PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUMMER MEETING. 71 



never have been suggested without it; just as finished pictures are often 



put in rustic frames. Moore, the Irish poet, describing an oriental scene, 



says : 



" Rocks are rough, but smiling there 

 The acacia waves her yellow hair, 

 Lonely and sweet, nor loved the less 

 For flowering in a wilderness." 



After all, every occupation, in some sense, should possess an aspect of 

 disinterested kindness for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. 



When the title to our lands has passed to strangers, in the shade of the 

 trees we have planted many a foot-sore traveler may sit down to rest and 

 bless the benefaction, although he has never heard the name of the bene- 

 factor. Let us in all things adopt the language of the universal prayer: 



" Teach me to feel another's woe, 

 To hide the fault I see; 

 The mercy I to others show, 

 That mercy show to me." 



POSSIBILITIES OF NUT CULTUKE IN MICHIGAN. 



BY MR. W. A. TAYLOR, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Nut culture is of recent development in the United States, Like all 

 new fields of horticultural enterprise, it requires careful investigation 

 before being entered by the cultivator who would avoid disappointment 

 and financial loss. What is its history? What are its limitations and its 

 possibilities? These are the questions that I would briefly discuss, pay- 

 ing particular attention to the needs of the Michigan grower. 



History — Its history in Michigan is chiefly noticeable by its absence. 

 Aside from local tradition and an occasional reference in print to a small 

 chestnut or black walnut grove, it has none. In that admirable and exhaust- 

 ive sketch, " A History of Michigan Horticulture " prepared a few years ago 

 by President Lyon, the references to the culture of edible nuts do not out- 

 number the fingers of one hand. With native beech, shagbark, hazel, but- 

 ternut, and walnut widely distributed throughout the state and the chest- 

 nut growing in a few localities, the pioneer had little need to look else- 

 where than to the neighboring woodland for his family supply. Quantities 

 of wild beechnuts, butternuts, and walnuts were marketed in the earlier days 

 and doubtless are now in some sections. But taking the state as a whole, 

 and especially that portion of it lying south of Port Huron and Grand 

 Eapids, it can safely be said that the day of self-planted nut groves is ended. 

 If the city and village markets, as well as the farmer's table, are to be sup- 

 plied from within the state rather than by purchase from other states or 

 by importation from foreign countries, nut bearing trees must be planted. 



