26 



through the ravages of the chestnut bark disease, there is no reason 

 wh}- chestnuts could not be grown in California, especially in many of 

 the foot-hill districts. This, of course, jDresupposes that the chestnut 

 bark disease can be kept out of the state, and we believe it can be. 

 The general price situation, however, is such as to discourage any ex- 

 tensive plantings at this time. The interest that is being taken in 

 possible future plantings, however, is such that it appears reasonable 

 to believe that the next few years will see materially larger plantings 

 made, provided there is any improvement in agricultural economy 

 conditions." 



Mr. James Sharp, Vice-President from Kansas, writes: 

 "The only nut native here is black walnut, and the crop is heavy. 

 There are some Stabler and Thomas jjlanted here, and some grafted on 

 native black are bearing. We have something like fiftj^ grafted pecans 

 planted of all varieties, but none bearing yet. The pecan is a native 

 south and east of here in Kansas, and the crop is good. I understand. 

 We also have a few grafted sweet chestnuts growing in Kansas which 

 are bearing well, and more are being planted. I have one English wal- 

 nut growing near mj' house, whicli liad male blooms last spring, 

 but no nuts. We do not think they will be a success in Kansas but 

 we hope to grow some nuts on our tree next year, .the first in Kansas." 

 Mr. U. H. Walker, Nacla, Colorado, who says he is probably the 

 only one in that state attempting to grow nut trees, instead of fruit, 

 writes of his attempts. His jDlace is at an altitude of 5,800 feet, where 

 he can at times look down into the clouds, and on clear days can look 

 up into perpetual snow. Mr. Walker has black walnut trees that have 

 ■ produced crops each year for the last ten years, three pecan trees and 

 two persimmons. He has been experimenting with nut trees obtained 

 from the government for the last ten or twelve years, and' is willing 

 to plant and care for any trees which the memibers of the association 

 would like to hnve tried out in the center of the Rocky Mountain 

 district. 



Prof. V. R. Gardner, Michigan Agricultural College, in a letter to 

 C. A. Reed, says: "We are getting a very nice collection of hardy nuts 

 started on our Graham Station grounds near Grand Rajiids. These are 

 for the most part young trees being jjlanted in orcliard form. We are 

 also doing som^e top-grafting and as soon as we shall be able to ac- 

 cumulate more data upon which to base recommendations, I am in- 

 clined to think that we will put on a number of nut grafting demon- 

 strations in the state. I am sure there will be a demand for it. 



If your meetings could be held later in the year, perhaps some time 

 during the winter, I think it would be easier for some of the station 

 men to attend them." 



Mr. Reed: Might I add that Prof. Gardner was at one time 



