20 



PRESIDENTS ADDRESS 



In attempting to make an address before this association at this 

 time, I think I had first better assume the attitude of an old doctor I 

 used to read after on the subject of beekeei^ing. He was looked up 

 to as one of the most scientific and up-to-date beekeepers of his day. 

 When asked a question about some mystery of the bee hive, it was his 

 usual custom to begin his answer by first saying that he did not know 

 and then proceed by giving his experience and observation on tlie point 

 at issue. That was about as near as anyone could get him to commit 

 himself to knowing a thing. I believe this will be the safest precedent 

 for me to follow when speaking of nut growing while here in this Del- 

 Mar-Va territory. 



I believe it was someone, writing under the nom-de-plume of Josh 

 Billings, who once wrote, "What's the use of knowing so much, when so 

 much you know ain't so?" This would have applied quite well a few 

 years ago to our general knowledge of the propagation and planting of 

 nut trees, but we are gradually getting away from these uncertainties, 

 and hope and feel that we have made some really well founded 

 progress. 



Then there is at least one pleasing condition connected with not 

 knowing a thing. It places one in an easy position to change with- 

 out notice. 



There is one item that was developed out of our recent walnut 

 contest about which I want to speak, and that is the Rohwer walnut. 

 As I have been on the ground and have come in personal contact with 

 the person who planted the nut, from which this tree grew, and has 

 owned and cared for it up to the present, I have had a better chance 

 to get more complete information tlian have the members of our com- 

 mittee who conducted the contest, and have perhaps obtained some 

 items in its history not obtained by them. 



When I first heard that an Iowa variety had won second prize, I 

 made up my mind that I should go to see the tree as soon as I could 

 find suitable opportunity, which I arranged to do at the proper time 

 to secure bud sticks for propagation by budding. The Rohwer tree 



