on and experiment a very practical
application to orchard purposes of what has been learned. The sooner
northern nut trees come into bearing in grove form the sooner will
general interest in nut culture increase. I would urge constant effort
in that direction; even, if need be, to the exclusion of some of the
further study on varieties.

There are now grown in northern nut tree nurseries approved by this
association named varieties of pecans, Persian walnuts, black walnuts,
hickories and some other nuts amply sufficient to start orchards. The
pecan growers of the southern states selected and experimented and
discussed for a time--and then they planted. Mistakes were made, but
these were discovered quicker by grove planting. Now they are shipping
improved varieties of pecans by the carload, at $12,000 per car.
Naturally interest in pecan culture in the South is widespread. With
bearing orchards of nut trees in the northern states, similar interest
will be manifested; and then we shall all see the real progress which
comes of producing commercial results. Has not the time arrived to put
into practical operation what has been learned in the last eight years?
I believe this association could wisely consider the policy of confining
discussion in the open session of its annual meetings to topics relating
to behavior of varieties in orchard form and commercial cultural
methods--at least to the handling of the planted tree by the public,
whether isolated or in orchard rows--and reserve for executive sessions
the discussion of varieties and methods not yet at a stage for formal
endorsement by the association. It seems to me that any other policy
obscures the issue which, I take it, is to foster the extension of nut
culture. How can nut culture be practically extended if the public is
constantly confronted with features of the experimental stage? Persons
mildly interested in nut culture, as the result, perhaps, of association
propaganda, drift into our meetings or make ad interim inquiry and
receive for membership enrollment, or otherwise, printed matter relating
almost wholly to experimentation in nut work. No wonder their interest
wanes a short time afterward and many of them are not heard from again.
What most of them expected was information as to varieties of improved
nut trees available, where to get them and how to treat them when
planted. Discussion by the experts is not for them; they will reap the
result of that in due