27 



possible on nut culture. Both exhibits attracted a great deal of at- 

 teii'tion and called forth favorable comments from visitors and the 

 press. 



Experimental jilantings of English, .Ja))anese. Ciiinese, and Ameri- 

 can walnuts, filberts and hickories, have been established at the Horti- 

 cultural Experiment Station. Mr. W. J. Strong pollenated about 200 

 black walnut blossoms with pollen of the English walnut. A])])ar(Uitly 

 a good number (approxiniitely 75%) have set fruit. 



A graduate of the Ontario /Vgricultural College, who has become 

 interested in nut culture, ])rocured 2. ()()() black walnut seedlings from 

 the Eorestry Station at St. Williams. These trees were budded, in 

 August last, with local grown English walnuts, l)ut unfortunately 

 only a few buds took. An attem))t will be mule next spring to wlii]) 

 graft the trees that did' not set buds this summer. 



There is a marked increase in the interest in init culture sliown by 

 the public d^uring the past year. This is shown by numerous requests 

 for information and addresses on nut growing and by the public en- 

 dorsement of nut culture by three important horticultural organiza- 

 tions. The Ontario Horticultural Council, the Federal Horticultural 

 Council and the Ontario Horticultural Societies Convention each 

 passed a resolution asking the Dominion De])artnient of Agriculture 

 to appoint a man to investigate the possibilities of nut culture in 

 Canada. No definite action has been tiken as yet, but it is expected 

 that an appointment will me made in the near future. 



We are giving the boys and g'irls of Ontario an opportunity to 

 assist us in our work by hunting for good nut trees, and as an incentive 

 we have offered prizes of $5.00 each for the best specimens of our 

 various native and introduced nut trees. This should bring results, 

 because if there is anyone in this wide world who knows where good 

 nuts are, it is the small boy. 



The work during the past year has generally been encouraging, 

 but like every other line of human endeavor there hive been disappoint- 

 ments. For example, one bushel of Chinese walnuts was stolen, and a 

 number of good specimens of other kinds mysteriously disappeared 

 from my exhibition collection. 



Another disappointing feature has been the apathy, and even 

 hostility, shown by some officials. I do not intend, however, to let 

 these difficulties discourage me in the least, but plan to carry on and 

 preach the gospel of beauty and utility as exemplified in our best 

 nut trees. 



