ction work with a precocious strain of Japan chestnuts of apparently
pure type has been continued through 4 generations of seedlings after an
initial cross-pollination of two particularly desirable varieties had
been made in 1903. These seedlings show greater range of variation than
the hybrids with chinquapin, but all bear nuts of marketable value in 2
to 4 years from germination. None have been attacked by the Endothia
fungus, though many have constantly been exposed to infection.
Notwithstanding their extreme precocity trees of this Asiatic strain
grow steadily and if thickly planted in favorable localities may in time
produce timber of local value, but it is to the taller growing species
of middle China that we must look for material to replace our vanishing
native forest stands. The preservation in this country of the chestnut
as a nut-bearing tree appears assured in view of the progress already
made and it should not be too much to hope that resistant strains of the
timber type may yet be developed by systematic breeding experiments.

* * * * *

THE PRESIDENT: Inasmuch as the author of the paper is not present to
answer questions, the only thing that may be done is to ask further
contributions of knowledge in the same field. Has anyone any
contribution to make?

MISS LOUISE LITTLEPAGE: I would like to ask how long the chestnut tree
has been able to live with the blight?

DR. METCALF: Do you refer to the Asiatic ones or to the ones that grow
here in America?

MISS LITTLEPAGE: The American.

DR. METCALF: It is almost impossible to answer that question because you
have to define just what you mean by "living." If the chestnut tree is
attacked first or early on the trunk, it is girdled and dies shortly,
but if it is attacked first on the top there develop conditions like
what is shown in this picture (showing photograph). I am not certain
that you can see these bunches of suckers a little way up the tree. Now
those trees will sometimes exist four or five years. I can say safely
that I have seen trees last five years.

DR. MORRIS: I can add three years to that.

THE PRESIDENT: If there is no further discussion, we may adjourn.

* * * * *

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH, AT 8.15 P. M.

Meeting called to order by the President.

THE PRESIDENT: To my mind nut growing is part of a larger field, a field
of conservation, one which is going to develop a whole