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