time.

Now, the extent of the hardy nut tree nursery industry is directly
dependent upon all this. If that extent is not yet great, it is due
undoubtedly to the newness of the industry. But it is also due in part
to conditions which have been referred to. I wish especially for the
purposes of this address that this association were an incorporated body
so that I could speak of it as such and not seem to be criticising
individuals. What has been done by our officers and members has been
very necessary. It is of the future that I speak.

Nut brokers, wholesale grocers and manufacturers of confectionery are
calling for crop and market reports of nuts. A letter from a large
commission house in San Francisco, importers and exporters, says that
what is wanted is information as to growing crops of nuts and market
conditions. Other brokers and dealers ask the same thing. The _American
Nut Journal_ has given crop and market conditions of southern pecans and
California walnuts and almonds; and, in peace times, of foreign nut
crops. What else is there to give? The native nut crop? But that
concerns this association about as much as the blueberry and huckleberry
crops of the Michigan and Minnesota barrens concerns the horticultural
societies and the National Apple Growers. What the brokers, wholesale
grocers and commission merchants want is crop and market reports on
cultivated nuts. But where are they? The public and the middlemen are
calling for nuts. And these people write that they are not interested in
cultural methods.

The hardy nut tree nursery business is what it is and will be what it
will be just in proportion to the character of the crop and the market
report. Interest in nut culture generally will lag or increase in just
the same ratio. This is the eighth annual convention of this
association. Will the sixteenth annual meeting see a greatly augmented
membership without a practical incentive?

I have said that this association has recommended to some extent the
planting of nut trees--the named varieties. I believe that what is
needed is a publicity campaign bearing upon the planting of the
varieties now on the market. When other varieties come on they may
receive proper attention. Native nuts are in great demand. The varieties
considered by this association are the best of the natives. Is that not
sufficient basis to proceed on? Has not this association officially
endorsed the varieties grown by the nut tree nursery