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DEVELOPING A NUT INDUSTRY IN THE NORTHEAST 

 Bii Dr. G. A. Zimmerman, Pennsylvania 



We have all heard of the pecan. No doubt most of us have traveled 

 throug;!! the South at some time or other and have entertained a wish 

 for a pecan grove. A personal friend of mine, a minister, told me 

 recently that the only time he was ever tempted to invest in a com- 

 mercial ])roposition was when a real estate agent laid a picture of a 

 pecan grove before him. I had entertained the thought that some day 

 I might possess an orchard. Therefore, a couple of winters ago, when 

 I found it necessary to go south for my health, I silently hoped I could 

 kill two birds with one stone, by getting some undeveloped land and 

 starting a pecan grove, which at the same time would keep me in the 

 open air and give me exercise. Consequently, my eyes were always 

 open and I was on the constant lookout for pecans. After miles of 

 travel they appeared. They were very interesting and I went into 

 the subject pretty thoroughly. I was informed that no cheap land was 

 available any more that was desirable for pecans. I am not so sure of 

 that. I was also informed that most of the people who had planted 

 groves had made a mistake, that the pecan business was just beginning 

 under new ideas, and that most of the work would have to be done over. 

 From the amount of trees that are being top-worked I am inclined to 

 believe this is true. 



But I didn't kill the two birds with one stone. I did not attempt 

 to build up a pecan grove, but instead I came back with the idea firmly 

 impressed thit we have a better proposition for the future right here, 

 that we have right here in the North the building material in the shag- 

 bark hickory and the black walnut for a nut industry that will rival or 

 even surpass the enviable position the pecan holds today. Was I cor- 

 rect or was I wrong? A second trip last winter has served only to 

 imbed that idea into a firm conviction. 



What ground have I for drawing this conclusion? Some of you, 

 my friends, may disagree with me in some of my remarks, and no 

 doubt insist that I am uninformed. Perhaps I am, but I am giving 

 my convictions nevertheless, and I ask you to withhold judgment for 

 twenty years before deciding against me. 



Why has the pecan forged to the front as it has? Because the 



