Some formula will have to be worked out for the last, i.e., size of crop
in proportion to the size of tree. Perhaps we might say the crop equals
(pounds of nuts) / (r squared x h) in which "r" would represent the
radius or half the limb spread and "h" the height, measured from the top
to lowest branches.
For example, if a tree that yielded 100 pounds of nuts had a limb spread
of 20 feet and was twenty feet high, it would have a value of 100 / (10
squared x 20) or 1/20. The fraction, of course, could be eliminated if
the number of nuts were substituted for pounds. It is hardly likely that
such a formula would be used for all the trees, probably only in
instances where scores in other respects were close.
The third section of the score card will record the rating of the judges
on the cracking qualities and other characteristics of the nuts
themselves. Any form accepted and approved by the NNGA will be
satisfactory.
We plan to use this system for hickory, butternut and other nut
contests. Without a Mr. Davidson, however, we shall be compelled to
reduce our prizes for the other contests.
I should like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. C. A. Reed for
originating this plan. He told us we ought to know more about the trees
from which the prize nuts were taken. Our score card aims at a complete
record.
Our second aim is to secure a full time research worker in nut culture
under the Horticultural Department of Ohio. We have the promise of
Director Secrest that he will include in his biennial budget an
appropriation for such a specialist. We have the encouragement of Dr.
Gourley, the head of the department. But both men will expect us to do
our part. Both expect us to speak for our group and our project when the
time comes. We accept that responsibility.
Our group has already contacted the members of the finance committee
that passes on the budget, and we expect to have our representatives
present when the budget is discussed in committee. At present, to be
sure, we cannot furnish or even promise an endowment in money. Sixty Nut
Grower members can scarcely compete with such powerful groups as the
Apple Growers, the Hybrid Corn Breeders, the Poultrymen and others. We
can, however, furnish an endowment of men. Among our members we have
such men as Mr. Davidson, Mr. Shessler, Mr. Cranz, Mr. Smith and Mr.
Weber, along with many others who have done a great deal with nut trees.
A research worker could draw upon their advice, their experience, their
technique. He would have as his assistants men who were actuated by no
mercenary or selfish motives, and would give of their time and trees to
make this dream a reality. Certainly much of the experimental work such
as the crossing of varieties could well be performed on the trees of
individual members.
The need of such an expert is obvious. The job of getting ahead in nut
culture is too big for any one of us. We all know, frequently to our
regret, that nut growing is a slow and at times a discouraging business.
If we are honest with ourselves we have to admit failures again and
again; yet the work is creative and fascinating. We always plan to
eliminate some blunder, to perfect some method, next year.
Sometimes a man has a green thumb, or a magic touch, or whatever it
takes to make grafts grow, or buds take, or hunches to succeed. Such a
man was Mr. Otto Witte, of North Amherst. As a nonagenarian, he was ever
looking ahead to another year with his beloved trees, but he died in his
nineties. Some of his prize trees have been cut down and probably others
will be. What has happened to the experiments of 60 years? Another such
man was Mr. Ross Fickes, of Wooster, whose skill in grafting nut trees
was at once our envy and our admiration. When his farm is sold, will the
new owner sense the hand of the master and watch carefully over the
walnuts and hickories, or will he cut them down?
I suppose that death brings an end to many a business, but the nut
business is a new one, and a slow one, too. It is regretted that a life
time of patient care and painstaking research is lost to us and to nut
culture.
True, a nut specialist will not keep death from the door of nut growers,
nor will he save their groves from destruction, but he can keep a record
of each grower's trees. He can plant his trees and lay out his plantings
on state land where there would be more assurance of permanency. Once a
nut department is established there is good reason to suppose that the
work would go on until certain objectives were attained.
Well, what should our specialist specialize in? May I suggest a few
activities? Such a specialist would be the proper person to keep the
score cards of the prize-winning black walnuts, hickories, butternuts
and English (Persian) walnuts of nut contests held in the state. He
would have the time and space for grafting scions from such trees for
further observation and study.
In the second place, he could plant and study other varieties under
identical conditions and observe their performance. By correlating these
data with the records of individual growers he ought to be able to
recommend certain varieties of nut trees for various sections of the
state.
In Ohio, we have chapters of the Izaak Walton League; we have Friends of
the Land; we have sportsmens clubs; we have extensive tracts of
municipal and state land. We have the problem of doing something
constructive with strip mining areas; we have, and will have under
contour farming, little crazy-quilt blocks of land unsuitable for
cultivation. All these agencies and all these needs tie in with the
intelligent use of trees, particularly nut trees, because they serve a
fourfold purpose; lumber, food, erosion control, and a balanced wild
life. Here is where the nut specialist would enter the scene. By
collecting data, by pooling the results of the individual growers, and
especially by selection and breeding, he should be able to recommend the
proper varieties of nut trees for specific needs.
It seems to me, however, that the main job of such a worker should be to
produce a streamlined black walnut, a thin-shelled, good-cracking,
fast-growing walnut.
The black walnut is, indeed, a regal tree. It grows all over the State.
Here is a tree of almost infinite variation. What an opportunity for the
genetic scientist! What an opportunity for the nut specialist!
In connection with the improvement of the black walnut as a nut and
timber tree, the specialist might well investigate the English or
Persian walnut. What about the possibilities of Circassian walnut
lumber? What is to prevent the growers and the specialist from planting
the English walnut for timber? Here in Northern Ohio, English walnut
trees have been cut for timber. There are probably several hundred
English walnut trees scattered through the northern counties of Ohio.
Some of them are from 10 to 18 inches in diameter. A few are second
generation. As these trees seem to be fairly rapid growers it would seem
reasonable that nuts from these hardy trees would grow into valuable
timber, apart from the value of the nuts.
Perhaps all these aspirations and aims seem Utopian. Probably such a
program would keep a dozen workers occupied. In cooperation with the
Forestry Department, however, students might be assigned to study
certain phases of nut culture. A Ph.D. dissertation might well be
written on the variation of the Thomas walnut in Ohio.
In conclusion, the Ohio growers will try to produce better nut trees.
Through prize contests they hope to find what nature has produced.
Through the services of a scientist they hope to find what man can
produce. The two aims dovetail. We are reasonably certain of the prize
contests; we are not yet certain of securing the nut scientist.
Ohio is host to the NNGA this year. May the Ohio growers ask you for
your moral support in this venture? The NNGA is the mother organization.
Through the efforts of the officers, past and present, the association
is in a flourishing condition with prospects of a very bright future.
Whatever we do in Ohio, whatever will be done in other states and
countries will be a monument to the NNGA. The groping years, the hard
years, are behind. The spade work has been done. We want you to feel
that the aims and aspirations of the Ohio growers sprang from your
advice, your experiments and enthusiasm.
I would like to add a final word about the unique advantage we enjoy
here in Ohio. We have the cooperation of a powerful and excellent farm
paper, "The Ohio Farmer." Through its pages our contests get a wide
publicity. Mr. Ray Kelsey has furnished us with 5000 folders announcing
the contest and the purpose behind it. We have the cooperation of the
Experiment Station here at Wooster and its affiliated agencies. Drs.
Secrist and Gourley have been kind, encouraging, helpful. Dr. Oliver
Diller, of the Forestry Department, and Mr. Walter Sherman, of the
Mahoning Farm, have helped and worked with us in a hundred ways. We feel
the NNGA ought to know about this harmonious and whole-hearted team
work.