from the tree later at the common rate of five cents per foot.
Prizes are offered for the following nuts:
1st prize is to be two dollars,
2nd prize is to be one dollar,
and the amount of postage will be returned for all lots of nuts sent
which do not receive prizes.
SHAGBARK OR SCALY BARK HICKORY (_Hicoria Ovata_).
Class A. Large thin shelled nuts.
Class B. Very small thin shelled nuts.
SHELLBARK HICKORY, KING NUT, BIG BUD HICKORY (_H. laciniosa_).
Size is particularly desired with this species, but thinness of shell
counts high.
PECAN (_H. pecan_).
Pecans sent for competition must be native nuts from New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky,
Indiana and Ohio only, as these nuts are desired for northern
horticulture.
OTHER HICKORIES.
Sometimes a tree of various other kinds of hickories will produce a very
desirable nut; consequently first and second prizes are offered for any
hickory nut not belonging to the above three kinds.
BLACK WALNUT (_Juglans nigra_).
Thin shelled black walnuts of good quality are desired.
BUTTERNUT, WHITE WALNUT (_Juglans cinerea_).
Size and thinness of shell are most important.
PERSIAN WALNUT, ENGLISH WALNUT (_Juglans regia_).
American grown varieties the only ones receiving prizes.
ASIATIC WALNUTS (_Juglans cordiformis_, _J. Sieboldi_, _J. Sibirica_).
American grown varieties the only ones receiving prizes.
BEECHNUT.
Size stands first for prize qualifications for Beechnuts.
AMERICAN HAZELS.
Thinness of shell and size are most important.
CHINQUAPIN (_Castanea pumila_).
Size is the most important qualification for this species.
CHESTNUTS.
On account of the rapid spread of the chestnut blight no other kinds of
chestnut besides Chinquapins are desired at present.
FREAK NUTS.
Remarkable freaks of any species of edible nuts may win prizes. For
instance, a black Walnut with meat growing in only one half of each
shell.
R. T. MORRIS, New York City,
President Northern Nut Growers Association.
PRIZES AWARDED IN THE RESULTING COMPETITION.
1. _Hicoria ovata_
Plate II, first prize:
Plate I, second prize: Exhibited by Theron E. Platt, Newtown, Conn.
2. _Hicoria pecan_
Mantura, first prize: W. N. Roper, Petersburg. Va.
Major, second prize: T. P. Littlepage, Union Trust Building,
Washington, D. C.
3. _Hicoria laciniosa_
First and second prizes: C. N. Stem, Sabillasville, Md.
4. _Persian walnut_
Nebo, first prize: J. G. Rush, West Willow, Pa.
Holden, second prize: E. B. Holden, Hilton, N. Y.
5. _Asiatic walnut_
Juglans Sieboldiana, first prize: J. G. Rush, West Willow, Pa.
6. _Chinquapin_
No. 2, first prize: J. G. Rush, West Willow, Pa
No. 1, second prize: J. G. Rush, West Willow, Pa.
7. _Freak nuts_
Hickory No. 4, first prize: Lillie E. Johnson, Gowanda, N. Y.
8. _Butternuts_
First prize: Mrs. Albina Simonds, South Royalton, Vt.
9. _Beechnuts_
First prize: Malcolm Newell, West Wardsboro, Vt.
Second prize: William Davis, Rutland, Vt.
10. _Black walnuts_
First prize: J. J. Robinson, Lamont, Mich.
Second prize: Dorothy McGrew, R.F.D. 6, Box 77, Kent, O.
The prizes awarded in this competition were contributed personally by
the President.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE NOMENCLATURE OF JUGLANS MANDSHURICA AND
THE SHELLBARK HICKORIES.
The following are the questions sent by the secretary and the answers
received:
As there seems to be a difference of opinion as to the identity of
'Juglans mandshurica' will you be so kind as to answer the following
questions for the benefit of the Northern Nut Growers' Association at
their annual meeting at Ithaca, New York, Dec. 14 and 15, 1911.
Q. 1 What type of nut do you consider the "Juglans mandshurica" to be?
J. H. Black, Hightstown, N. J.: Probably a Juglans Regia Manchuria.
T. E Steele, Palmyra, N. J.: No resemblance to Persian walnut but very
similar to butternut, a little longer and thicker than butternut and of
little better quality.
Luther Burbank, Santa Rosa, Cal.: Nigra, or the connecting link between
butternut, eastern black walnut and a trace of Sieboldi especially in
foliage.
H. E. Van Deman, Washington, D. C.: It is almost identical with J.
Sieboldiana.
J. M. Thorburn & Co., 33 Barclay St., N. Y. City.: Our idea of the type
is that it resembles very closely in size, form and color of the shell
the English walnut or Juglans regia, though the shell is thicker and the
quality of the kernel has not the pleasant flavor of the Juglans regia.
Q 2 Does it resemble the Persian walnut or the butternut?
J. S. Black: Persian.
T. E. Steele: (See Q. 1).
Luther Burbank: (Does it resemble the Persian walnut--) _No._ (--or the
butternut?) Very much in nut but less elongated and not pointed. _Very_
thick shell.
H. E. Van Deman: Not similar to either of them.
J. M. Thorburn & Co.: (See Q. 1).
Q. 3 Is it a nut of commercial or other value?
J. S. Black: Yes.
T. E. Steele: I hardly think it a nut of commercial value as the shell
is too thick. I should not consider it much better than the butternut.
Luther Burbank: Hardly unless improved. Meat sweet like butternut.
Juglans Sieboldi var. Cordiformis is the very best of this type, thin
shell, _very_ sweet meats. Both these nuts vary _very_ widely in form.
H. E. Van Deman: Only of value as a shade tree or as a stock from which
to make crosses.
J. M Thorburn and Co.: As far as we know it has no commercial value
here. We sell it only for seed purposes.
Q. 4 How was it introduced into this country?
J. S. Black: By Yokohama Nursery Co. of New York City.
T. E. Steele: I do not know.
Luther Burbank: Some twenty years ago both by myself and the Arnold
Herbarium of Newtown, Mass.
H. E. Van Deman: By nuts from Manchuria, I have always understood.
J. M. Thorburn & Co.: We cannot tell. We purchase direct from Japan.
Q. 5 What are the characteristics of the tree?
J. S. Black: Very similar but hardier than Persian.
T. E. Steele: Very similar in growth to that of the Japan walnut, not
unlike the butternut. In fact many call them butternuts, but Mr. Van
Deman was quite sure they were the Mandshurica when he picked one from
the tree I have in mind.
Luther Burbank: Much like Sieboldi.
Van Deman: Very thrifty and luxuriant with large leaves and large
growth. Bark light colored.
J. M. Thorburn & Co.: It is a broad-headed tree growing about 60 feet
high.
Q. 6 Have you raised them yourself or can you say who has?
J. S. Black: We have raised trees but not the nuts.
T. E. Steele: I have never raised them and know of no one who has.
Luther Burbank: Young trees. My one tree is more spready than other
walnuts, and so far though old does not bear.
Van Deman: No, I have not grown the trees. Think John or Wm. Parry of
Parry, N. J., have them. I have J. Cordiformis.
J. M. Thorburn & Co: We have never raised them ourselves.
Q. 7 Can you send samples or say where they can be obtained?
J. S. Black: We can furnish trees. Get nuts from Yokohama Nursery Co.,
New York City.
T. E. Steele: I know of but one tree near here, and I am mailing you one
nut that I gathered a year or two ago, too long ago to be of any value
except to show the character of the nut. If I can procure another nut or
two of this year's growth I will do so and mail to you.
Luther Burbank: Have no samples but enclose usual form. From half shell.
(Drawings of this, of the surface character of the nut, and of "size and
form of a common sieboldi.")
H. E. Van Deman: Perhaps from the Parrys.
No replies were received from R. E. Smith, of the California
Agricultural Experiment Station, Whittier; from Jackson Dawson, of the
Arnold Arboretum; or from the Yokohama Nursery Co., 31 Barclay St., N.
Y. City.
Summary of Dr. Morris's investigations as given by him on p. 12: The nut
described in the U. S. bulletin as _Juglans mandshurica_ is the one
originally described and named by Maxim more than thirty years ago and
is a nut of the butternut type. A few years ago the Yokohama Nursery
Co., not knowing that this name had been previously applied, gave it to
a nut of the _Juglans regia_ type which they distributed. This nut had
been previously named by De Candolle, _Juglans regia sinensis_.
NOMENCLATURE OF THE SHELLBARK HICKORIES.
The names "shellbark," "shagbark" and "scalybark" are at present used
interchangeably by authors for different species of the hickory. It is
advised that the Association take an arbitrary stand on the nomenclature
and state our choice of the name "shagbark" for _Hicoria ovata_,
"shellbark" for _Hicoria laciniosa_ and "scalybark" for _Hicoria
Carolinae-septentrionalis_.
This should become a matter of official record and eventually clear up
the confusion.
THE HICKORY BARK BORER.
In Country Life in America for October 15, 1911, there appeared an
article entitled "Warning!--The Hickory Bark Borer is With Us" by
Hermann W. Merkel, Forester of the New York Zoological Gardens.
The following circular was issued by E. F. Felt, New York State
Entomologist, under date of Oct. 31, 1911.
DYING HICKORY TREES.
Numerous magnificent hickories have been killed by the pernicious
hickory bark borer in the vicinity of New York city. It has
destroyed thousands of trees in the central part of the State,
while recent investigations show that it is at work in the Hudson
valley near Tivoli and probably is injurious in numerous other
places. The severe droughts of the last two or three years have
undoubtedly been favorable to the development of this pest, since
the vitality of many trees has been lowered and they have thus been
rendered more susceptible to attack by insect enemies.
The preliminary signs of injury, such as wilting leaves and dead
twigs in mid-summer are exceedingly important because they indicate
serious trouble before it has passed the remedial stage.
Examination of injured trees at the present time may show particles
of brown or white sawdust in the crevices of the bark, and in the
case of some a few to many circular holes appearing as though they
had been made by number 8 buckshot. This external evidence should
be supplemented by cutting down to the sapwood. The exposure there
of the longitudinal galleries 1 to 1-1/2 inches long, about 1/8 of
an inch in diameter and with numerous fine, transverse galleries
arising therefrom and gradually spreading out somewhat fan-shaped,
is conclusive evidence as to the identity of this pest. Only a
little experience is necessary before one can recognize the work of
this borer.
The insect passes the winter in oval cells as stout, whitish,
brown-headed grubs about 1/4 of an inch long, the beetles appearing
from the last of June to the last of July. Badly injured trees are
beyond hope and should be cut some time during the winter and the
bark burned before the beetles can emerge; otherwise many will
mature and attack other trees next spring. It is particularly
important to locate the trees which have died wholly or in part the
past summer, because they contain grubs likely to mature and then
be the source of trouble another year. General cooperation in the
cutting out of infested trees and burning of the bark as indicated
above will do much to check this enemy of our hickories.
E. P. PELT.
State Entomologist.
The following "Press Notice" was issued by the U. S. Department of
Agriculture under date of Nov. 15, 1911:--
THE DYING HICKORY TREES,--CAUSE AND REMEDY.
Within the past ten years a large percentage of the hickory trees
have died in various sections throughout the northern tier of
States from Wisconsin to Vermont and southward through the Atlantic
States to central Georgia and to a greater or less extent within
the entire range of natural growth of the various species.
CAUSE.
While there are several and sometimes complicated causes of the
death of the trees, investigations by experts of the Bureau of
Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture, have revealed the fact
that the hickory barkbeetle is by far the most destructive insect
enemy and is therefore, in the majority of cases, the primary cause
of the dying of the trees.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE WORK OF THE BEETLE.
The first evidence of the presence and work of the beetle is the
premature dying or falling of a few of the leaves in July and
August caused by the adult or parent beetles feeding on the bark at
the base of the leaf stem, but this work alone does not kill the
trees.
The next evidence of its destructive work is the dying of part of a
tree or all of one or more trees. If the trees are dying from the
attack of the beetle, an examination of the inner bark and surface
of the wood on the main trunks will reveal curious centipede-like
burrows in the bark and grooved on the surface of the wood. These
are galleries and burrows of the parent beetles and of their broods
of young grubs or larvae. The girdling effect of these galleries is
the real cause of the death of the trees.
HABITS OF THE BEETLES.
The broods of the beetle pass the winter in the bark of the trees
that die during the preceding summer and fall. During the warm days
of March and April these overwintered broods complete their
development to the adult winged form, which during May and June
emerge through small round holes in the bark and fly to the living
trees. They then attack the twigs to feed on the base of the leaves
and tender bark and concentrate in the bark of the trunks and large
branches of some of the living healthy trees and bore through the
bark to excavate their short vertical egg galleries. The eggs are
deposited along the sides of these galleries and the larvae
hatching from them excavate the radiating food burrows which serve
to girdle the tree or branch.
The following recommendations for the successful control of this
beetle are based on investigations, experiments and demonstrations
conducted by the experts on forest insects of the Bureau of
Entomology during the past 10 years.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
1. The best time to conduct the control work is between October 1st
and May 1st, but must be completed before the 1st to middle of May
in order to destroy the broods of the beetle before they begin to
emerge.
2. The hickory trees within an area of several square miles that
died during the summer and fall and those of which part or all of
the tops or large branches died should be located and marked with
white paint or otherwise.
3. Fell the marked dead trees and cut out all dead branches or the
tops of the remaining marked trees which still have sufficient life
to make a new growth of branches.
4. Dispose of all infested trunks and branches in such a manner as
to kill the overwintering broods of the beetles in the bark; (a) by
utilizing the wood for commercial products and burning the refuse;
or (b) utilizing the wood of the trunks and branches for fuel; or
(c) by placing the logs in water and burning the branches and tops;
or (d) by removing the infected bark from the trunks or logs and
burning it with the branches or as fuel.
5. So far as combating the beetle is concerned it is unnecessary
and a waste of time to dispose of trees or branches which have been
dead 12 months or more, because the broods of the destructive
beetle are not to be found in such trees.
6. Spraying the tops or branches or the application of any
substance as a preventive is not to be recommended. Nothing will
save a tree after the main trunk is attacked by large numbers of
this beetle or after the bark and foliage begin to die.
7. The injuries to the twigs by this beetle do not require
treatment.
8. The bark and wood of dying and dead trees are almost invariably
infested with many kinds of bark and wood-boring insects which can
do no harm to living trees. Therefore all efforts should be
concentrated on the disposal of the broods of the hickory
barkbeetle, according to the above recommendations.
In order to insure the protection of the remaining living trees it
is very important that at least a large majority of the dead
infested and partially dead infested trees found within an entire
community of several square miles be disposed of within a single
season to kill the broods of this beetle. Therefore there should be
concerted action by all owners of hickory trees.
On account of the value of the hickory for shade and nuts and for
many commercial wood products it is important that the people of a
community, county or state who are in any manner interested in the
protection of this class of trees, should give encouragement and
support to any concerted or cooperative effort on the part of the
owners towards the proper control of the hickory bark beetle.
The following is an extract from a letter from Dr. Felt to Mr. Merkel:
"Replying to yours of the 11th inst. I would state that Chapter 798 of
the Laws of 1911, a copy of which is enclosed herewith, is, in my
estimation, sufficiently comprehensive to include such an insect as the
hickory bark borer."
"It is certainly extremely unfortunate that trees past hope and infested
by thousands of insects liable to destroy those in the vicinity, should
be left standing through the winter and the pests allowed to mature and
continue their nefarious work, especially as they could be checked at a
comparatively slight expense and by the adoption of measures which
ultimately must be carried out unless the trees are allowed to decay in
the field. I am much interested in the matter."
The following are extracts from a letter from Dr. Felt to the Secretary,
under date of Nov. 21, 1911:
"Your of the 19th is at hand and it gives me pleasure to enclose
herewith a copy of a circular summarizing the hickory bark beetle
situation in this State and suggesting the prompt adoption of remedial
measures. This pest, as you are doubtless aware, is very injurious and
has been responsible for the destruction of thousands of hickories, not
only in the Hudson valley but also during recent years in the central
part of the State. Only a few weeks ago we found a rather bad
infestation in the vicinity of Tivoli. You are doubtless familiar with
my article on this pest, published in Insects Affecting Park and
Woodland Trees, N. Y. State Museum Memoir 8, Volume I, pages 275-79."
At the annual meeting of the Northern Nut Growers' Association, held
December 14th and 15th, 1911, at the New York State College of
Agriculture, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, the following
resolutions were adopted:
"Be it resolved that, in view of the distribution and rapid spread of
the disease known as the "Chestnut Blight," especially among the
American species, we express our hearty approval of the efforts being
made by the federal government, the several state departments, and
especially the action of the Pennsylvania state legislature in
appropriating the sum of $275,000 to aid in studying and combating this
dread disease; and
That we urge the importance of continued efforts along these lines, and
similar action in all other states in which the chestnut species is of
commercial importance, either for timber or nut purposes.
That the secretary be instructed to send a copy of these resolutions to
the Hon. James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture, at Washington, D. C.
and to the Commissioner of Agriculture or the Director of Experiment
Stations of the states within which, according to his judgment, the
chestnut species may be of sufficient importance to justify such action.
Attention is called especially to Farmers' Bulletin No. 467, "The
Control of the Chestnut Bark Disease," Issued Oct. 25th, 1911, by the U.
S. Dept, of Agriculture.
And be it further resolved that, in view of the depredations in various
parts of the country by the "Hickory Bark Beetle," to which attention
has been called by a press notice of the U. S. Department of
Agriculture, by a circular issued by Dr. E. P Pelt, Entomologist of the
State of New York, by an article entitled "Warning;--The Hickory Bark
Borer is with Us," by Herman W. Merkel, Forester of the New York
Zoological Park, published in Country Life in America, Oct. 15th, 1911,
and by an address before the annual meeting of this association by Prof.
Herrick of the New York State College of Agriculture; and
In view of the presence of this destructive insect throughout the
eastern states, and as far south and west as Mississippi and Nebraska;
and
In view of the presumption that its introduction into the pecan area of
the United States would be a calamity; and
In view further of the fact that it has been demonstrated that prompt
action in the destruction of infested trees will prevent further spread
of this pest, and that it is of the utmost importance that such action
should be taken before the emergence of a new brood of this beetle in
the spring of the year;
The Secretary be instructed to present these resolutions to the Hon.
James Wilson, Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C, and to the
Commissioners of Agriculture of New York and other states where the
hickory bark beetle is a menace, urging immediate and energetic measures
against the spread of this dangerous pest which in many localities
threatens the hickory tree with serious destruction."
Jan. 31, 1912.
LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY TO HON. CALVIN J. HUSON.
The Honorable Calvin J. Huson,
Commissioner of Agriculture,
Albany, New York.
Sir:--
I have the honor to transmit herewith the resolutions passed by the
Northern Nut Growers' Association at its annual meeting held at the New
York State College of Agriculture, Ithaca, New York, Dec. 14th and 15th,
1911.
In connection with these resolutions I wish to recall to your attention
the fact that by the Laws of New York, Chap 798, entitled "AN ACT to
amend the agricultural law, in relation to fungous growths and
infectious and contagious diseases affecting trees," which became a law
July 26th, 1911, the Commissioner of Agriculture is given full power to
deal summarily with these and other pests.
The testimony of all those fully acquainted with the facts concerning
the "chestnut bark disease," and the "hickory bark borer" is
unanimously to the effect that they have done such an amount of damage,
and threaten such continued destruction, as to demand that every effort
be made to check their ravages, and that even large expense will be
inconsiderable in comparison with the enormous loss that will be
inflicted if these most destructive pests are not checked.
Attention has been called in the resolutions to the action of the state
of Pennsylvania in appropriating the sum of $275,000 for taking action
in the case of the chestnut bark disease. Since the passage of these
resolutions it is reported that the Governor of the state of
Pennsylvania has called a conference to be held at Harrisburg, February
21st and 22nd, for the purpose of considering further action to be taken
in the case of this disease. It might be well that your office should be
represented at this conference in order that the united action of the
states may be brought about and that our state may not continue to lag
behind in a matter so seriously affecting so many of its inhabitants.
Detailed information concerning both these diseases is contained in the
literature to which reference is made in the resolutions.
May I ask if you will kindly inform me what action, if any, has been
taken by the Commissioner of Agriculture, or other department of the
state government, for the study or the control of either of the diseases
referred to.
REPLY FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE.
Feb. 7, 1912.
I have your communication of the 1st inst., duly received and containing
the resolutions passed by the Northern Nut Growers Association at its
meeting in Ithaca on the 14th and 15th of December last.