23 



as the other and just as soon. After losing twenty to thirty thousand 

 dollars in delayed returns from a seedling walnut orchard, is it any 

 wonder that I oppose the planting of more seedlings by the unwary? 



In concluding this report I wish to state that I have talked) nuts 

 before a score of different meetings during the last year, and in the 

 press of Oregon and Washington have done much to encourage the 

 prospective grower." 



The Secretary: It seems to me that this report is one that will be 

 very useful to nut growers in the East and very suggestive to begin- 

 ners in nut growing. I would like to ask Mr. Reed if he has any com- 

 ments to make on the report. 



Mr. Reed: As I know conditions in the Pacific Northwest Mr. 

 Turk has given an accurate report. The one criticism that I might 

 make would be. perhaps, that there seems to be a probability of 

 over-enthusiasm. This often occurs in any part of the country with 

 respect to new things. It has been most conspicuous with the pecan in 

 the South, and the almond industry in the West. As the pioneers in 

 the nut industry in Oregon and Washington are acquiring greater 

 experience they are increasingly more cautious with regard to such 

 matters as varieties, planting sites, planting distances, interpollina- 

 tion, and others of kindred nature. 



The industry in the Northwest is still comparatively small. It is 

 centered mainly in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and to some ex- 

 tent in a narrow strip running north towards Seattle. The best in- 

 formed are planting only in fertile, moist, properly draijied soils so 

 situated that air drainage is good. The local soils art- nnich more var- 

 iable than would be suggested by casual observation. Also, greater 

 attention is being paid to air drainage in that i)art of the country 

 than in the East. Several years ago there was a sudden drop in temp- 

 erature from 32 degrees above to 24- degrees below zero, at McMinn- 

 ville, Oregon. This jDroved fatal to trees and plants of niiny kinds, 

 particularly those on flat bottoms or on hillsides from which, for any 

 reason, the cold air was prevented from blowing to lower levels. 



In addition to the species of nuts discussed by Mr. Turk, some- 

 thing might be "said regarding the possibilities of clu-stnut culture in 

 the Pacific Northwest. Numerous trees, planted singly or even in 

 small groups found there, grow so well as to indicate plainly that the 

 genus is capable of adapting itself to existing environment. How- 

 ever, both planters and consumers are generally prejudiced against 

 the chestnut. This is easily explained for the rcison tliat either suffi- 



