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NORTHERN NUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
REPORT
OF THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
September 7, 8 and 9, 1922
CONTENTS
Officers and Committees of the Association 4
State Vice-Presidents 5
Members of the Association 7
Constitution 15
By-Laws 16
Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual Convention 17
President's Address 20
Dr. Walter Van Fleet, Biography of, 23
Chestnut Blight, Letter from G. F. Gravatt, 27
Manchurian Walnut Industry, Letter from C. A. Reed 28
Report of the Treasurer 32
Almond Possibilities in the Eastern States, R. H. Taylor 42
Opportunities for a Woman in Nut Culture, Mrs. W. D. Ellwanger 46
The Plane and Screw in Grafting, Dr. R. T. Morris 48
Nut Growing in the South, Address by J. M. Patterson 53
The Blight-proof Filbert, Conrad Vollertsen 61
Nut Culture in Canada, J. A. Neilson 69
The Experimental Nut Orchard, W. G. Bixby 80
Pioneer Experience and Outlook, Dr. R. T. Morris 85
Tree Planting Ceremonies at Highland Park 108
Nuts the Source of Proteins and Fats, Dr. J. H. Kellogg 112
Chinese Nuts, Walnuts, P. W. Wang 120
Resolution on the Death of Dr. Walter Van Fleet 122
Resolution on the Death of Coleman K. Sober 123
Attendance and Exhibits 126
OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
President JAMES S. MCGLENNON Rochester, New York
Vice-President J. F. JONES Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Secretary WILLIAM C. DEMING 983 Main Street, Hartford, Ct.
Treasurer WILLARD G. BIXBY Baldwin, Nassau Co., New York
COMMITTEES
Auditing—C. P. CLOSE, C. A. REED
Executive—J. RUSSELL SMITH, W. S. LINTON AND THE OFFICERS
Finance—T. P. LITTLEPAGE, WILLARD G. BIXBY, W. C. DEMING
Hybrids—R. T. MORRIS, C. P. CLOSE, W. G. BIXBY, HOWARD SPENCE
Membership—JAMES S. MCGLENNON, H. R. WEBER, R. T. OLCOTT, W. G. BIXBY, W. C. DEMING, J. A. NEILSON, H. D. SPENCER, J. A. SMITH
Nomenclature—C. A. REED, R. T. MORRIS, J. F. JONES
Press and Publication—R. T. OLCOTT, W. G. BIXBY, W. C. DEMING
Programme—JAMES S. MCGLENNON, W. C. DEMING, R. T. OLCOTT, C. A.
REED, R. T. MORRIS, W. G. BIXBY, J. A. NEILSON
Promising Seedlings—C. A. REED, J. F. JONES, W. G. BIXBY,
J. A. NEILSON
STATE VICE-PRESIDENTS
Alabama H. M. Robertson 2026 1st Ave., Birmingham
Arizona Fred W. Heyne Douglas
Arkansas Prof. N. F. Drake University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
California T. C. Tucker 311 California St., San Francisco
Canada James A. Neilson Guelph
China P. W. Wang Kinsan Arboretum Chuking Kiangsu
Province
Colorado C. L. Cudebec Boulder, Box 233
Connecticut Ernest M. Ives Sterling Orchards, Meriden
Dist. of
Columbia B. G. Foster 902 G. St., Washington
England Howard Spence Eskdale Knutsford Cheshire
Georgia J. M. Patterson Putney
Illinois Henry D. Spencer Decatur
Indiana J. F. Wilkinson Rockport
Iowa D. C. Snyder Center Point
Kansas James Sharp Council Grove
Kentucky Frank M. Livengood Berea
Maine Alice D. Leavitt 79 High St., Bridgton
Maryland P. J. O'Connor Bowie
Massachusetts C. Leroy Cleaver 496 Commonwealth Ave., Boston
Michigan Dr. J. H. Kellogg Battle Creek
Mississippi Theodore Bechtel Ocean Springs
Missouri P. C. Stark Louisiana
Nebraska William Caha Wahoo
Nevada C. G. Swingle Hazen
New Hampshire Henry B. Stevens Durham
New Jersey C. S. Ridgway Lumberton
New York Mrs. W. D. Ellwanger 510 E. Ave., Rochester
North Carolina C. W. Matthews N. C. Dept. of Agriculture, Raleigh
Ohio Harry R. Weber 123 E. 6th St., Cincinnati
Oklahoma Dr. C. E. Beitman Skedee
Oregon Knight Pearcy Salem, R. F. D. No. 3, Box 187
Pennsylvania F. N. Fagan State College
South Carolina Prof. A. G. Shanklin Clemson College
Tennessee J. W. Waite Normandy
Texas J. H. Burkett Clyde
Utah Joseph A. Smith Edgewood Hall, Providence
Vermont F. C. Holbrook Brattleboro
Virginia W. N. Roper Petersburg
Washington Richard H. Turk Washougal
West Virginia Fred E. Brooks French Creek
Wisconsin Dr. G. W. Patchen Manitowoc
MEMBERS OF THE
NORTHERN NUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
ALABAMA
Robertson, H. M., 2026 1st Ave., Birmingham
ARIZONA
Heyne, Fred W., Douglas
ARKANSAS
*Drake, Prof. N. F., University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Dunn, D. K., Wynne
CALIFORNIA
Cajori, F. A., 1220 Byron St., Palo Alto
Cress, B. E., Tehachapi
Thorpe, Will J., 1545 Divisadero St., San Francisco
Tucker, T. C., 311 California St., San Francisco
CANADA
Bell, Alex, Milliken, Ontario
Corcoran, William, Port Dalhousie, Box 26, Ontario
Corsan, G. H., Address 55 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Corsan, Mrs. G. H., Address 55 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Haight, P. N., St. Thomas
Neilson, Jas. A., Guelph, Ontario
CHINA
*Kinsan Arboretum, Lang Terrace, No. Szechuen Rd., Shanghai
P. W. Wang, Sec'y.
COLORADO
Bennett, L. E. Cory
Butterbaugh, Dr. W. S., Engleburg, Las Animas Co. (via Trinidad)
Cudebec, C. L., Boulder, Box 233
Hartman, Richard, Kremmling
CONNECTICUT
Barrows, Paul M., Stamford, R. F. D. No. 30
Bartlett, Francis A., Stamford
Benedict, Samuel L., 98 So. Main St., So. Norwalk
Bielefield, F. J., South Farms, Middletown
Bradley, Smith T., Grand Ave., New Haven
Craig, Joseph A., 783 Washington Ave., West Haven
Deming, Dr. W. C., 983 Main St., Hartford
Deming, Mrs. William, Litchfield
Glover, James L., Shelton, R. F. D., No. 7
Gotthold, Mrs. Frederick, Wilton
Hardon, Mrs. Henry, Wilton
Hilliard, H. J., Sound View
Hungerford, Newman, Torrington, R. F. D. No. 2, Box 76
Ives, E. M., Sterling Orchards, Meriden
Leroy, Peter, 1363 Main St., Hartford
Lewis, Henry Leroy, 1822 Main St., Stratford
Morris, Dr. R. T., Cos Cob, Route 28, Box 95
Pomeroy, Eleazer, 120 Bloomfield Ave., Windsor
Sessions, Albert L., 25 Bellevue Ave., Bristol
Southworth, George E., Milford, Box 172
Staunton, Gray, 320 Howard Ave., New Haven
White, Gerrard, North Granby
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Beatty, Dr. Wilbur M. L., 4027 Georgia Ave.
Close, Prof. C. P., Pomologist, Dept. of Agriculture
Foster, B. G., 902 G St., N. W.
*Littlepage, T. P., Union Trust Bldg.
Reed, C. A., Dept. of Agriculture
ENGLAND
Spence, Howard, Eskdale, Knutsford, Cheshire
GEORGIA
Bullard, Wm. P., Albany
Killian, C. M., Valdosta
Parrish, John S., Cornelia, Ga. Box 57
Patterson, J. M., Putney
Perry, A. S., Cuthbert
Steele, R. C., Lakemont, Rabun Co.
Wight, J. B., Cairo
ILLINOIS
Brown, Roy W., Spring Valley
Buckman, Benj., Farmingdale
Buxton, T. C., Stine Bldg., Decatur
Casper, O. H., Anna
Clough, W. A., 929 Monadnoch Bldg., Chicago
Falrath, David, 259 N. College St., Decatur
Heide, John F. H., 500 Oakwood Blvd., Chicago
Illinois, University of, Urbana
Marsh, Mrs. W. V., Aledo
Mosnat, H. R., 7237 Yale Ave., Chicago
Potter, Hon. W. O., Marion
Powers, Frank S., 595 Powers Lane, Decatur
Rickelman, Harry J., Weed Bldg., Effingham
Riehl, E. A., Godfrey, Route 2
Shaw, James B., Champaign, Box 644
Spencer, Henry D., Decatur
Sundstrand, Mrs. G. D., 916 Garfield Ave., Rockford
Swisher, S. L., Mulkeytown
Wells, Oscar, Farina
White, W. Elmer, 175 Park Place, Decatur
INDIANA
Clayton, C. L., Owensville
Crain, Donald J., 1313 North St., Logansport
Jackson, Francis M., 122 N. Main St., South Bend
Redmon, Felix, Rockport, R. R. 2, Box 32
Reed, W. C., Vincennes
Rowell, Mrs. Geo. P., 219 N. 5 St., Goshen
Simpson, H. D., Vincennes
Staderman, A. L., 120 So. 7 St., Terre Haute
Wilkinson, J. F., Rockport
IOWA
Bricker, C. W., Ladora
Finnell, J. F. C., Hamburg
Pfeiffer, W. F., Fayette
Skromme, L. J., Roland (Skromme Seed Co.)
Snyder, D. C., Center Point
Snyder, S. W., Center Point
KANSAS
Bishop, S. L., Conway Springs
Gray, Dr. Clyde, Horton
Sharpe, James, Council Grove
KENTUCKY
Baker, Sam C., Beaver Dam, R. F. D. No. 2
Livengood, Frank M., Berea
MAINE
Leavitt, Mrs. Alice D., 79 High St., Brighton
MARYLAND
Auchter, E. C., Md. State College of Agri. College Park
Keenan, Dr. John F., Brentwood
Littlepage, Miss Louise, Bowie
O'Connor, P. J., Bowie
MASSACHUSETTS
*Bowditch, James H., 903 Tremont Bldg., Boston
Cleaver, C. Leroy, Hingham Centre
Jackson, Arthur H., 63 Fayerweather St., Cambridge
Johnstone, Edward O., North Carver
Mass. Agri. College, Library of, Amherst
Scudder, Dr. Charles L., 209 Beacon St., Boston
MICHIGAN
Beck, J. P., 25 James, Saginaw
Charles, Dr. Elmer, Pontiac
Cross, John L., 104 Division St., Bangor
Graves, Henry B., 2134 Dime Bank Bldg., Detroit
Guild, Stacy R., 562 So. 7th St., Ann Arbor
Hartig, G. F., Bridgeman, R. F. D. No. 1
House, George W., Ford Bldg., Detroit
Kellogg, Dr. J. H., 202 Manchester St., Battle Creek
*Linton, W. S., Saginaw
MacNab, Dr. Alex B., Cassopolis
McKale, H. B., Lansing, Route 6
Olson, A. E., Holton
Penney, Senator Harvey A., 425 So. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw
Smith, Edward J., 85 So. Union St., Battle Creek
MISSISSIPPI
Bechtel, Theo., Ocean Spring
MISSOURI
Crosby, Miss Jessie M., 4241 Harrison St., Kansas City
Hazen, Josiah J., Neosho Nurseries Co., Neosho
Rhodes, J. I., 224 Maple St., Neosho
Spellen, Howard P., 4505a W. Papin St., St. Louis
Stark, P. C., Louisiana
NEBRASKA
Caha, William, Wahoo
Thomas, Dr. W. A., Lincoln, R. R. No. 2
NEVADA
Swingle, C. G., Hazen
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Stevens, Henry B., N. H., College of Agriculture, Durham
NEW JERSEY
Brown, Jacob E., Elmer, Salem Co.
Franck, M., Box 89, Franklin
*Jaques, Lee W., 74 Waverly St., Jersey City
Landmann, Miss M. V., Cranbury, R. D. No. 2
Marshall, S. L., Vineland
Marston, Edwin S., Florham Park, Box 72
Phillips, Irving S., 501 Madison St., West New York
Price, John R., 36 Ridgedale Ave., Madison
Ridgway, C. S., Lumberton
Salvage, W. K., Farmingdale
Stover, Evan W., Riverton
Westcoat, Wilmer, 230 Knight Ave., Collingswood
NEW YORK
Abbott, Frederick B., 1211 Tabor Court, Brooklyn
Adams, Sidney I., 418 Powers Bldg., Rochester
Ashworth, Fred L., Heuvelton
Babcock, H. J., Lockport
Bennett, Howard S., 851 Joseph Ave., Rochester
Bethea, J. G., 243 Rutgers St., Rochester
Bixby, Willard G., 32 Grand Ave., Baldwin, Nassau Co.
Borchers, H. Chas., Wenga Farm, Armonk
Brown, Ancel J., 418 W. 25th St., N. Y. C.
Brown, Ronald K., 320 B'way, N. Y. C.
Buist, Dr. G. L., 3 Hancock St., Brooklyn
Clark, George H., 131 State St., Rochester
Coriell, A. S., 120 Broadway, N. Y. C.
Crane, Alfred J., Monroe
Culver, M. L., 238 Milburn St., Rochester
Diprose, Alfred H., 468 Clinton Ave., South, Rochester
Dunbar, John, Dep't. of Parks, Rochester
Ellwanger, Mrs. W. D., 510 East Ave., Rochester
Ford, Geo. G., 129 Dartmouth St., Rochester
Gager, Dr. C. Stuart, Bklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn
Gilgan, Pat'k. H., 358 Lake Ave., Rochester
Gillett, Dr. Henry W., 140 W. 57th St., N. Y. C.
Goeltz, Mrs. M. H., 2524 Creston Ave., N. Y. C.
Graham, S. H., Ithaca, R. D. No. 5
Haggerty, Susanne, 490 Oxford St., Rochester
Hall, L. W. Jr., 509 Cutler Bldg., Rochester (L. W. Hall Co.)
Harper, George W, Jr., 115 B'way, N. Y. C.
Hart, Frank E., Landing Road, Brighton
Haskill, Mrs. L. M., 56 Oxford St., Rochester
Haws, Elwood D., Public Market, Rochester
Henshall, H., 5 W. 125th St., N. Y. C.
Hoag, Henry S., Delhi
Hodge, James, 199 Kingsbridge Rd. W., Kingsbridge, N. Y. C.
Hodgson, Casper W., Yonkers, (World Book Co.)
Hoffman, Arthur S., 36 Church St., White Plains
*Huntington, A. M., 15 W. 81st St., N. Y. C.
Jewett, Edmund G., 16 S. Elliott Place, Brooklyn
Johnston, Harriet M. B., 15th St. & 4th Ave., N. Y. C.
Kains, M. G., Pomona
Lattin, Dr. H. W., Albion
Lauth, John C., 67 Tyler St., Rochester
Liveright, Frank I., 120 W. 70th St., N. Y. C.
MacDaniel, S. H., Dept. of Pomology, N. Y. State College of
Agriculture, Ithaca
Masseth, Rev. John E., Dansville
Mayer, Norman, 30 Avenue "A", Rochester
McGlennon, J. S., 28 Cutler Bldg., Rochester
McGlennon, Norma, 166 N. Goodman St., Rochester
Meyers, Charles, 316 Adelphi St., Brooklyn
Motondo, Grant F., 198 Monroe Ave., Rochester
Nolan, Mrs. C. R., 47 Dickinson St., Rochester
Nolan, M. J., 47 Dickinson St., Rochester
Olcott, Ralph T., Ellwanger & Barry Bldg., Rochester
Piehler, Alois, 706 Commerce Bldg., Rochester
Pirrung, Miss L. M., 779 East Ave., Rochester
Pomeroy, A. C., Lockport
Rawnsley, Mrs. Annie, 242 Linden St., Rochester
Rawnsley, James B., 242 Linden St., Rochester
Richardson, J. M., 2 Columbus Circle, N. Y. C.
Ritvhir, John W., 2 A. Beach St., Yonkers
Ryder, Clayton, Carmel
Schroeder, E. A., 223 East Ave., Rochester
Shutt, Erwin E., 509 Plymouth Ave., Rochester
Smith, Louis R., 145 Merrimac St., Rochester
Snyder, Leroy E., 241 Barrington St., Rochester
Solley, Dr. John B., 968 Lexington Ave., N. Y. C.
Stephen, John W., Syracuse, N. Y. State College of Forestry
Teele, Arthur W., 120 B'way, N. Y. C.
Tucker, Arthur R., Chamber of Commerce, Rochester
Tucker, Mrs. G. B., 110 Harvard St., Rochester
Tucker, Geo. B., 110 Harvard St., Rochester
Vick, C. A., 142 Harvard St., Rochester
Vollertsen, Conrad, 375 Gregory St., Rochester
Waller, Percy, 284 Court St., Rochester
Whitney, Arthur C., 9 Manila St., Rochester
Whitney, Leon F., 65 Barclay St., New York City
Wile, M. E., 955 Harvard St., Rochester
Williams, Dr. Chas. Mallory, 4 W. 50 St., New York City
*Wissmann, Mrs. F. de R., Westchester, New York City
Wyckoff, E. L., Aurora
NORTH CAROLINA
Hutchings, Miss L. G., Pine Bluff
Matthews, C. W., North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture, Raleigh
Van Lindley, J., J. Van Lindley Nursery Co., Pomona
OHIO
Burton, J. Howard, Casstown
Dayton, J. H., Storrs & Harrison, Painesville
Fickes, W. R., Wooster, R. No. 6
Jackson, A. V., 3275 Linwood Rd., Cincinnati
Ketchum, C. S., Middlefield, Box 981
Pomerene, Julius, 1949 East 116 St., Cleveland
Ramsey, John, 1803 Freeman Ave., Cincinnati
Truman, G. G., Perrysville, Box 167
*Weber, Harry R., 123 East 6 St., Cincinnati
Yunck, Edward G., 706 Central Ave., Sandusky
OKLAHOMA
Beitmen, Dr. C. E., Skedee
OREGON
Frost, Earl C., Route 1, Box 515, Gates Rd., Portland
Marvin, Cornelia, Librarian, Oregon State Library, Salem
Nelson, W. W., R. No. 3, Box 652, Portland
Pearcy, Knight, 210 Oregon Bldg., Salem
PENNSYLVANIA
Althouse, C. Scott, 540 Pear St., Reading
Balthaser, James M., Wernersville, Berks Co.
Bohn, Dr. H. W., 34 No. 9 St., Reading
Bolton, Chas. G., Zieglerville, Pa.
Bomberger, John S., Lebanon, R. F. D. No. 1
Chapin, Irvin, Shickshinny
Clark, D. F., 147 N. 13 St., Harrisburg
Druckemiller, W. H., 31 No. 4th St., Sunbury
Ewing, Chas. A., Steelton
Fagan, Prof. F. N., State College
Fritz, Ammon P., 35 E. Franklin St., Ephrata
Heffner, H., Leeper
Hess, Elam G., Manheim
Hile, Anthony, Curwensville
Hoopes, Edwin A., Pocono Manor, Monroe Co.
Horst, John D., Reading
Irwin, Ernest C., 66 St. Nicholas Bldg., Pittsburg
Jenkins, Charles Francis, Farm Journal, Philadelphia
*Jones, J. F., Lancaster, Box 527
Kaufman, M. M., Clarion
Leas, F. C., Merion Station
Mellor, Alfred, 152 W. Walnut Lane, Germantown, Philadelphia
Minick, C. G., Ridgway
Murphy, P. J., Vice Pres. L. & W. R. R. Co., Scranton
Myers, J. Everitt, York Springs, R. D. No. 3
Negley, C. H., Greencastle, R. D. No. 2
Patterson, J. E., 77 North Franklin St., Wilkes Barre
*Rick, John, 438 Penn. Sq., Reading
Rittenhouse, Dr. J. S., Lorane
Robinson, W. I., Fort Loudon
Rose, William J., 413 Market St., Harrisburg, "Personal"
Rush, J. G., West Willow
Russell, Dr. Andrew L., 729 Wabash Bldg., Pittsburgh
Shoemaker, H. C., 1739 Main St., Northampton
Smedley, Samuel L., Newtown Sq., R. F. D. No. 1
Smedley, Mrs. Samuel L., Newtown Sq., R. F. D. No. 1
Smith, Dr. J. Russell, Swarthmore
Spencer, L. N., 216 East New St., Lancaster
Taylor, Loundes, West Chester, Box 3, Route 1
Walther, R. G., Willow Grove, Doylestown Pike
Weaver, Wm. S., Macungie
Whitner, Harry D., Reading
Wilhelm, Dr. Edward A., Clarion
*Wister, John C., Clarkson & Wister Strs., Germantown
Wolf, D. D., 527 Vine St., Philadelphia
SOUTH CAROLINA
Kendall, Dr. F. D., 1317 Hampton Ave., Columbia
Shanklin, Prof. A. G., Clemson College
Taylor, Thos., 1112 Bull St., Columbia
TENNESSEE
Waite, J. W., Normandy
UTAH
Smith, Joseph A., Edgewood Hall, Providence
VERMONT
Aldrich, A. W., Springfield, R. F. D., No. 3
Holbrook, F. C., Brattleboro
VIRGINIA
+Dodge, Harrison H., Mount Vernon
Harris, D. C., Capital Landing Rd., Williamsburg
Hopkins, N. S., Dixondale
Jordan, J. H., Bohannon
Roper, W. N., Petersburg
WASHINGTON
Baines, William, Okanogan
Turk, Richard H., Washougal
WEST VIRGINIA
Brooks, Fred E., French Creek
Cannaday, Dr. J. E., Charleston, Box 693
Hartzel, B. F., Shepherdstown
Mish, A. F., Inwood
WISCONSIN
Lang, Robert B., Racine, Box 103
Patchen, Dr. G. W., Manitowoc
+Honorary member
*Life member
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I
Name. This society shall be known as the NORTHERN NUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION.
ARTICLE II
Object. Its object shall be the promotion of interest in nut-bearing plants, their products and their culture.
ARTICLE III
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 rules and regulations of the committee on membership.
ARTICLE IV
Officers. There shall be a president, a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer, who shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting; and an executive committee of six persons, of which the president, the two last retiring presidents, the vice-president, the secretary and the treasurer shall be members. There shall be a state vice-president from each state, dependency, or country represented in the membership of the association, who shall be appointed by the president.
ARTICLE V
Election of Officers. A committee of five members shall be elected at the annual meeting for the purpose of nominating officers for the following year.
ARTICLE VI
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.
ARTICLE VII
Quorum. Ten members of the association shall constitute a quorum, but must include two of the four elected officers.
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments. This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any annual meeting, notice of such amendment having been read at the previous annual meeting, or a copy of the proposed amendment having been mailed by any member to each member thirty days before the date of the annual meeting.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
Committees. The association shall appoint standing committees as follows: On membership, on finance, on programme, on press and publication, on nomenclature, on promising seedlings, on hybrids, and an auditing committee. The committee on membership may make recommendations to the association as to the discipline or expulsion of any member.
ARTICLE II
Fees. Annual members shall pay two dollars annually, or three dollars and twenty-five cents, including a year's subscription to the American Nut Journal. Contributing members shall pay five dollars annually, this membership including a year's subscription to the American Nut Journal. Life members shall make one payment of fifty dollars, and shall be exempt from further dues. Honorary members shall be exempt from dues.
ARTICLE III
Membership. All annual memberships shall begin either with the first day of the calendar quarter following the date of joining the Association, or with the first day of the calendar quarter preceding that date as may be arranged between the new member and the Treasurer.
ARTICLE IV
Amendments. By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of members present at any annual meeting.
PROCEEDINGS
at the
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION
of the
NORTHERN NUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
Rochester, N. Y., September 7, 8 and 9, 1922
The convention was called to order at 9:40 A. M., Thursday, September 7, 1922, by the President, Mr. James S. McGlennon, of Rochester, New York, at the Osburn House, Rochester, N. Y.
THE PRESIDENT: This is the thirteenth annual convention of the Northern Nut Growers' Association. We have been favored by Rev. Dr. Cushman in consenting to give the invocation.
Invocation by Rev. Ralph S. Cushman.
THE PRESIDENT: I believe I voice the sentiment of all present in saying that we are grateful to Dr. Cushman for his prayer and I personally extend to him my sincere thanks and on behalf of the association.
I have the great honor and the rare privilege of introducing to you our Mayor. He has very kindly consented to come here and make an address of welcome to this association.
MAYOR VAN ZANDT: Mr. President and ladies and gentlemen, members of the Nut Growers' Association: Your President has said I was going to make an address; I never did such a thing in my life. I am glad to welcome you to the city of Rochester; I hope your meeting will be profitable and so pleasant that you will want to come again. I believe there are very few people in Rochester who know anything about nut growing. We have a splendid exhibit here from our parks and one that I am very proud of and we have a man here, Mr. Dunbar, that we are very proud of; he is a wonder; I confess that I didn't know there were so many nuts to be found in the parks myself—that is no joke. It is a wonderful thing, it is a revelation to me, I never dreamed that you could find such things growing around this part of the country at all. I fancy that most people don't know anything about nuts at all, except the five-cent bag of peanuts. I certainly wish you success in every way and particularly with reference to the plantation that I understand has been started here close to Rochester where they are doing some wonderful work. Most of us have the idea that nuts are used by people to put on the table for dessert at Christmas time and but little appreciate their true food value.
I sincerely trust that you will all come again, that you will have pleasant weather and that you will have time after work to see something of our beautiful city. We think it is the most beautiful one in the country. Thank you. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: If you can wait just a minute, I am going to ask for a reply to your address of welcome. Mr. Patterson comes from Albany, Georgia, and is probably the biggest producer of pecans in the world. Mr. Patterson is a member of this association and has very kindly consented to come all the way from Georgia to be with us.
MR. PATTERSON: Mr. President, Mr. Mayor, ladies and gentlemen: I wonder if the President in saying I was the biggest nut grower in the world had any reference to my physical proportions. You have certainly a wonderful exhibit here, Mr. Mayor, of the products of your parks and you have reason to be proud of it, as you have for many other things in the city of Rochester. It has been my privilege to make short visits to the city, my wife having some relatives here. I said to my cousin this morning, if there is any place outside of the South where I would rather live, it would be Rochester.
The nut proposition is in its infancy and we all believe, those of us who are wholly nuts, that it will grow into a giant. We have a little giant in the south in the shape of the paper-shell pecan and we are expecting that this Northern Nut Growers' Association will, within the next few years, develop some varieties of nuts, or discover some varieties of nuts, that are adapted to this northern climate and will do for the northern states, the northern, eastern and western, what the pecan is promising to do and really is doing for the South. While not a native of the South I think I may extend the cordial greeting of the South to you in the North. There was a time when a northerner like myself who moved into the South had just one name and that was a "damned Yankee", and a good many people through the South thought that was one word, but that time has passed and they are welcoming in the South today the northerner who comes with an honest purpose of helping develop that wonderful country. The day of bitterness is fast passing away, so I bring to you not only the greetings of the southern nut growers, but of the South and I bring to the Mayor, and through the Mayor to the citizens of this beautiful city, the greetings of the membership of this association. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: I am very grateful to you for your consideration of my impromptu request.
THE MAYOR: I will promise to give an order to the policemen to crack no nuts while the nut growers' association is in town. As to the 18th amendment, I think that nuts are about the only vegetable that I know of that they are not making hootch out of at the present time.
THE PRESIDENT: I feel that we have been particularly favored not only in receiving an address of welcome from our Mayor, but also in having with us the President of our Chamber of Commerce, who has kindly consented to come and welcome us also. It gives me distinct pleasure to call upon the president of our Chamber of Commerce, Mr. James W. Gleason.
MR. GLEASON: Mr. President and ladies and gentlemen: On behalf of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, I certainly want you to know that we appreciate the honor and privilege of having this convention held in Rochester. I don't know of a convention that has come to Rochester that should be more welcome on account of the scientific nature of your work and the magnificent aims and purposes of your organization in extending the planting of trees and the culture of your product. I know the Mayor has extended to you a welcome for the city but we have one citizen here in Rochester, Mr. George Eastman, of whom we are very proud because of the unselfish work that he has done, and in the work that you are doing you can appreciate what he is doing in a larger way than is given to most of us to be able to do. This week saw the opening of the famous new five million dollar Eastman Theater, dedicated to the public, and I believe the motto over the door is "For the enlargement of community life". Now, Mr. Eastman wants the people to consider this theater as their own, and that means you, that means all of us here. He would like to have the people from Rochester and the people from out of town take advantage of this magnificent structure, the wonderful orchestra, probably the finest thing of its kind in the world.
I won't make an extended address but I can promise that if you can come to the Chamber of Commerce we will make you all welcome. Thank you. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Weber of Cincinnati has kindly consented to make a reply to your address.
MR. WEBER: Mr. President and Mr. Gleason: We really know each other as old friends, for some years ago we had our convention here and we are very glad to have it in your city again. Such bodies as yours, the Chamber of Commerce, can further the activities of the Northern Nut Growers' Association and what it stands for in the North; which is demonstrated by the exhibits shown on the table. I see at both ends of the table exhibits that show what can be done in this community in particular in the way of nut growing. Right out behind us there is one of the largest English walnut groves in this part of the country. I think it has 228 trees. The mistake the gentleman made who planted them was that he didn't plant grafted trees. Had he planted grafted trees he would have had a gold mine right there on his farm; Mr. Vollertsen, one of your citizens, has begun an industry which in time may become another one for your Chamber of Commerce to look after. We appreciate your very fine exhibits, we are glad to be here with you and thank you for your address of welcome. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: According to the program the next feature is your president's address. I feel that it is unnecessary for me to even attempt to add anything to what His Honor, the Mayor and President Gleason have said relative to our wonderful city. It is one of the great cities of the world.
THE SECRETARY: What is the population of Rochester?
THE PRESIDENT: Over 300,000.
To Members of The Northern Nut Growers' Association:
GREETINGS:
Your President recommends that definite action be taken to the end of increasing our membership, to the still further end of exemplifying the truth of the old saying that "in union there is strength." More members mean the spreading of our gospel over greatly increased areas that should be interested in nut culture. The present membership is approximately 250, an increase of only 24 since the Lancaster Convention in October last year. And while it is also an old and true saying that "self praise is no recommendation," the fact remains that 18 of these new members were secured through my office.
It has been suggested at previous conventions that a systematic campaign for members can be perfected through organized co-operation by our State Vice-Presidents. I believe this to be the most efficacious medium through which the greatly desired results can be obtained. Of many, I am sure, systems that can be employed to such end there are two that always appeal to me as most desirable. Doubtless you all have thought of them at some time or other; in fact I have heard at previous conventions casual mention of the second. But the first I have heard little if anything of, and it is that effort should be exerted to interest women more actively in nut culture. We have a few women members. Why shouldn't there be as many women as men? I can think of no reason why there shouldn't. I believe that women are just as competent as men to conduct any feature of nut culture, with the possible exception of specific manual labor. And I can think of no more delightful vocation for women who love the great and wonderful outdoors—and where is the woman who does not?—than nut culture, the cultivation of nut trees and bushes, beautiful things not only for the grace and beauty of trunk and limb, foliage and flower, but for their real substance, their fruit, nuts, one of the most nutritious foods for human beings. More and more nuts are being consumed every day, and I venture to say that their consumption as a leading item in our dietary is only in its infancy. So I feel that here is another opportunity for our women to demonstrate the justice of her recent acquired suffrage in our national affairs.
The other possible source of membership I have in mind is a systematic campaign to enlist the interest and co-operation of school teachers. Just think of the possibilities of such a campaign. School teachers, every one, being the high-class people they necessarily are, would respond finely, I'm sure, and serve as a most desirable medium through which that very potent additional force can be reached, namely, the pupil. What parent would refuse a child's request to enable him or her to participate in the planting of a tree! Recently I cut out the following little poem, by Charles A. Heath, from my old-home-town Canadian paper:
THE MAN WHO LIKES A TREE
I like a man who likes a tree,
He's so much more of a man to me;
For when he sees his blessing there,
In some way, too, he wants to share
Whatever gifts his own may be,
In helping others, like a tree.
For trees, you know, are friends indeed,
They satisfy such human need;
In summer shade, in winter fire,
With flower and fruit meet all desire,
And if a friend to man you'd be,
You must befriend him like a tree.
A beautiful sentiment, I know you will agree, and applicable to any tree, but especially so to nut trees, for the reason that they combine all the laudable qualities enumerated plus that of food—food for man—one of the very finest of foods for man.
There are, of course, numerous other ways that can be employed to get new members. Another I might mention is that of offering suitable prizes; but I urge you to action, definite and specific, along this line, that our Association may better ably execute the worthy ambitions in which it was founded in 1910.
Then, again, more members mean more money. With more money we can get along faster. "Procrastination is the thief of time," you know. I trust that real action will be taken at this convention to the end of increasing our membership to at least one thousand by the time of the 1923 convention. It can be done—yes, easily. If only each member would pledge himself or herself to get three new members during the year the 1923 convention would find us with the desired membership; and I am sure that a considerable excess would be found on the roll at that time.
Also, increased membership is desirable to the end of increasing subscriptions to, and widening the scope of our official organ, The American Nut Journal, the only publication of the kind in the country. Under the able editorship of that Roman, one of our most earnest and intelligent members, Mr. Ralph T. Olcott, it is a power for good in the interests of nut culture. It can be made an even greater power with a materially increased subscription list, and I know that I speak for my friend, Olcott, when I say that he is ready and willing to expand the Journal's columns as will be required, of course, by the expansion of nut culture—I believe I voice the general sentiment of our membership when I say that no more welcome messenger comes to us each month than the American Nut Journal.
Another recommendation I am going to offer is, that the association consider the advisability of establishing a nursery at a point agreed on as best adapted for the propagating and nursing of such nut trees and bushes as it endorses as suitable and desirable for the area of country naturally governing the origin of our title—Northern Nut Growers' Association. This recommendation germinated in my thought from a casual remark made to me recently by our esteemed member, Mrs. W. D. Ellwanger, while I was a visitor at her charming summer home, Brooks Grove. Viewing her nursery of several thousand black walnut seedlings she casually mentioned that she would be very happy to present to any one desirous of planting such trees any consistent number he or she desired. As my thought dwelt on the expression of such a splendidly magnanimous nature I began to wonder, if a lady was willing to perform such a noble act, why should not the association elaborate on the worthy plan along the lines I have suggested. And with more members, and, thereby, more money, we can do it. Then The Northern Nut Growers' Association will be doing a real thing, something tangible, something that will attract new members in a way nothing else would, because people would then be able to see the living evidence of the practicability of our ideals. We could start in a small way, and grow. After long and earnest thought on the subject I came to the conclusion that it was worthy of our consideration.
From Mrs. Ellwanger's reference to "Johnny Appleseed" I believe that she found precedent for her nut tree nursery initiative in the work of inestimable value to posterity done by that same worthy. If the legend be true, he worked with much happiness of heart, but not more so than that of Mrs. Ellwanger, I am sure you will agree, when I tell you that many of her nursery trees are growing from nuts she garnered from roadside and field trees manifesting some exceptional trait, or indicating rare strain.
And I cannot refrain from urging action to the end of influencing our other states to pattern after good old Michigan in our effort to enact legislation, as she has done, providing for planting our roadsides with nut-bearing trees. It is something tangible, like this, that really counts. I believe that it is a fundamental of life, and living, that precedent, pro or con, is invaluable as governing subsequent action along similar lines. Here we have, in Michigan's action, a most worthy precedent, and I can think of no good reason why OUR other states should not do likewise. And I believe that this association, functioning efficiently, can exert the necessary influence to bring about a similar condition in OUR other states. My emphasis of the word OUR means The Northern Nut Growers' Association's states, you know.
I just wish to mention in passing that the author and collaborator, respectively, of the Michigan roadside planting of nut trees legislation are our esteemed members, Senator Harvey A. Penny and the Hon. William S. Linton, both of Saginaw, Mich.
In closing I desire to refer to our wealth, as an association, in scientific lore. The association is particularly well equipped in having a faculty, so to speak, than which there is none better in the country—yes, the world—in whose hands our recommendations, to the planter of nut trees, can be entrusted with absolute safety. For genuine scientific research in nut culture of the northern states this association stands singly and alone. This tribute is born of vivid remembrance of the really scientific work done by several of our worthy members, notably, Jones, Bixby, Morris, Deming and Vollertsen. Them, especially, I salute. (Applause.)
* * * * *
MR. OLCOTT: With reference to the suggestions in the President's address, why wouldn't it be desirable to refer them to a committee to report upon and take any action that may be desired?
THE PRESIDENT: I believe, Mr. Olcott, that is a good suggestion.
MR. OLCOTT: I move that the President's address be referred to a special committee to consider and report at a later meeting in respect to the suggestions made and the plans for carrying them out. Motion seconded by the Secretary and carried.
Committee appointed: The President, Mr. Olcott, Dr. Deming, Mr. Bixby and Mr. Jones, to report Friday evening.
THE PRESIDENT: The next feature of our proceeding is the report of our secretary, Dr. William C. Deming of Hartford, Conn.
THE SECRETARY: Mr. President, I beg to say that the secretary has no formal report; but I have a number of items that will be of interest to the association which we can take up at this time if you think best. I think first should be taken up the notices of two members who have died this year, both of whom were very prominently connected with nut growing, Dr. Walter Van Fleet and Col. C. K. Sober. I will read a notice of Dr. Van Fleet's death which has been especially prepared for us by Mr. Mulford of the United States Department of Agriculture.
DR. WALTER VAN FLEET
In the death of Dr. Walter Van Fleet on January 26, 1922, the United States has lost one of the greatest plant breeders in its history, and garden rose growers an ardent advocate and sincere friend. Since a lad he had been interested in these lines of work and the products of his unremitting and painstaking energy, combined with unlimited patience, are known by garden lovers all over the country, as well as in Europe.
Rosarians naturally know him best by his roses, of which there were many, among them that splendid variety that bears his name, as well as such others as Silver Moon, American Pillar, and Alida Lovett. Many more are still in the trial grounds of the United States Department of Agriculture at Bell Station, one of which, christened Miss Mary Wallace, will be available in two or three years.
The ideal rose for which he was striving, in all his later work at least, was a garden rose with foliage that would compare in healthfulness and disease resistance with the best of the rose species, that would be hardy under ordinary garden culture, and that would be a continuous bloomer. His experience taught him what would be likely to give the desired results, but often he could not come directly to the ends sought. For example, when he wanted to combine the characters of some newly found species with the Hybrid Tea roses, he would often find the two could not be crossed directly with one another. He would then seek some other rose that would combine with the new species, without changing the characteristics which he wished to preserve, after which he would grow the resulting hybrids and cross them with the hybrid tea. Sometimes he would need to make another cross before he could get the seedlings for which he was striving. When it is realized that each cross of this kind would take from three to five years before he could take the next step an idea is gained of the patience required. Sometimes the results of these crosses would be infertile, producing neither perfect pistil nor viable pollen, as in the case of a handsome scarlet rugosa growing in the National Rose Test Garden which he was unable to use for further breeding on this account.
His great love of his work is shown in his having given up a successful medical practice in 1891 to devote all his time to plant breeding. He did this, even though he had taken a post graduate course in medicine at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1886-7, after having graduated at the Hahneman Medical College in the same city in 1880. His first work after this change was primarily with the gladiolus on a farm between Alexandria and Mount Vernon, Va. The soil was not adapted to his purpose so he abandoned it and went from there about 1892 to the Conard and Jones Company of West Grove, Pa., then to Little Silver, N. J., and in 1897 to the Ruskin Colony in western Tennessee as the colony physician.
In 1899 he became associated with the Rural New Yorker and lived at Little Silver, N. J., where he continued his breeding work on his own place. As associate editor for the following ten years and as writer of the column of "Ruralisms" in this paper he has left much valuable information on plant life and plant growing. From 1902 to 1910 he was also Vice-President of the Rural Publishing Company. While at Little Silver he was breeding fruits, roses, chesnuts, lilies, freesias, azaleas, and other ornamentals.
In 1909 he went to the Plant Introduction Gardens of the United States Department of Agriculture, at Chico, Cal. As the climate did not agree with his wife, he remained at Chico but a year and moved to Washington, D. C., where his official work was with drug plants and chestnuts, but his own time was largely devoted to breeding work with a wide range of other plants, a continuation of much of the work he had been doing at Little Silver. The move to Chico, Cal., resulted in a great loss to his breeding work. Some of his material was left at Little Silver, much of it died in the uncongenial climate at Chico, and other promising plants were lost in the long shipment across the continent, both going and coming.
In 1916 he was transferred to the office of Horticultural and Pomological Investigations where he was permitted to devote himself to plant breeding along such lines as looked promising to him, while at the same time he continued his work with chestnuts and chinquapins and a few drug plants.
Dr. Van Fleet was born at Piermont, N. Y., June 18, 1857. His early years were spent on a farm but later he lived at Williamsport, Pa. In early life he made a study of birds, his first book being "Bird Portraits," published in 1888, apparently being a reprint of magazine articles, one of which dates back to 1876. He was also a successful taxidermist, having studied under Maynard, and trained several of the leading taxidermists of his generation, including Charles H. Eldon of Williamsport, Pa. At nineteen he spent a year in Brazil, first connected with a party constructing a railroad around some of the rapids of the upper Amazon, and later in connection with the Thomas scientific expedition collecting birds and plants.
August 7, 1883, he married Sarah C. Heilman of Watsontown, Pa., who was associated with him in his medical practice and in his breeding work, and has been a sympathetic and helpful companion, and who survives him.
His was a most lovable personality. Those who came into contact with him day after day appreciated best his sterling qualities. He was kindly and considerate and nothing was too much trouble, and yet he had an intolerance of hypocrisy and cant that was almost violent. He was steadfast of purpose and there is nothing that shows this better than his lifelong work in plant breeding and the ruthless manner in which he rooted out his inferior seedlings as soon as he felt them to be valueless. His likes and dislikes were strong. Above all, he was modest and retiring in the extreme. He not only avoided, but shunned publicity. He avoided the outdoor meetings of the American Rose Society in the National Rose Test Garden as much from the fear of publicity that we, his friends, could not refrain from giving him, as for any other reason. He regretted in his later years that he had given up, during his editorial career, the little public speaking that he had previously done and had gotten so out of practice that, with his disposition, he could not again take it up.
He was an amateur musician with a thorough knowledge of orchestral and band instruments, harmony, theory, and orchestration but during the last few years none but intimate frequenters of his home had the privilege of hearing him, although until within the last two or three years he often played the violin.
In 1918 he was awarded the George Robert White Medal of Honor for eminent services in horticulture by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, probably the greatest honor that can come to a horticulturist in this country. He had also been awarded three medals for the rose Miss Mary Wallace, a gold medal by the American Rose Society, a gold medal by the City of Portland, Oregon, and a silver trophy by the Portland (Oregon) Rose Society. He was associate editor of the magazine "Genetics" at the time of his death.
* * * * *
Although he was an honorary member of the association I think very few of us knew that he had such varied activities in his life as this little biography tells us he had. The death of Dr. Van Fleet has been a great loss to American horticulture and nut growing.
Also during the year Colonel Sober has died. Colonel Sober, as you know, was a man who had made a very great success of growing the Paragon chestnut. His was the first commercial success in nut growing in the North. Then the blight came along and wiped out his industry. The Colonel was loath to admit for a long time that he had the blight or that his trees were not immune and that his nut growing was going to be a failure on account of the blight. I have no biography of Colonel Sober to read but one was published in the American Nut Journal for August.
THE PRESIDENT: I feel that we ought to make some record here of our feeling for these two men. I knew them both personally. I met Dr. Van Fleet at Washington two years ago and Colonel Sober seven years ago when the convention was held here. I had a great deal of correspondence with Colonel Sober. I think that we should adopt a resolution now and send copies of it to the families of these two deceased gentlemen to let them know the high regard in which this association held them as members and men.
MR. O'CONNOR: I make that motion.
THE SECRETARY: I second that motion and ask that the President appoint a committee on resolutions, which will also cover any other resolutions that may be necessary during the course of the meeting.
(See Appendix for Report of Committee on Resolutions.)
THE PRESIDENT: I will appoint on that committee Dr. Morris, Mr.
Patterson, Dr. Deming, Mr. Jones and Mr. Rick.
THE SECRETARY: I have still a number of things here that will take up a good deal of time. I don't know that it is particularly interesting to any one outside of the association but I have a letter that I think is interesting to the members, especially those who have attempted chestnut culture, from Mr. G. F. Gravatt, assistant pathologist, United States Department of Agriculture, in which he says as follows:
As you may be asked questions at the Northern Nut Growers' Association meeting at Rochester regarding chestnut blight work of the Office of Forest Pathology I am sending the following letter:
By means of short field trips and correspondents I am keeping up in a general way with the spread of the chestnut blight. The disease is steadily spreading southward and westward. Infections are now known in seven counties in Ohio and thirteen counties in North Carolina. There is every reason to expect that the disease will ultimately cover the range of the native chestnut and chinquapin.
In Ohio several orchards have been reported as infected by State authorities. The blight is now present on native and planted chestnut in a number of localities in the Northwest quarter of that state. State authorities have reported one orchard in Indiana as infected.
It is evident that chestnut orchards located in the middle west are in danger of becoming infected with the blight. The most important means of spread to localities outside of the range of native chestnut are by chestnut poles and lumber products, and by infected chestnut nursery trees. Owners of chestnut orchards should keep on the watch for the disease and any suspicious specimens will be gladly identified.
There is some disagreement among pathologists as to the practicability of controlling chestnut blight in orchards located outside of the range of native chestnut or in localities within the range of the native growth where the native trees are very scattering, such as in many parts of Ohio.
My personal opinion is that the orchardist thoroughly familiar with the disease who will systematically inspect his trees, properly remove any infection as soon as it becomes visible and who has eliminated the sources of new infection in his neighborhood has a good chance of success. Control of the disease in some orchards is being tried out and I am desirous of getting in touch with other chestnut orchardists who have infected trees.
The chestnut breeding work at Bell, Md., started by Dr. Van Fleet, is being continued. Mr. Reed is looking after points relating to culture, quality of nuts, productions, etc., while I am looking after the hybridization and disease work. The Chinese chestnut seems to be the most resistant to the disease though a number of trees of this species have been killed primarily by the blight.
A number of reports of chestnut blight becoming less virulent have been
investigated but in all cases the reports were incorrect. Professor
Graves is continuing his observations on resistant trees around New York
City.
That, I think, summarizes the chestnut blight situation very well.
I have a letter from Mr. Reed from China; it is a long letter and I will only read from it one or two extracts which tell why he was sent to China:
My task is that of obtaining a summary of the so-called "Manchurian" walnut industry of this country. So many walnuts from here are being delivered in the States each year that our own industry is considerably affected. The extent of production, its present rate of growth and its probable character and magnitude ten years hence are things our own people needed to know. So serious is the situation that Thorp, manager of the California Association left San Francisco for over here more than two months ago to get a short general glimpse, then to go to European points for the same purpose.
The consuls here have reported that no walnuts are grown in Manchuria, except in half wild, low-grade, scattered product which is assembled in small quantities only and probably not exported. The exported nuts are mainly from the provinces of Chihli, Shantung, Shansi and Honan. Tientsin and Hankow are the chief points of export.
* * * * *
Mr. Reed expects to be back about Thanksgiving time. We miss Mr. Reed very much here at the conventions because he is the Government representative of the nut industry. He has a wider general knowledge of the nut industry in the United States than any other man.
In connection with the suggestions that our President has made, I think
I ought to call the attention of the association again to the address of
Dean Watts that he delivered at the convention last year in Lancaster.
(This address, entitled "A National Programme for the Promotion of Nut
Culture," will be found on page 80 of the report of the proceedings at
the twelfth annual meeting.)
I have brought here a cluster of burrs from some chinkapin bushes that have been growing in Elizabeth Park, Hartford, for 23 years. They are loaded with nuts and although attacked by the blight, the fact of their being there so many years shows how resistant they are. I have also some clusters of burrs from chinkapin bushes in my own garden. They bore a full crop the second year from transplanting.
MR. O'CONNOR: Before I forget it, I want to say a word in regard to chinkapins. Right close to where I live there was a fire swept through the place and burned them down to the roots. But they have come up from the roots and are full of chinkapins at the present time; I have seen where the blight has hit them and they died back to the ground and they have shot up new shoots again and are bearing. The chinkapin is a coming nut; the school children are looking for them like I used to look for the butternuts in the early days.
THE PRESIDENT: That is very interesting information, Mr. O'Connor, and I am very glad you have stated it.
THE SECRETARY: Mr. Wycoff of Aurora, N. Y., has brought here a little branch containing two well developed Indiana pecans grown on a grafted tree. I think that is the first instance in which a grafted pecan tree of the Indiana variety has borne in the North. Mr. Snyder says he has fruited a Witte pecan at his place. A number of us have been striving to make the record for first bearing of a grafted "Indiana" pecan tree in the North. Mr. Wycoff has won it.
Mr. O'Connor, I think, has brought with him a number of branches of pecans grown in Maryland.
MR. O'CONNOR: I have some hazels and also some chinkapins.
THE SECRETARY: Have you any pecans fruiting down there this year?
MR. O'CONNOR: Several nights of frost hurt us pretty bad this spring. We have one tree that has got a few pecans on this year; last year the same tree had over a hundred; this year it hasn't got more than a dozen, but it promises to have a heavy crop next year.
THE PRESIDENT: What variety of pecans?
MR. O'CONNOR: If I am not mistaken, it is the Indiana. There are several trees that promise to bear heavily next year. In the spring we had a severe frost for seven nights in succession and that hurt our trees pretty bad. We are in the frost belt down there. Last year we didn't have any apples or peaches; this year we have some apples and some peaches but the grapes were severely hurt by the frost, also there are very few walnuts on the trees this year.
MR. CORSAN: From traveling around as much as I do I can vouch for that gentleman's statement in regard to the frost. I was up in the extreme northern part of the United States, northern New York, and I never saw such a crop of hickory nuts in my life and I have gathered nuts since I am able to remember. I have also seen more peaches up in Ontario and even north of Ontario. When you talk about frost and the South having such an advantage over the North, it is entirely wrong; I have had that idea knocked out of me for a good many years.
THE SECRETARY: I wish also to say that I brought here a small branch from the Hartford pecan tree bearing two nuts. The Hartford pecan tree is undoubtedly the largest pecan tree in the North. It is about ten feet in circumference, over seventy-five feet high and has a very large spread. I will ask Mr. Weber if he will give us the account again of the finding of that black walnut in the river and tell us the result of his investigation.
MR. WEBER: Whenever I come across a black walnut I want to open it up and see what it looks like inside. Following that custom when I found a walnut that had lodged against the dyke north of the central part of the city, I was surprised when I opened it because the partitions were very thin, like an English walnut. Later on I found another similar nut lodged against the dyke of the river about a quarter of a mile along. Then through a statement in the paper and an advertising campaign we tried to locate the tree. Finally we got the name of a man in Floyd, Va., who said he knew of the existence of such a tree, but a few years previously they had cleared the land and it had been cut down. So that finished that. But he gave me the name of the man who had owned the place and said that there were some other trees that had originated there and that they were bearing. It is down in Virginia at the extreme western end and off the railroad and rather hard to get to. I thought possibly on my way home I would get there this trip.
THE SECRETARY: As an example of nut enthusiasm here is the corporation counsel of the city of Cincinnati, who on his walks abroad picks up nuts that he finds and examines them. He finds one on the dyke of the river that he considers remarkable and in conjunction with the president of this association conducts an advertising campaign in the watershed of the river where that nut was found in order to locate the tree, and succeeds eventually in doing so.
Mr. President, here is a communication which I received in July from the Secretary of the American Pomological Society inviting us to become a member. I didn't feel that I had the authority to send him a check for ten dollars, but I would like to put before the association the question as to whether we ought not to make this association a member of the American Pomological Society. I would ask, Mr. President, that you put that matter up for discussion, if you think it is of sufficient importance.
THE PRESIDENT: I do, Mr. Secretary, and think it would materially help in gaining names in our plans for increasing the membership if we were able to say we were a member of that society. What do you suggest relative to the procedure in that connection?
THE SECRETARY: I think all that is necessary is the motion by some member that the treasurer be authorized to take out a membership for the association in the American Pomological Society.
BY A MEMBER: I so move. They will know we are in existence and if we take an interest in their work they will take an interest in ours.
Motion duly seconded and carried.
THE PRESIDENT: Your reference to Mr. Reed reminds me that prior to his receiving orders to go to China, he and Mrs. Reed both had promised to come and make addresses at this convention; Mrs. Reed on the subject of nuts as a food and Mr. Reed with a fine exhibit and also an illustrated lecture. He wrote me quite fully just before going saying he was awfully sorry that he could not be here. With reference to the Secretary's remarks regarding Dean Watts, I had the privilege of meeting Dean Watts last year at Lancaster and I think his ideas are very much along the same line relative to increasing our membership and improving our financial condition so that we can do real things. I had a letter from Mr. Littlepage early in the season and he expected to be here. Then he finally wrote me and said it would be absolutely impossible for him to come but he was sending his able lieutenant, Mr. O'Connor. I was beginning to feel a little worried this morning that perhaps Dr. Morris might not be able to get here but I was very happy a few minutes ago to see the Doctor come in and now I feel considerably more comfortable because he is a great aid and help at these conventions. Is there anything further, Mr. Secretary, that you have in mind?
THE SECRETARY: I just want to call your attention to the exhibits; they really hardly need any one to call attention to them, but I would like to mention especially the exhibits at the two ends of the table. The one at the further end of the table by Mr. Dunbar of the Department of Parks of Rochester is really a very remarkable exhibit, especially from a scientific point of view. (See list of exhibits in appendix.) At this end of the table is a splendid exhibition of filberts grown in Rochester in Mr. McGlennon's filbert nursery under the direction of Mr. Vollertsen; it needs no word of praise from any one, it speaks for itself. Also I call your attention to these three English walnut trees in pots, each one bearing fully developed nuts, which were grown by Mrs. Ellwanger. Last of all I will mention again the cluster of Indiana pecans brought here by Mr. Wycoff of Aurora.
MR. DUNBAR: Dr. Deming didn't tell us about the Chinese chestnuts that are fruiting—the castanea mollissima.
THE SECRETARY: Dr. Morris has had them fruiting for a number of years. I don't know whether any others have or not.
DR. MORRIS: They fruit very well and are a good hardy nut. They are on limestone land.
THE SECRETARY: It is a very interesting nut.
MR. CORSAN: Out of twelve varieties of chestnuts that I planted on my place it is the only one that died. I got them in Washington. I looked after them probably too well. I will try them again to be certain they had no climatic reason for dying. It is very strange that that chestnut didn't grow. Nobody near me grows chestnuts so I can cultivate them for a good many years without any worry about blight.
DR. MORRIS: I doubt if the blight amounts to much with you. It is carried by migrating birds. Some birds will take the blight north and our friends in Canada will finally have it, so cheer up, the worst is yet to come, but it will be a good many years.
MR. CORSAN: The blight has got to the extreme northern part of the chestnut growth, that is, to the top of Lake George. The chestnut doesn't go a quarter of a mile beyond Silver Bay.
DR. MORRIS: I have found chestnut trees in Quebec.
PROFESSOR NIELSON: Speaking of the range of nut trees, I have seen the hazelnut in the Saskatchewan several hundred miles north of the international boundary and at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
THE PRESIDENT: That is very interesting to me for about the time that we started in experimenting with filberts I received a letter from an old friend of mine in Canada, Mr. Edward Kennedy; he stated that he believed the hazelnut or filbert would do very well in the Canadian Northwest. At that time we were in the nursery business and were finding it difficult for our general nursery stock to survive the severe winters in the Canadian Northwest. Mr. Kennedy thought that from his observation of the filbert throughout that country it was the one item in the nurseryman's list that would do very well there.
DR. MORRIS: In that connection I would like to say that I have seen the hazelnut growing as far north as Hudson Bay and it is very hard to distinguish it from the elm. The hazelnuts grow to a height of from twenty to twenty-five feet and the elm comes down to about that height. The leaves look so much alike that I found myself looking for hazelnuts under an elm tree.
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Patterson told me that while fishing on one of the streams near Albany he had found some of the common hazelnuts in fruit. I have sent down to some of my friends at Albany some of our filbert plants to see how they might do there and the reports up to the present time have been altogether favorable. My thought up to the present time has been that perhaps the climate there is a little too hot.
The next item on our program is the report of the treasurer, Mr. Willard
G. Bixby of Baldwin, N. Y.
NORTHERN NUT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION
In Account With
WILLARD G. BIXBY, Treasurer
Receipts:
From annual members, including joint subscription
to American Nut Journal $222.25
From contributing members, including joint
subscription to American Nut Journal 80.00
From contributions 357.50
From advertising in report 5.35
From sale of reports 12.00
From sale of Bulletin No. 5 8.58 $685.68
———
From Life Membership W. L. Linton 50.00
———
$735.68
Deficit September 1, 1922:
Balance Special Hickory Prize $25.00
Balance Life Memberships 95.00
Deficit for regular expenses 176.87
Net deficit 56.87
———
$792.55
Expenditures:
American Nut Journal—their portion of joint
subscription $74.00
1921 Convention 71.46
Printing report 12th meeting 212.19
Printing and stationery 142.82
Nut contest 111.01
Postage and express 5.00 $616.48
———
Deficit October 1, 1921:
Balance Special Hickory Prize $25.00
Balance Life Memberships 45.00
Deficit for regular expenses 246.07
Net deficit 176.07
———
$792.55
The work of the treasurer for the past year has not been satisfactory to him.
The amount of attention he has been able to give it has been much less than he had hoped. While supposed to be retired with nothing to do except just what he wants to this is far from the facts. While it is true that in 1919 he did retire from business, in which he had spent practically all of his time since leaving school, he has never been able to retire entirely and is still president of one corporation and vice-president of two. In the case of one of these the conditions under which it operated have changed so entirely that he has had practically to get back into business and the work of the association has had to be sandwiched in as best it could and at times has had scant attention. Had it not been for Mrs. Bixby's help on the work of the treasurer proper, he would have had to resign.
There is a deficit[1] shown by the treasurer's report although less than that of a year ago. The attempt to induce a rather large proportion of our members to become contributing members, paying $5.00 per year as membership fee, including subscription to the American Nut Journal, has been reasonably successful, about one-quarter of our receipts of membership fees being from this source. The real difficulty, however, is that our total membership is not sufficient to enable receipts from dues to pay expenses. In every year, for a good many years, receipts from contributions have been about equal to those from dues and apparently that condition will have to continue until our membership is doubled, unless the activity of the association is materially reduced, which course seems inadvisable to your treasurer.
[1] This was wiped out at the meeting by contributions and guarantee of new membership which more than equalled the amount of the deficit.
The results of the nut contest the past year have been unsatisfactory. The nut crop was a failure over quite a portion of the country covered by the association. The number of nuts sent in was not over one-tenth of those received in 1920 and no nuts of notable excellence were received. Were it not for the fact that this year promises to be a great year for nuts in the northeastern United States, one might think that the nut contests had outlived their usefulness. They have, however, brought us so many good nuts and are so comparatively inexpensive that your treasurer would not want to give them up yet.
During the past year an earnest effort was made by the treasurer to get new members by getting nurserymen to enclose in their catalogs circulars regarding the association as well as membership application blanks, over $100.00 being expended on this item. The nurserymen on the accredited list responded heartily. The results, however, were far from being as satisfactory as a year ago when the literature sent out by the nurserymen simply called attention to bulletin No. 5. Literature regarding the association and membership application blanks were inserted in bulletin No. 5 and between five and ten per cent. of those who received bulletin No. 5 became members, the number being considerably greater than those from similar efforts this year.
This shows conclusively that direct appeals, unless there is personality behind them, do not have much force. A year ago bulletin No. 5 in the possession of one interested enough to purchase it, supplied the personality and gave force to the appeal that was lacking this year.
Thirty-eight new members have joined the association since the last report, making 561 since organization, of whom we have 249 at present, making 312 who have resigned, or dropped out, or have been removed by death. The additional members obtained this year are largely due to the personal efforts of the president and those in his office.
During the past year we have lost by death our only honorary member, Dr. Walter Van Fleet of the United States Department of Agriculture, and one life member, Col. C. K. Sober of Lewisburg, Penn.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLARD G. BIXBY, Treas.