paper, after which the pictures will follow.
PROFESSOR SMITH: I am sure after hearing Colonel Sober's lecture, and
seeing his pictures, we will want to ask him some questions. I know
that Colonel Sober has worked out an unique method in the root system,
and I wish he would tell us about it.
COLONEL SOBER: The slides I have will show that.
THE PRESIDENT: Is there anything else?
MR. DOAN: How does Colonel Sober take care of the blight?
COLONEL SOBER: In answer to that I will say that in 1909 I discovered
the blight on some trees, just a speck, and I took my knife and cut it
off. That is my best method and then you are sure of it.
THE PRESIDENT: Are there any further questions?
MR. DOAN: Are all his trees Paragon?
THE PRESIDENT: I think they are. The Secretary will read Colonel Sober's
paper.
* * * * *
The Secretary here read extracts from the preface and introduction to
Fuller's book on nut culture, prepared by Col. C. K. Sober, with
personal interpellations, as follows:
* * * * *
I believe that the moment is opportune for advocating an effort to
cultivate all kinds of edible and otherwise useful nut-bearing trees and
shrubs adapted to the soil and climate of the United States, thereby
inaugurating a great, permanent and far-reaching industry. We are
spending millions for imported articles of everyday use which might
easily and with large profit be produced at home, and in many instances
the most humiliating part of the transaction is that we send our money
to people who do not purchase any of our productions and almost ignore
us in commercial matters. I am not referring to products ill-adapted to
our climate, nor to those which, owing to scarcity and high price of
labor, we are unable to produce profitably, but to such nuts as the
walnut, hickory, butternut, pecan and chestnut which we can raise as
readily as peaches, apples and pears. There certainly can be no excuse
for the neglect of such nut trees on the score of cost of labor in
propagation and planting, because our streets and highways are lined and
shaded with equally expensive kinds, although they are absolutely
worthless for any other purpose than shade or shelter, yielding nothing
in the way of food for either man or beast. Can any one invent a
reasonable excuse for planting miles and miles of roadside trees of such
kinds as elm, maple, ash, willow, cottonwood and many other similar
kinds, where shellbark hickory, walnut, butternut, pecan and chestnut
would thrive just as well, cost no more, and yet yield bushels of
delicious and highly prized nuts, and this annually or in alternate
years, continuing, and increasing in productiveness for one, two or
more centuries. The nut trees which grow to a large size are just as
well adapted for planting along roadsides, in the open country, as other
kinds that yield nothing in the way of food for either man or beast.
They are also fully as beautiful in form and foliage, and in many
instances far superior to the kinds often selected for such purposes.
The only objection I have heard of as being urged against planting fruit
and nut trees along the highway is that they tempt boys and girls as
well as persons of larger growth to become trespassers. I find this only
applies to where there is such a scarcity that the quantity taken
perceptibly lessens the total crop. But where there is an abundance
either the temptation to trespass disappears or I fail to recognize the
loss. As we cannot very well dispense with the small boy and his sister
I am in favor of providing them bountifully with all the good things
that climate and circumstance will afford.
On my farms in Irish Valley, Northumberland County, Pa., I have planted
a Paragon chestnut tree every forty feet along the public highways and
driveways making a total of 769 trees. These trees range in age from
four to ten years old.
A mile in this country is 5,280 feet, and if chestnut trees are set
forty feet apart, which is allowing sufficient room for them to grow
during an ordinary lifetime, we get 133 trees per mile in a single row.
Two rows may be planted, where the roads are wide enough, one on each
side, and then we get 266 trees per mile. I can estimate the crop when
the chestnut trees are twenty years old at two bushels per tree, or 532
bushels for a double row per mile. At the moderate price of $4 per
bushel, we would realize $2,128 for the crop on a double row, with a
fair assurance that the yield would increase steadily for the next
hundred years or more, while the cost of gathering and marketing the
nuts is no greater, and in many instances much less, than that of the
ordinary grain crops. At the expiration of the first half century one
half of the trees may be removed, if they begin to crowd, and the timber
used for whatever purpose it may best be adapted. The remaining trees
would probably improve, on account of having more room for development.
The chestnut thrives best in light, well drained soil, and those
containing a large proportion of sand or decomposed quartz, slate and
gravel; but it is rarely found, nor does it thrive very well, in heavy
clays or limestone soil where the limestone rock comes near the surface.
It is true that chestnut groves, and sometimes extensive forests, are
found on hills and ridges overlying limestone, but a careful examination
of the soil among the trees will show that it is a drift deposit
containing little or no lime. I find in Pennsylvania the chestnut tree
grows from the banks of the Susquehanna River to the tops of the
mountains.
In planting the chestnut tree it should never be planted any deeper than
it was in the nursery rows. If planted any deeper it is certain death to
the tree, as I find that the earth placed around the trees above where
it was in the nursery rows scalds and destroys the tree. Here is where
the great mistake is made in planting out the chestnut tree, and this I
have found out by practical experience. It is far better to plant it one
inch less than it was in the nursery than to plant it an inch deeper.
There has been a steady increase in the demand for, and a corresponding
advance in the price of all kinds of edible nuts during the past three
or four decades, and this is likely to continue for many years to come,
because consumers are increasing far more rapidly than producers.
Besides, the forests, which have long been the only source of supply of
the native kinds, are rapidly disappearing, while there has not been, as
yet, any special effort to make good the loss by replanting or
otherwise. The dealers in such articles in our larger cities assure me
that the demand for our best kinds of edible nuts is far in excess of
the supply, and yet not one housewife or cook in a thousand in this
country has ever attempted to use nuts of any kind in the preparation of
meats and other dishes for the table, as is so generally practiced in
European and Oriental countries.
The question may be asked if the demand is sufficient to warrant the
planting of the hardy nut trees extensively along our highways or
elsewhere. In answer to such a question it may be said that we not only
consume all of the edible nuts raised in this country, but import
millions of pounds annually of the very kinds which thrive here as well
as in any other part of the world.
Where farmers want a row of trees along the roadside, to be utilized for
line fence posts, they cannot possibly find any kinds better adapted for
this purpose than chestnut, walnut, hickory and pecan. In a few years
they may yield enough to pay the taxes on the entire farm, the crop
increasing in amount and value not only during the lifetime of the
planter, but that of many generations of his descendants.
This appeal to the good sense of our rural population is made in all
sincerity and with the hope that it will be heeded by every man who has
a spark of patriotism in his soul, and who dares show it in his labors
by setting up a few milestones in the form of nut-bearing trees along
the roadsides--if for no other purpose than the present pleasure of
anticipating the gratification such monuments will afford the many who
are certain to pass along these highways years hence.
It is surely not good policy to enrich other nations at the expense of
our own people, as we are now doing in sending millions of dollars
annually to foreign countries in payment for such luxuries as edible
nuts that could be readily and profitably produced at home. There need
be no fear of an overproduction of such things, no matter how many may
engage in their cultivation.[A]
[Footnote A: Note by the secretary: At the time when Fuller wrote his
excellent book, the chestnut blight, as at present known, had not been
observed, although he makes an interesting reference to some disease of
the chestnut, of unknown nature, at one time destructive to the trees in
the Piedmont region. The Northern Nut Growers Association does not
recommend the planting of the chestnut in any region where the chestnut
blight, _Endothia parasitica_, is prevalent. With this exception the
association is heartily in sympathy with the sentiments expressed by the
writer.]
* * * * *
COLONEL VAN DUZEE: I have no questions to ask, but as I am going to be
obliged to leave the session before the close of the lecture, I should
like to express my appreciation of the paper which has been read and
make a remark or two. I am so heartily in sympathy, in this commercial
age, with some of the thoughts expressed there, that it is a pleasure to
listen to a paper which takes into consideration something a little
beyond, and the idea of planting trees by the roadside for the benefit
of humanity, is of too much importance to be overlooked. I could go on
at great length along this line, but as I have not time I just wanted to
express my appreciation before I have to go.
THE PRESIDENT: Has anyone else any suggestions or any general business?
THE SECRETARY: There has been no discussion at all of the filbert, I
think. That is a nut that is possibly going to be of great importance in
the future. I think it was Mr. Doan who asked me about the filbert and
there might be someone here who could give us some information about its
possibilities. Perhaps Mr. Reed could tell us something about it.
[Illustration: C. A. REED
In charge of Nut Culture Investigations, United States Department of
Agriculture]
MR. C. A. REED: Well, I am glad the subject has been brought up but I
would rather listen than try to talk. As Mr. Littlepage made clear in
his paper yesterday, there has been considerable effort in the eastern
states towards the introduction of the filbert, but almost uniformly
such attempts have met with failure. About two weeks ago some of us
visited Dr. Morris's place and while there we were shown some large
European filberts, ten to twelve feet high, bearing heavily. These were
not suffering from the effects of the blight at all so far as we could
see, and they were right in the district where the native northern
filbert is one of the most common of the wild plants. It was quite a
revelation to me to see the native filbert or hazels bearing so heavily.
Everywhere we went we saw low bushy hazels not over two feet from the
ground loaded with immature nuts. I thought there was an opportunity for
some nut enthusiast to canvass that territory, and find the best
individual plants for propagation. The filbert, it seems to me, offers
an unusually inviting field, and unless I am greatly mistaken there is a
great field for exploration. Dr. Deming lives in that same section, and
he tells us that on his farm the hazels are even more common than at Dr.
Morris's place. Dr. Morris agrees with us that there is a fine
opportunity for searching for the best varieties. He has done it and has
found, I believe, one which he thinks is especially fine. I would be
glad to hear from any one else about these nuts.
MR. RIEHL: Mr. President, I have made a little observation of the
European and I don't think it will count for very much. I know of trees
that were planted in one of our experiment stations. I last saw them
three or four years ago and they were twelve or fifteen feet high and
bearing very heavy crops. I saw no disease of any kind but it was in the
city of Alton and I don't suppose there is a native hazel within miles
of it. That may be why they were bearing so well and were exempt from
disease. I haven't seen those trees for the last four years and what has
happened to them I don't know. I intend to go and see what has become of
them.
THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Doan, what is your especial interest in the hazel?
MR. DOAN: I think it offers great possibilities. The different species
that we have tried show that. The fact that it grows freely, even though
certain branches of it have the blight, which does not at once destroy
the whole bush, and the fact that it bears freely and abundantly, I
think are points in its favor. A great many persons couldn't wait eight
or ten years for a nut tree to bear but could wait a much shorter time.
I think this is one good point in favor of the hazels.
THE PRESIDENT: There is no doubt that the hazel offers a very excellent
opportunity for study and investigation. There are many varieties of the
native hazel that are very fine and it seems to me that therein lies a
field of work for this association. There is no information to the
productive nut grower of more value than the facts as to what these nuts
will do, how they can be produced, how quickly they bear, and what they
are worth. We have very little reliable information about the English
walnut. When we listened to Mr. Reed last night we were forced to the
conclusion that as yet we know nothing about it. There are a few
apparently promising English walnut trees throughout the North but there
are many things to be taken into consideration before you can recommend
those for propagation. It seems to me the hazel offers a field of
considerable importance. Has any one else any suggestions to offer?
MR POTTER: This hazel proposition interests almost every member of the
association. It seems to me as if we might get at something more
definite and instructive and I move that the chair appoint a special
committee to investigate the hazel, and report at the next meeting.
A MEMBER: I second the motion.
THE CHAIRMAN: It has been moved and seconded that the chair appoint a
committee of three to investigate the hazel or filbert, and report at
the next meeting. Are you ready for the question?
MR. RIEHL: I hardly think that will do any good. I believe there is a
field where good work can be done but I doubt whether the chair or any
one else is able to appoint a committee that can find out much that will
be of value between now and our next annual meeting. There are so few
superior hazels. I tried for many years to find a native hazel that is
worthy of planting. I have heard of some but have been unable to get
them. I heard of one and had it promised to me but he has forgotten it,
I guess, and I never got it. I know of another that is said to be very
good, but the man that has it won't let anybody have it unless he gets
five hundred dollars, and there is no man willing to pay that on his
say-so that it is a good thing. So we have got nothing to go on for such
committee to make a report on. A much better plan would be for this
association to offer a prize of a certain sum of money to any one who
will report a superior hazel. Let that get in the papers and be talked
of so the boys and girls will hear of it and they will contend for the
twenty-five or fifty dollars. There are no doubt such fine hazels but
the trouble is to find them. I think the best way would be to offer a
reward and let them be brought to us. In that way we can accomplish
something, but to appoint a committee when we have nothing to go on will
do no good.
THE PRESIDENT: There is a great deal in the suggestions of Mr. Riehl. It
has been noticed by all of us in nut culture that the individual opinion
of the man who has seen only his tree or bush is perhaps not worth much.
That is why the data we have on the walnut is unsatisfactory. So much of
it comes from the man who has seen only his tree, and does not know
what a first class bearing tree is like. The same difficulty would
arise, to some extent, in your suggestion, Mr. Riehl, as to offering the
prize. That is perhaps one of the best methods to stimulate interest but
there is this difficulty in the way, that the nuts must be gathered, and
the tree be investigated before it could be properly authenticated. I
have had people tell me they have seen pecans from certain trees, that
long (measuring on finger). There never was a pecan grew in the world
that long. The question before the house is the appointment of this
committee. Is there any further discussion? If not those in favor of it
make it known by rising. (Two.) Those opposed make it known by rising.
(Seven.) The motion is lost. Is there any further business? If not we
will stand adjourned _sine die_.
APPENDIX
THE HISTORY OF THE PERSIAN WALNUT IN PENNSYLVANIA
J. G. RUSH, WEST WILLOW, PENNSYLVANIA
The history of the Persian walnut in Pennsylvania goes back several
hundred years. Seed nuts only were brought here by the early German
settlers, as steam navigation was unknown at that period. From this
mixture of seed from Europe, we have at this time a few varieties worthy
of favorable mention. In this connection I will give you my brief
history or experiences and observation for the last twenty-nine years.
In 1886 I bought two seedling trees from a local nursery regardless of
name or variety at thirty-five cents each. These two trees received
equal treatment in culture for ten years, when the so-called Rush tree
produced two bushels of fine developed nuts. The other tree about forty
feet away has not produced two bushels from the time it was planted to
the present date.
The productiveness of the Rush induced me to think, and to investigate
the great difference in these two trees. I finally found the Rush to be
a simultaneous bloomer whereas the other was just the reverse.
Being a member of the State Horticultural Association I exhibited these
nuts from time to time when finally other members became interested in
nut culture. Mr. John Engle of the Marietta Nurseries advised me to
plant seed from this particular tree and raise seedling trees for sale.
I finally did on a small scale only. But I soon found in the young
seedlings a taint of black walnut blood, which discouraged me for a
further continuance. Later I had correspondence with J. F. Jones, then
of Monticello, Fla., who had specialized in the propagation of all nut
trees. In 1903 scions were sent to him, and returned as budded trees in
1905, and are now a living monument to the memory of the first
propagator of the Rush variety.
The Pennsylvania state nursery inspector first called my attention to
the Hall variety in Erie County, Pa., after which a lively
correspondence followed and sample nuts were exchanged. In 1910 Mr. J.
F. Jones and myself were to see this tree, in order to get its life
history. It was said by Mr. Hall that the tree was planted by the early
German settlers about forty years ago. The Hall variety is very catchy
to the eye on account of its large size. Through the kindness of Mr.
Hall we were allowed to cut a few buds, which are bearing trees now at
West Willow.
The Holden came first to my attention about four years ago in the New
York State Horticultural Association Report, after which a lively
correspondence opened and sample nuts with the Rush were exchanged which
finally led to the propagation of this prospective variety.
The Nebo is a variety the history of which I traced back to about
seventy-five years ago. It was planted by an English iron-master by the
name of McCreary. It is said that he gave lodging to a tree agent,
whereupon he received this tree as compensation.
The Burlington from Burlington, N. J., is of the Alpine type, and is of
great size.
The Lancaster was first called to my attention a year ago. It is said
the tree, not the seed, was brought from Germany. This variety is worthy
of extensive cultivation, is however also of the Alpine type and very
prolific.
In connection with the varieties just mentioned we have also the French
varieties, such as the Mayette, Franquette, Cutleaf, Alpine and
Parisienne. The French varieties are not tried out in respect to their
dependability for the Atlantic coast. They however show hardiness equal
to any other variety grown in Pennsylvania.
As regards the late vegetating habit of some Of these varieties enabling
them to escape late spring frosts, I see no advantage whatever, as Jack
Frost is a privileged character and makes his appearance regardless of
time or place.
With the limited efforts I have made thus far in the dissemination of
the Persian walnut, I am absolutely confident that the work has just
commenced. There will yet be varieties discovered which will compare
favorably and may surpass those we have already listed. The best
territory to work in I find is the German settlements. They always were
noted for their seed distributions in the early history of Pennsylvania.
In justice to these frugal people, the Persian walnut should be called
The Dutch nut. But the English were the great importers of these nuts
and hence the name English walnut. The Germans today as they visit their
Fatherland invariably bring a few nuts or trees with them, which keeps
up the supply. Of course not all these seedling trees are true to the
variety desired. But they say they come from the Homeland, which gives
them great contentment.
In the dissemination of these interesting nut-bearing trees I am safe in
saying I have visited hundreds of them and mostly single trees of very
little importance. The principal complaint is that when the nuts are as
large as grapes they drop off from some unknown cause. This is all for
the want of proper cross pollenization. The public in general is now
getting educated to the importance of planting grafted or budded
varieties of known merit, which is attested by the large plantings of
the last several years.
My limited experience with grafting large nut trees is that it is not
practicable, from the fact that the lower limbs outgrow the grafted ones
and eventually smother them and cause them to die out, leaving the tree
in a disfigured condition. The better way is to plant several trees of a
good pollenizing variety near one another to get best results in
bearing.
In this brief history of the nut industry of Pennsylvania and adjacent
states, I have said nothing in regard to propagation and culture,
knowing that some one else will take up that subject in detail.
Horace Greeley in his prime of life said: "Young man, go west."
The Northern Nut Growers Association says: "Young man, plant a nut
tree."
A COMPARISON OF NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN CONDITIONS IN THE PROPAGATION OF
NUT TREES
J. F. JONES, LANCASTER, PA.
I shall not try to cover the whole subject of propagation or describe
methods of budding and grafting, as these will be covered by others and
we are to have demonstrations of budding and grafting, which are far
ahead of any descriptions that can be given. I will try to compare
conditions in the North and South and give some of my experience with
the problems that have confronted us.
We have been able to get very satisfactory results with the pecan,
either by budding or grafting, under northern conditions. With good
scions and good stocks we have been able to get nearly, if not quite, as
good results in Pennsylvania as we were able to get in Florida or
Louisiana. The growth of the tree is also quite satisfactory. From
dormant buds on good stocks we are able to get a growth of four to six
feet the first year in the nursery and six to seven feet is not unusual.
The growth is also quite stocky and altogether very satisfactory. Any of
the methods of propagation as practiced on the pecan in the South are
successful in the North, but budding by the patch method has given us
the best results. Grafting is quite successful so far as the live or
stand is concerned, but, on account of our shorter growing season, the
growth is not nearly so satisfactory as that of the dormant bud which,
being set the previous summer, is ready to start quickly into growth in
the spring and gets the full benefit of our shorter growing season.