e when it comes to statements regarding marked success
in any line. The tendency is in each case to try to find the data or the
experience upon which statements are based. Unfortunately, in nut
growing there are very little data upon which statements can be based.
Mr. Bixby's experiments with stocks are a very good start in the right
direction, and it is upon such experiments as he is carrying out that
real knowledge regarding nut growing will be gained.

We have heard enthusiastic statements as to the profits which may be
derived from the planting of nuts in the northern states, but I must
confess that I have looked in vain both for the facts upon which such
statements might be based and also for orchards which actually are
profitable. If such exist in New York state I have not been able to find
them even after considerable travel.

In order to be profitable, an orchard must pay all the expenses
involved, including interest on the initial cost of land; the cost of
labor and materials and depreciation on tools, etc. We have cost
accounts covering these items on many crops such as apples and wheat,
but not on nuts. It seems to me we must recognize that nut culture is in
its experimental stage only. This is in fact one thing that makes it
particularly attractive for the amateur.

Another reason for our conservatism is that we feel it our duty to the
growers to give out statements which are based upon facts only. If a man
in a northern state wants to plant ten acres of nuts what shall we tell
him? Shall we tell him to go ahead and assure him that if he takes care
of his trees a profitable plantation is certain? On the basis of what we
know I think surely not. A hundred and one unanswered questions come up.
What kinds of nuts will succeed under his climatic and soil conditions?
What stocks should be used? What varieties will succeed under his
conditions? Will the meats of the nuts fill out in the average season?
Are the seasons long enough, etc. The fact is in most cases we do not
know. In most parts of New York state we are extending a natural range
of many of the nut trees and they have not been grown long enough under
the new conditions to make it possible to answer these questions with
certainty. On the other hand, we can tell the prospective nut grower
that nut growing is in its experimental stages and under certain
conditions has great commercial promise. On the basis of our present
knowledge we cannot recommend lar