaite, Swarthmore
Donald Hutcheson, Warriors Mark
SOUTH CAROLINA
T. B. Ellis, Jr., Lyndhurst
TEXAS
O. A. Triplett, 215 No. Elm Street, Fort Worth
UTAH
L. M. Gillilan, High School, Salt Lake City
J. T. Harwood, High School, Salt Lake City
Mr. Calahan, Calahan's Book Store, Salt Lake City
Miss Maud Harwood, Lehi
Joseph Broadbent, Utah Lake Irrigation Co., Lehi
Jesse Knight, Provo
Carl Isacson, Brigham City
W. O. Knudson, Brigham City
William Zollinger, Providence
E. D. Ball, Logan
Antone Pherson, Logan
A. R. Hurst, No. Logan
Sam Judd, St. George
John Stuki, Santa Clara
Nelson Fenton, Pleasant Grove
Richard Brerton, Provo
Charles Stay, Calders Station, Salt Lake
Mrs. J. T. Winn, Lehi
Dr. T. B. Beatty, Salt Lake City
J. F. Knudson, Brigham City
J. Fred Odell, Woods Cross
Joseph A. Smith, Providence
VERMONT
Mrs. Charles A. Lewis, Grafton
Arthur H. Hill, Isle La Motte
VIRGINIA
Warren Tomlinson, Farmville
R. G. Bickford, Lee Hall Farm, Newport News
Mrs. W. S. Mott, Dixondale
R. G. Bickford, Newport News
James H. Denmead, West Point, Box 50
John J. Rhodes, Potomac View Farm, Sterling
R. M. Fontaine, Richmond, care of Chesapeake and Potomac Telegraph Co.,
7th and Grace Streets
WASHINGTON
J. P. Douglass, Tonasket
A. H. Irish, Wapato
Robert W. Bryan, Alderdale
WEST VIRGINIA
Martin Crow, Dallas
WISCONSIN
W. S. Liston, 459 Van Buren Street, Milwaukee
WYOMING
W. C. Deming, Editor _Wyoming Stockman-Farmer_, Cheyenne
AUTHORITIES AND SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS
For a list of authorities and special correspondents in all the states
of the Union, and elsewhere, see the report of this Association for
1913.
* * * * *
SOME RECENT LITERATURE ON NUTS AND NUT GROWING
The Agriculture of the Future. J. Russell Smith, _Harper's
Magazine_, January, 1913, p. 273.
The Doctor's New Job. J. Russell Smith, _Country Gentleman_, June
28, 1913, p. 970.
Nut Farming For Tomorrow. J. Russell Smith, _Country Gentleman_,
July 5, 1913, p. 1015.
The Pecan and the Patient Waiter. J. Russell Smith, _Country
Gentleman_, December 20, 1913.
Pigs, Peas and Pecans. J. Russell Smith, _Ibid._, December 27, 1913.
The Real Dry Farmer. J. Russell Smith, _Harper's Monthly_, May,
1914.
Tree Crops as a Control of Erosion. J. Russell Smith, _Science_,
June 12, 1914.
Two Story Farming. J. Russell Smith, _Century Magazine_, July, 1914.
The Agriculture of the Garden of Eden. J. Russell Smith, _Atlantic
Monthly_, August, 1914.
Vacations that Counted. J. Russell Smith, _Harper's Weekly_,
September 12, 1914.
The Life History and Habits of the Walnut Weevil or Curculio,
_Conotrachelus juglandis_. Part III of the Annual Report of the
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, 1912, p.
240.
The Walnut Bud-moth, _Acrobasis caryae_. _Ibid._, p 253.
Japan Walnuts, _Juglans sieboldiana_. _Rural New-Yorker_, February
1, 1913. H. O. Mead on variation in type and crossing.
Persian Walnuts for Indiana. Van Deman, _Rural New-Yorker_, February
22, 1913, p. 225.
Dropping Walnuts. _Ibid._, p. 259.
Chestnut Bark Disease. Part V of the Annual Report of the
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, 1912. Very
full account, 100 pages, plates, charts and bibliography.
The Chestnut Bark Disease. _Ibid._, bul. 178, September, 1913.
So-called Chestnut Blight Poisoning. _Ibid_. Part I of the Annual
Report for 1914. 12 pages and plate.
Supposed Poisonous Properties of Chestnuts Grown on Trees Affected
with Chestnut Blight. C. Dwight March. _Journal of the American
Medical Association_, July 4, 1914, p. 30.
Studies in Juglans, 1. Study of a Form of _Juglans Californica_,
Watson. By Ernest B. Babcock. University of California Publications
in _Agricultural Sciences_ Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 1-46, pls. 1-12.
December 4, 1913.
Studies in Juglans, II. Further Observations on a New Variety of
_Juglans Californica_, Watson, and on Certain Supposed Walnut-Oak
Hybrids. By Ernest R. Babcock. _Ibid._ Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 47-70,
pls. 13-19. Oct. 31, 1914.
Production of the Walnut in the Northwest. Ferd Groner. Fifth Annual
Report, Oregon State Horticultural Society, December, 1913. p. 159.
Top-Working Seedling Pecan Trees. W. N. Hutt. Bul. 224, North
Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, January, 1914.
Excellent description and illustrations.
Birds as Carriers of the Chestnut Blight Fungus. _Journal of
Agricultural Research_, September, 1914, Vol. II, No. 6, Department
of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Account of experiments, with
plates and bibliography.
Pecan Rosette. By W. A. Orton and Frederick V. Rand. Reprint from
_Journal of Agricultural Research_, Vol. III, No. 2. Department of
Agriculture, Washington, D. C., November 16, 1914.
The Possibilities of Nut Culture in New England. By Dr. William C.
Deming. Reprinted from the Transactions of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society, 1914, Part 1. Boston, August, 1914.
Nut Culture. By William C. Deming. Circular No. 26, Massachusetts
State Board of Agriculture. June, 1914.
Nut Growing and the Propagation of Nut Trees. By William C. Deming.
To be printed in the Annual Report of the New Jersey State
Horticultural Society, 1914.
Grafting the Hickory. By William C. Deming. _Rural New-Yorker_,
December 12, 1914. Note on a simple method for grafting the hickory
by the slip bark method.
Nuts for the North. H. E. Van Deman. _Green's Fruit Grower_,
December, 1914, p. 7.
Cracking the Walnut Blight. Walter V. Woehlke. _The Country
Gentleman_, November 28, 1914, p. 1910. Illustrations of top-working
the walnut in California.
_American Nut Journal_. Published monthly at Rochester, N. Y., by
Ralph T. Olcott, Editor of _American Fruits_. $1.25 a year, or $2.50
with yearly membership in this Association. First number issued
June, 1914, Ellwanger & Barry Building.
Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual Convention of the National Nut
Growers Association, Thomasville, Georgia, October, 1914. J. B.
Wight, Secretary, Cairo, Georgia.
PRESENT AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NORTHERN NUT GROWERS
ASSOCIATION
W. C. Reed
M. T. Reed
C. A. Reed
R. T. Morris
J. Russell Smith
Col. C. K. Sober
W. O. Potter
E. A. Riehl
J. L. Doan
H. R. Weber
C. P. Close
R. L. McCoy
J. F. Wilkinson
T. P. Littlepage
R. T. Olcott
W. C. Deming
H. D. Simpson
Ray C. Simpson
Dr. A. J. Knapp
L. W. Kiefer
Col. C. A. Van Duzee
John S. Parish
Miss Ellen Littlepage
Mrs. H. S. Kramer
Dr. Worsham
Mr. C. D. Evans
Paul White
Mr. A. C. Pomeroy
Mrs. Pomeroy
Harry Gieseke, Patoka, Ind., R. 22
D. C. Hargis, Hebbardsville, Ky.
C. A. Weilbrenner, Mt. Vernon, Ind.
C. E. Browne, Glen St. Mary, Fla.
J. W. Gleichman, Evansville
H. M. Thurber, Rockport
A. L. Moseley
W. E. McElderry, Princeton, Ind.
John F. Woods, Owensville, Ind.
Dr. F. L. Davis, 209 Dover St., Evansville
A. M. Williams, Evansville Press
L. P. Doarr, Howell, Ind., R. 9
Clarence A. Cook, Indianapolis
Robert J. Tracewell, Evansville, and son
Thomas L. Kerth, 910 Third Ave., Evansville
W. A. Graham, Enterprise
Carl J. Poll
C. F. Kale
C. F. Kleiderer, Henderson, Ky.
J. C. Haines, Lake
C. H. Baldwin, State Entomologist
Leo H. Fisher, Huntingburg, Ind.
Prof C. W. Matthews
Prof. Carmody
Mrs. J. W. Wilkinson
Mrs. Amy Norris
Miss Lottie Lee Mattingly
Anthony Dodds, Enterprise
Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Dodds
Mrs. Ed. J. Fehn
Miss Ollie Dilday
Mrs. Fred Elmendorf
Miss Halma May Dodds
Miss Laura Hostetter
E. E. Lockwood, Poseyville, Ind.
Mason J. Niblack
W. A. Taylor, Oaktown
Hugh C. Schmidt, Evansville
J. W. Strassell, Rockport, Ind.
Mrs. J. W. Strassell, Rockport, Ind.
Miss Helen Gentry, Rockport, Ind.
Chas. F. Hartmetz, Evansville, Ind.
Reporters
ANNUAL MEETING IN 1915
The following letter was sent to our members and some of our
correspondents living in or near Rochester. The secretary would be
pleased if every person who opens this volume at this page would read
this letter and, having read, would make a note of it for action.
GEORGETOWN, CONN., September 10, 1914.
DEAR SIR:
Rochester, N. Y., is quite likely to be selected as the place for the
next meeting of the Northern Nut Growers Association, and the Persian
("English") walnut as the subject for especial consideration.
There are many Persian walnut trees in Rochester and vicinity. Will you
not bear in mind that we shall probably meet there and help to make the
meeting a success? One way in which this can be done is to look up _now_
any walnut trees, or other superior nut trees, observe their bearing and
get their records and samples of the nuts, with photographs if
desirable.
Another way to help is to talk about the association and this meeting to
others and get them interested in the association and in reporting nuts.
Any assistance in making arrangements, or in providing attractions for
the meeting will be most welcome.
I append a list of members and correspondents in and about Rochester.
Mr. Olcott, the editor of the _American Nut Journal_, will undoubtedly
act as a central bureau for information and report.
Let us make this coming meeting go far toward settling some of the
undecided points about the Persian walnut in the East.
Yours truly,
W. C. DEMING.
_Secretary._
* * * * *
Plant My Hardy Pennsylvania Grown
Budded and Grafted
English Walnut
and Pecan Trees
if you want to start right
You can't afford to experiment with trees of doubtful
hardiness, neither do you want inferior varieties
_My 1915 attractive Catalogue and Cultural Guide
is yours for the asking_
Address
J. F. JONES, The Nut Tree Specialist
LANCASTER ... PENNSYLVANIA
* * * * *
CHESTER VALLEY NURSERIES
ESTABLISHED 1853
Choice Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Cherry Trees
on Mazzard Roots, Hardy Evergreens, Flowering
Shrubs, Hedge Plants, etc. Originators of the
THOMAS BLACK WALNUT
JOS. W. THOMAS & SONS, King of Prussia P. O., Montgomery Co., Pa.
* * * * *
J. G. RUSH
Propagator of
The Persian Walnut
By Grafting and Budding on Black Walnut Stock such Varieties as the NEBO,
HALL, HOLDEN, LANCASTER, FRANQUETTE, MAYETTE, CUT LEAF, Etc.
Originator of "RUSH" PERSIAN WALNUT
WEST WILLOW, PA. (Lancaster County)
* * * * *
Vincennes Nurseries
PROPAGATORS OF
_The Pecan
The Persian Walnut
The Hickory
The Chestnut
The Almond
The Hazelnut_
SEND FOR OUR SPECIAL NUT CATALOGUE
Also offer a general line of Nursery Stock
W. C. REED,
_Proprietor_
VINCENNES
INDIANA
* * * * *
Plant Fruit Trees to Make Money
to carry your nut crops through. But your trees to be profitable
must be right. I grow all my trees on first-class roots,
cut all my buds from first class bearing trees. I know they
are true to name and the best you can buy. Apples, Pears,
Plums, Cherries on Mazzard roots.
_Get Fraser's Tree Book Free_.
SAMUEL FRASER 10 Main St., Geneseo, N. Y.
* * * * *
PLANT TREES IN SOIL BLASTED WITH
DU PONT
Red Cross Farm Powder
Blasting makes a wider, better feeding area for growing roots,
permits greater water storage, forwards growth of trees and
brings them into bearing earlier than trees set in spade-dug
holes. Write for FREE BOOKLET about how to blast tree holes
with Red Cross Farm Powder.
DU PONT POWDER CO. WILMINGTON, DEL.
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Fifth Annual Meeting - Evansville, Indiana, August 20 and 21, 1914" ***
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