Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Forty-Second Annual Meeting | Page 8

held farther west, and that was held in Iowa in 1915, when my good
friend and fellow Iowan, D. C. Snyder's brother, was active and
contributed so much to nut culture in this country. The late Sam
Snyder's, as well as D. C.'s untiring efforts, did much to originate and
develop some of the finest named walnut and hickory nuts in Iowa.
Through the years many other good nuts of the black walnut, hickory,
pecan, Persian walnut and chestnut have been added to the
ever-growing list. It is my considered opinion that one of the real
questions that must be answered and answered intelligently, based on
actual experience, is what nut trees shall I plant now?
It is only natural that the list of different varieties has grown so long in
nearly every variety that we should concern ourselves particularly with
point three of our objectives, which I have reviewed with you--that
being the standardization and selection of varietal names. In order that
nut culture be extended and expanded for profit, as well as satisfaction,
I feel this is a real problem. It is my considered judgment that a definite
culling must be done. Those of us who find our favorite nut tree
meeting the axe may propagate it on a personal basis. The fact remains
however that a definite list of approved varieties, based on actual
experience and performance, is needed. We will save many a heartache,
much time, work, and money by knowing more definitely what to plant.
This would enable the nurseryman or the propagator of nut trees to
reduce the number of varieties it has been necessary to carry in the past.
It is imperative that any growing business have a broad commercial
base. The nurseryman is seeking information on the most desirable
varieties because it is unprofitable for him to carry a huge inventory of
varieties he feels are most desirable, yet are called for the least. It has
been my experience that the nurserymen in Iowa are limiting the
number of species for propagating purposes. They are making a
selection of varieties based on their own judgment, which may be good
or perhaps could be better. If more standardization and selection could
be obtained, the nurseryman could and would propagate more of the
varieties that are recommended for their particular localities. In my
opinion, it is our responsibility to help furnish this information.

With this in mind, we have named a committee to work on this
important problem during the past year. The very capable and efficient
Mr. H. F. Stoke has been working with the vice-presidents of our
organization to survey the black walnut through the black walnut belt. I
am sure we all are anxious to learn about their findings and
accomplishments later in this conference. It is my sincere hope that this
report and the forum round table discussion will give all of us a better
understanding of which black walnut to plant in each respective locality.
If we can accomplish this one problem at this meeting, I feel this
conference would be most worthwhile and be a contributing factor to
an ever-expanding production of good black walnuts in this country.
If we can make real progress on the black walnut, and I am confident
we can, the other varieties such as the hickory, Persian walnut, chestnut,
and the lesser grown nuts, can be dealt with in the future.
This matter of selecting the best variety of black walnuts for a
particular locality has been of interest to me ever since I became
interested in the fascinating subject and practice of growing nut trees.
Furthermore, I have become increasingly interested in this during each
succeeding year. If you will pardon a personal reference, we started out
by planting some of each variety that appealed to me that was being
propagated or sold by nurserymen. In the beginning years we
experienced difficulty with two factors: namely, cattle and flood waters.
We still have a number of varieties but have discarded many for a
number of reasons. However, in the next few years the trees will be
ready to bear and will furnish many of the answers concerning
production in our own locality. This single project may save future
planters of nut trees many heartaches and, more important, loss of
time--because they will know what to plant.
That sentence in essence is my main thought for the day--and year. And
as a final example we could read the parable from the book of Matthew
of the man who sowed seed but an enemy sowed tares and the servants
asked if they should pull the tares. But Jesus said, "No, because in so
doing they might uproot the wheat. Rather," said He, "wait until the
harvest, then separate the tares from the wheat."

Earlier it was