RETARY: It seems to me that this report is one that will be very
useful to nut growers in the East and very suggestive to beginners in
nut growing. I would like to ask Mr. Reed if he has any comments to make
on the report.

MR. REED: As I know conditions in the Pacific Northwest Mr. Turk has
given an accurate report. The one criticism that I might make would be,
perhaps, that there seems to be a probability of over-enthusiasm. This
often occurs in any part of the country with respect to new things. It
has been most conspicuous with the pecan in the South, and the almond
industry in the West. As the pioneers in the nut industry in Oregon and
Washington are acquiring greater experience they are increasingly more
cautious with regard to such matters as varieties, planting sites,
planting distances, interpollination, and others of kindred nature.

The industry in the Northwest is still comparatively small. It is
centered mainly in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and to some extent in
a narrow strip running north towards Seattle. The best informed are
planting only in fertile, moist, properly drained soils so situated that
air drainage is good. The local soils are much more variable than would
be suggested by casual observation. Also, greater attention is being
paid to air drainage in that part of the country than in the East.
Several years ago there was a sudden drop in temperature from 32 degrees
above to 24 degrees below zero, at McMinnville, Oregon. This proved
fatal to trees and plants of many kinds, particularly those on flat
bottoms or on hillsides from which, for any reason, the cold air was
prevented from blowing to lower levels.

In addition to the species of nuts discussed by Mr. Turk, something
might be said regarding the possibilities of chestnut culture in the
Pacific Northwest. Numerous trees, planted singly or even in small
groups found there, grow so well as to indicate plainly that the genus
is capable of adapting itself to existing environment. However, both
planters and consumers are generally prejudiced against the chestnut.
This is easily explained for the reason that either sufficient numbers
of varieties have not been planted together to ensure interpollination,
or Japanese chestnuts have been planted. Early planters were evidently
not aware that most varieties are largely self-sterile, and they did not
know that the average Japanese chestnuts are fit for consumption only
when cooked. Had these two