This variety was first catalogued in 1941 by Carroll D. Bush, then a
nurseryman at Eagle Creek, Oregon. Of the very few trees of this variety
sold by him, one went to Mr. Fayette Etter, Lemasters, Penna., with whom
it early became a favorite among 7 or 8 he had under test. During 1945,
he sent a quantity of Abundance chestnuts to Dr. J. Russell Smith,
Swarthmore, Penna., who in turn forwarded 12 specimens to the Plant
Industry Station. These arrived October 11 and were immediately placed
in a refrigerator. On October 22, they averaged 50 to the pound and
ranged from 38 to 76. The appearance was very attractive as the color
was a rich brown and there was very little down over the surface. The
cleaning quality was also very good and the flavor excellent.
The Abundance has attracted considerable attention and, while it does
not appear to be listed in any nursery catalogue, a number of leading
growers are using it in top working seedling trees and it may soon be
available through regular nursery channels.