THE CHESTNUT 67 



American chinquapin are peculiarly resistant. 

 The chinquapin itself is at least partially immune 

 to the disease, but of course this tree bears a nut 

 that is too small to have commercial value. The 

 hybrids, however, in some cases are said to retain 

 the good qualities of the chestnut tree combined 

 with the capacity to bear large nuts acquired 

 from their oriental ancestor. 



It is obvious, then, that here is another case in 

 which the introduction of new blood from the 

 Orient may be of inestimable value. The loss of 

 our native chestnuts is a calamity, but it is a 

 calamity that is not irreparable. We may have 

 full assurance that new chestnut groves will 

 spring up in the wake of the pest. 



It is obvious that the early-bearing chestnut 

 offers great advantages for such reforestation. 

 The probability that these will prove immune 

 to the pest gives them added attractiveness. If, 

 however, the existing varieties should prove not 

 to be immune, it will be necessary to develop 

 resistant varieties. For it is obvious that the cul- 

 tivation of the chestnut will not be abandoned 

 merely because it has met with an unexpected 

 setback. 



It has already been pointed out that the chest- 

 nut has exceptional food value on account of its 

 high percentage of starchy matter. It therefore 



