34 



not over one-tenth of those received in 1920 and no nuts of notable 

 excellence were received. Were it not for the fact that this year 

 promises to be a great year for nuts in the northeastern United 

 States, one might think that the nut contests had outlived their use- 

 fulness. They have, however, brought us so many good nuts and 

 are so comparatively inexpensive that your treasurer would not 

 want to give them up yet. 



During the past year an earnest effort was made by the treas- 

 urer to get new members by getting nurserymen to enclose in their 

 catalogs circulars regarding the association as well as membership 

 application blanks, over $100.00 being expended on this item. The 

 nurserymen on the accredited list responded heartily. The results, 

 however, were far from being as satisfactory as a year ago when the 

 literature sent out by the nurserymen simply called attention to 

 bulletin No. 5. Literature regarding the association and membership 

 application blanks were inserted in bulletin No. 5 and between five 

 and ten per cent, of those who received bulletin No. 5 became mem- 

 bers, the number being considerably greater than those from similar 

 efforts this year. 



This shows conclusively that direct appeals, unless there is per- 

 sonality behind them, do not have much force. A year ago bulletin 

 No. 5 in the possession of one interested enough to purchase it, sup- 

 plied the personality and gave force to the appeal that was lacking 

 this year. 



Thirty-eight new members have joined the association since the 

 last report, making 561 since organization, of whom we have 249 at 

 present, making 312 who have resigned, or dropped out, or have been 

 removed by death. The additional members obtained this year are 

 largely due to the personal efforts of the president and those in his 

 office. 



During the past year we have lost by death our only honorary 

 member, Dr. Walter Van Fleet of the United States Department of 

 Agriculture, and one life member, Col. C. K. Sober of Lewisburg, 

 Penn. 



Respectfully submitted, 



WiLLARD G. BixBY, Tveas. 



The President: I feel that we have got to get busy and get 

 some more members and more money. At nearly every convention 

 a deficit is reported ; it ought to be the other way, and it can be. We 

 will all agree, I believe, those of us who are in the habit of attending 

 these conventions, that they resolve themselves largely into meetings 

 of a mutual admiration society. Outside of Dr. Deming, Mr. Bixby 

 and one or two others, there is very little thought given to this asso- 

 ciation during the year except immediately prior to the convention. 

 Of course, we can't get ahead very far that way. Ever since I have 

 been actively connected with this association I have given first 

 thought to the matter of membership and the improvement of our 



