with diseased trees of some sort, many of you with very serious
diseases, and some of you I know have had a wide experience with the
chestnut blight, so you can draw your own conclusions as to the
significance of the facts that I have stated.
As to the state laws for transporting material from one state to another
I am not posted, but I believe that we can be advised by writing to the
government at Washington.
DR. MORRIS: We do not know whether the Washington government will
sterilize those scions and send them out for us, but there should be
some way of sending from one state to another.[B]
It seems to me that in all probability, the vital energy of the
protoplasm of the endothia is diminishing. Quality, flavor, or anything
you please, is bound up with certain vitality, and that diminishes and
finally will cease. That is the reason for the endothia growing less
now.
PROF. COLLINS: My point was perhaps not exactly that. I meant that the
result is that, with the average cases, we are now getting chestnuts not
so quickly destroyed. The explanation may be exactly what you have
stated.
DR. MORRIS: There are two factors to be considered. First, the running
down of the vital energy of the protoplasm; and second, in the factors
which affect the vital energy of the plant.
PROF. COLLINS: In the paper I have just read there was mentioned the
apparent number of trees in various parts of the country which are very
slowly dying from the blight, and some which have resisted it entirely,
so far; but that was not the point I desired to emphasize. There are
some around New York City which are still growing, and Dr. Graves could
tell us of this.
MR. O'CONNOR: Would it be desirable to take out an old tree where there
are new sprouts? One tree on Mr. Littlepage's place in Maryland has a
number of sprouts coming up. I suggested that if we could get people
together and clean the woods up we could dig up the old trees and only
leave the blight-resistant ones.
PROF. COLLINS: That is near Bell Station where we do our experimental
work. We found one place infected. I cleaned it out and we have not seen
anything of the disease since.
MR. BIXBY: Some five or six years ago I sent a number of chestnuts to
Warren, New Hampshire, which is outside of the blight district. I did
not know then much about the blight. They grew for several years and it
was not until one year ago that the trees were found with blight. I got
the party to cut them down. How long must I wait before it is safe to
send other trees there? I believe they will grow there and bear, but we
do not want to get them affected with the blight.
PROF. COLLINS: I do not know that anybody could answer that. Apparently
we have waited 20 years and are still unsafe. It is a case of
experimentation.
MR. KAINS: As to the hybrids of Dr. Van Fleet and Dr. Morris, in the
spring of 1923 I planted 10 and there are only four alive now. They were
affected by blight and killed. They were rather large trees when
planted, and I think for that reason more susceptible. We had the idea
from the nursery that they would be more likely to withstand the disease
than would the American sweet chestnut. Have you any reports as to the
way these hybrids behave?
MR. REED: As to Dr. Van Fleet's hybrids, so far as we know they are all
going with the blight. The collection in Washington is practically gone.
We are still caring for them and doing what we can but the prospect is
not at all good. We get reports of these distributed around the country,
but in no case have we had a report indicating that the Van Fleet
hybrids were at all resistant.
[Footnote A: Note--"Blight-resisting" as used in this paper should be
interpreted as a slower death of the host than in former years, whether
or not the result of increased resistance to the parasite on the part of
the host, or to decreased virulence of the parasite, or to both factors
combined.]
[Footnote B: Decision From the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
Washington, D. C.
In a letter of later date, addressed to Mr. C. A. Reed, Dr. B. T.
Galloway, of the U. S. Dept. of Agr., wrote regarding the matter of
distributing Merribrooke chestnut scions, as follows:
"I have talked with Mr. Stevenson, of the Federal Horticultural Board,
regarding this matter, and he says that, while there is no federal
quarantine covering the chestnuts, as a matter of policy we have not
been letting any chestnuts or scions go through our hands into the
non-blight regions. Mr. Stevenson says that Dr. Morris himself might be
able to carry out the plan he suggests by dealing direct with some of
the state institutions in non-blight regions, selecting states that have
no quarantine against chestnuts."]
PROF. COLLINS: I will now read my paper on
PROTECTION OF WOUNDS IN NUT TREES
I have been asked to discuss briefly the handling of wood decay in
top-worked nut trees. I am not sure that I know very much about the
latest methods employed in this type of work. Personally I have had no
practical experience with it. I understand, however, that nut trees are
top-worked by cutting off limbs and inserting one or more scions. I am
informed that limbs as large as six inches or more in diameter have
been cut for this purpose, particularly on pecan trees in the South, and
that decay has started at the top of these stubs after the scions have
become established, resulting in a pocket of decay. I assume that it is
about such places as these that you want me to say something. Such
conditions, whatever their origin, call for straight tree surgery
methods. My work on tree surgery has been almost entirely with shade
trees and chestnuts, and only to a very limited extent on other nut
trees.
The general methods of handling decay are essentially the same on all
trees, as also are the fundamental principles underlying the same,
whether on nut or shade trees. I must admit I do not know just what
methods are being employed by nut growers at the present time to
counteract such decay in top-worked trees, so my suggestions may include
nothing with which you are unfamiliar. Again, they may include some
methods that you have already tried and found wanting so far as nut
trees are concerned.
As a _prevention_ of decay my suggestions, based on my own shade tree
experience, would be:
(1) Avoid cutting large limbs when smaller ones are available and will
serve the purpose just as well or better.
(2) Keep the scars thoroughly and continuously covered with some good
waterproof and antiseptic material so as to prevent infection of any
part of the cut surfaces.
(3) Always make the cut somewhat slanting so that rain water will
readily run off, and insert the scions preferably at the upper extremity
of the cut. Such an oblique cut normally heals quicker and better on
shade trees than a transverse cut, particularly if a vigorous young
sprout is left at the peak of the cut. I am quite certain the same
statement will hold true with scions of nut trees placed at the peak of
the oblique cut.
After decay _has started_, I would suggest--
(1) Cut out all the decayed woody matter, preferably from one side, so
that a free and easy drainage of the wound may result. If necessary,
when several scions have been placed around the stub, sacrifice one of
the grafts and make a rather long oblique cut or groove from which all
decayed matter has been removed. Use shellac, liquid grafting wax or
melted paraffine over the cut bark, cambium and adjoining sapwood
immediately after the final cut is made.
(2) Cover the entire wound with some good preparation to keep out
disease germs and water. Preferably use for a covering such materials as
will be more or less permanent and which have been found by practical
experience to be least injurious and most effective on the particular
nut tree that you are treating.
(3) Keep the wound thoroughly painted or covered at all times until it
is completely sealed over by a new growth of callus.
(4) If the top-working was originally done in such a manner that the
removal of all the decay results in a cavity that cannot be properly
drained, it is advisable to fill the cavity with some waterproofing and
antiseptic material in order to prevent it holding water and also to
assist the cambium in covering the wound. The cavity must first be
treated in accordance with approved tree surgery practices. In shade
tree work, quite a variety of substances have been used to fill cavities
with more or less success; e. g., wood blocks and strips, asphalt and
sawdust, asphalt and sand, clear coal tar, clear asphalt, elastic
cement, magnesian cement, Roman (or Portland) cement, etc. Of these only
two--wooden blocks and Portland cement, have been in general use more
than a few years. Blocks of wood were used in France to fill cavities
more than 60 years ago, and in this country to some extent about 50
years ago. Later, Portland cement was used in preference to wood for
fillings, probably mainly because it was more easily handled. To us of
the present generation, Portland cement in combination with sand is the
one material that seems to have been in general use sufficiently long to
allow us to draw any seemingly reliable conclusion as to its real
merits.
For the personal use of the average orchardist, Portland cement is one
of the last in the list mentioned above that I would recommend.
According to a few reports that have reached me, wooden blocks and tar
proved to be fairly satisfactory half a century ago, and strips of wood
embedded in some flexible and antiseptic material, are proving very
satisfactory today. An excellent preparation to use between the strips
of wood, containing asphalt and asbestos, can be readily bought on the
market, and it has the advantage of being mixed ready for use. For
cavities with horizontal openings that will hold semi-fluid substances,
clear asphalt or gas-house (coal) tar may answer all purposes. For
cavities with oblique or vertical openings, or for those on the
underside of a limb, probably some of the magnesian cements, which
readily adhere to wood, will be found more satisfactory when properly
mixed and applied.
Although I have said more about filling cavities than of other phases of
the work, I do not wish the impression to go forth that I recommend such
work except as a last resort, so to speak. The one thing that I do most
emphatically recommend above all others is the prevention of decay so
far as possible by practices that are less likely to allow
decay-producing organisms to gain entrance in the first place, or at any
other time.
THE PRESIDENT: Does anyone care to discuss this paper?
MR. KAINS: Mr. President: During the last five years, I have planted
several hundred nut trees, including the English walnut, black walnut,
the heartnut, pecan (northern ones) and some hybrid hickories. I have
noticed that in this nursery stock there has been a good deal of
dying-out of the original stock where the trees had been grafted, and
where the scion had not covered over. In some of those cases decay has
set in, and the trees have died before they could be attended to or have
been broken down by the wind. The point is, I think it a mistake for
nurserymen to use as large stocks as they have been using in many of
these cases, because the stump of the stock is too large for the slowly
growing scions to cover over quickly enough. My experience in the
planting of fruit trees has been uniformly successful with smaller
stocks (that is, trees smaller than I have been able to buy for nut
trees) with peaches one year from the bud and with apples not more than
two years; with berries and stone fruits, not more than two years. In
every case, with the fruit trees, one year stocks have given me better
results. First, because they healed over more quickly, and second,
because I could cut to better advantage in the trees. In no case have I
been able to get nut trees as small as I can apples and peaches. I
believe that with the smaller trees amateurs will have better success. I
bring this matter to the attention of those men who are devoting their
lives to the propagation of nut trees.
THE SECRETARY: The subject of transplanting nut trees was treated fully
by Mr. Bixby in his paper this morning and will be treated by Mr. Hicks
this afternoon in his address on the subject. Mr. Hicks will give a
lecture, illustrated with slides, showing how the larger nut trees may
be successfully transplanted.
DR. MORRIS: Mr. Kains' thought was that there was a good deal of
difficulty from using stocks that were too large. Paraffine will keep
them safe from microbes.
MR. KAINS: We had difficulty from the drying of the scions.
DR. MORRIS: I find that if raw pine gum is put in it prevents the
paraffine from cracking.
MR. O'CONNOR: In regard to wounds on the trees I find that creosote
makes a very good antiseptic. I use coal tar and creosote, mixed to a
consistency of cream. I have used Portland cement but I treated with
creosote first. In some cases I used bichloride of mercury.
MR. REED: It seems to be the experience in the South that, so far as the
amateur is concerned, he gets better results with the pecans by planting
trees of from three to five feet. Trees smaller than that are regarded
as dwarfed; but the man who is in a position to exercise greater care
could get quicker results from buying the large-sized trees. Yet it
requires more care in transplanting, more fertilizer, and more
attention.
MR. REED: I wish to make the motion that the chair name a nominating
committee at this time.
THE PRESIDENT: Is that agreed? All right; then I name Mr. O'Connor for
chairman, Mr. Reed, Mr. Olcott, Mr. Bartlett and Mr. Hershey on the
committee. Are those names acceptable? (Vote shows unanimous
acceptance).
THE PRESIDENT: The convention will adjourn until two o'clock.
FIRST DAY--AFTERNOON SESSION
Meeting called to order by the President.
THE SECRETARY: I will read a communication from Mr. Snyder, of Center
Point, Iowa. But first I would like to explain that when the President
in mentioning the Horticultural Exposition at Waterloo, spoke of a
sweepstakes cup from a member of the N. N. G. A. for the greatest number
of points won in the nut exhibition of which Mr. Snyder has charge he
did not state that he himself was the member who gave the cup.
A HARANGUE ON THE NUT SITUATION IN IOWA
_By S. W. Snyder, Iowa_
Previous to the organization of the Mid-West Horticultural Exposition
the Iowa State Horticultural Society had given but little attention to
the nut question. But along with the exposition came a demand for a nut
department, which resulted in the writer being appointed superintendent
and given authority to prepare a limited premium list.
This resulted in bringing out a number of new and unnamed varieties of
nuts and created some enthusiasm. When it came time to prepare for the
second exposition, authority was given to greatly increase the premium
list, which resulted in bringing out more new varieties and created a
wonderful lot of enthusiasm.
When it came time to prepare for the third exposition a list was adopted
calling for $138.00 in cash premiums, which resulted in bringing out
such a large exhibit of choice nuts that when we came to make
preparation for the fourth exposition the premium list was increased to
a total of $181.50. This brought out so many fine nuts that it became a
common thing to hear the remark, among the visitors that it was the most
important department in the exposition.
For the coming exposition, to be held next November, the premium list as
adopted calls for $280.00 in cash premiums, and while I am no prophet I
am going to predict that it will result in bringing together the largest
nut exhibit ever collected under one roof in the United States.
At our last exposition held in Council Bluffs, some of the directors of
our state fair observed that the nut department was attracting much
attention and was bringing a good many visitors to the exposition. They
decided that they must have a nut premium list for the state fair and
requested me to make up a list covering the nut subject as strictly
applied to the State of Iowa. This I did and am attaching the list
hereto. Although our state fair comes off in the month of August, and no
nuts are available for exhibit, except such as happen to be kept over
from the previous year's crop, yet it brought out at our 1923 fair the
largest and best exhibit of nuts that has ever been shown within this
state, not excepting the exhibits of the exposition. The board of
directors were so well pleased with the interest manifested in the nut
department that they are continuing the list for this year's fair and
doubtless it will become a permanent feature of future fairs of this
state.
So much publicity and attention has been given the nut question within
our state that it has resulted in bringing to light several new
varieties that we think should be propagated before the original trees
may have been destroyed.
The horticultural department of our Iowa State Agricultural College is
now taking an active interest in the nut question and has assigned one
of the professors to the job of collecting information about and taking
pictures of, the best known nut trees within the state.
If they follow up the nut subject with as much vim and energy as they
have other phases of horticulture we may look for something in the nut
line in the next few years that will be worth while.
The native nut situation might well be summed up by saying that we have
so many good walnuts, butternuts, hazels, pecans, hickories, and hybrids
of the two last named species, that we could banish all foreigners and
still have plenty left to supply every need.
The crop of nuts for this season is fairly good; some trees have none,
others a light crop, and some varieties are carrying a heavy load.
Of introduced nuts some are proving to be hardy and fruitful, but in my
judgment they are all lacking in eating quality as compared with our own
native nuts, unless I should except the filbert which has not yet proven
that it will bear profitable crops in this climate.
In closing I want to give just one instance of the great interest that
has been aroused for nut growing within this state.
A certain little city of less than two thousand inhabitants happens to
own thirty acres of land that is suitable for the growth of timber. The
citizens propose to plant the entire tract to nut bearing trees and
bushes, and eventually make it a free park in which the children of the
village may be turned loose to gather the nuts.
Just imagine, if you can, how the enthusiasm of the boys who may be
fortunate enough to live in that little city, will more than bubble over
as the nut gathering season approaches. I hope to be able to assist
those people in their laudible enterprise and wish I may live to see it
develop into the greatest thing of its kind in the United States.
THE PRESIDENT: Dr. Brooks, will you kindly give the Vice-President's
report from West Virginia, preceding your paper?
DR. BROOKS: I have no special report to give as Vice-President of the
association from West Virginia. I might say, perhaps, that the West
Virginia station is in a land of hills and dales. Our latitude is from
200 to 5,000 feet above the level of the sea, and our average elevation
is 1,500 feet. From our excellent position we can look down 600 feet or
so upon the Ohio. Our land contains many species of trees, including nut
trees. Among these there is one species of beech, two of hazel, two of
chestnut, six of hickory, two of walnuts and fifteen of oaks.
Fortunately, the chestnut blight has not swept the entire state. The
chestnut has been in the past and is still our most popular tree. There
are areas where tons of chestnuts are still put on the market every
year. The people are still thinking more and more of some plant that
might take its place; they are considering the shagbark hickory and the
black walnut. I predict that in the future there will be more planting
of hazel nuts, black walnuts and shagbark hickories in this state. The
prospect there is promising.
SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT INSECTS ATTACKING NORTHERN NUTS
_By Fred E. Brooks_
_Associate Entomologist U. S. Department of Agriculture_
The prevalence of insect pests need not be regarded as an alarming
obstacle to nut growing in the North, and yet there are numerous species
of insects which are capable of destroying our nut crops. On the whole I
presume there are fewer insects that attack nuts in this country than
commonly attack apples, but apple growers are not limited in planting
nor prevented from making profits on account of insect depredations.
Neither should the probability of more or less insect injury discourage
the would-be planter of nut trees.
The presence of an insect in any locality may mean, among other
considerations, that the soil, and climatic conditions of that locality
are favorable to the plant upon which the insect feeds. We may be sure
that wherever the Baltimore butterfly is abundant, nearby is a congenial
spot where the turtle's-head, the food plant of the butterfly,
flourishes. Just so, in localities where there are many chestnut weevils
we may expect to find chestnut trees thriving and fruiting generously.
The same is true of the associations of many other insects and plants.
Theoretically speaking, one would not care to risk the expenditure of
much time or money in propagating a plant in a region that was destitute
of insects that might attack that plant. The absence of such insects
would possibly indicate a lack of natural conditions favoring the growth
of the plant in question. Thus the presence in any locality of insects
that feed on nuts may mean that nuts thrive naturally in that locality
and that insects are there because of the abundance of a favorite food.
May I hasten to add, however, that this fact should not lead to an
under-estimation of the possibilities of insect destructiveness, nor
encourage lax methods in dealing with injurious species. In the
beginning of any nut-growing enterprise we should anticipate the coming
of insect pests and be ready to meet them. The planting of pure stands
of native nut trees sets up a condition under which insects coming from
the forest may increase more safely and rapidly than under the more
hazardous environment of a scattered forest growth. This applies to
cultivated plants generally. It is true of an orange grove, a cornfield
or a potato patch. The mass planting of any crop is quite sure to call
sooner or later for measures to offset the stimulus which such plantings
offer to insect increase.