thank Mr. C. A. Reed for
originating this plan. He told us we ought to know more about the trees
from which the prize nuts were taken. Our score card aims at a complete
record.

Our second aim is to secure a full time research worker in nut culture
under the Horticultural Department of Ohio. We have the promise of
Director Secrest that he will include in his biennial budget an
appropriation for such a specialist. We have the encouragement of Dr.
Gourley, the head of the department. But both men will expect us to do
our part. Both expect us to speak for our group and our project when the
time comes. We accept that responsibility.

Our group has already contacted the members of the finance committee
that passes on the budget, and we expect to have our representatives
present when the budget is discussed in committee. At present, to be
sure, we cannot furnish or even promise an endowment in money. Sixty Nut
Grower members can scarcely compete with such powerful groups as the
Apple Growers, the Hybrid Corn Breeders, the Poultrymen and others. We
can, however, furnish an endowment of men. Among our members we have
such men as Mr. Davidson, Mr. Shessler, Mr. Cranz, Mr. Smith and Mr.
Weber, along with many others who have done a great deal with nut trees.

A research worker could draw upon their advice, their experience, their
technique. He would have as his assistants men who were actuated by no
mercenary or selfish motives, and would give of their time and trees to
make this dream a reality. Certainly much of the experimental work such
as the crossing of varieties could well be performed on the trees of
individual members.

The need of such an expert is obvious. The job of getting ahead in nut
culture is too big for any one of us. We all know, frequently to our
regret, that nut growing is a slow and at times a discouraging business.
If we are honest with ourselves we have to admit failures again and
again; yet the work is creative and fascinating. We always plan to
eliminate some blunder, to perfect some method, next year.

Sometimes a man has a green thumb, or a magic touch, or whatever it
takes to make grafts grow, or buds take, or hunches to succeed. Such a
man was Mr. Otto Witte, of North Amherst. As a nonagenarian, he was ever
looking ahead to another year with his beloved trees, but he died in his
nineties. Some of his prize trees have been cut down and probably others
will be. What has happened to the experiment