22 



more ha^e felt it. that it lias not been possible to g-o on with the nut 

 contests and the giving of j^rizes for new and valuable nuts. As there 

 is not likely to be any one else willing to assume the really immense 

 laibor involved in the nut eontests, conducted as Mr. Bixby has con- 

 ducted them, I suppose that all we can do is to hope that circunnstances 

 will sometime again make it jjossible for Mr. Bixby to resume these 

 very valuable services for the development of nut culture in the 

 United States. I say intentionally "the United States," because I be- 

 lieve that these services have benefitted the whole country. This fact 

 makes me the bolder in uttering the daring suggestion that perhaps, 

 now that Mr. Bixby has shown the way, and developed exact methods 

 that may be safely followed, which, if I do not miisapprehend', is what 

 it states that it desires before presuming to take up any new line of 

 work, the Department of Agriculture itself might consider it a matter 

 worthy of its attention. Professor J. A. Neilson, of the less cautious 

 Canadian Department of Agriculture, is rendering very ^alua'ble serv- 

 ices of this kind for the Dominion of Canada. 



There is evidence that several more state agricultural institutions 

 are giving attention to nut growing. (^NJacDaniels, at Ithaca; J. C. 

 Christensen, University of Michigan). 



There is no need of taking your time now to recapitulate tiie many 

 things that ought to be done to promote the planting of nut trees and 

 the scientific investigation of nut growing. Dean Watt's address, 

 pu'blished in the 12th annual rejjort, and the letter of the secretary 

 to state vice-presidents, contain outlines for these things. The at- 

 tention of the ])resent convention is more particularly to be given to 

 advocating mit tree planting on a production basis. 



Regarding the campaign for new members, perhaps the chairman 

 of the committee on membership will make some remarks. The present 

 membership of the association is 337, if we drop no names this year 

 for nonpayment oi' (lues. Of course, those who do not pay their dues 

 should be dro)>ped. Hut the association has never made any ruling 

 as to how long nanies shoiihl be carried on the rolls. The secretary 

 has been easy in sending copies of the annual reports to members in 

 arrears, hoping that the conscience-stricken recipients would hasten 

 to pay up. But there is no proof that such 1ms been the case, and 

 the secretary would recommend making a rule as to when a member 

 is no longer in good standing, when he should be dropped from the 

 rolls, and what members are entitled to copies of the annual report. 

 The secretary would make the suggestion that there be an amendment 



