Between these two distinct types of Japanese walnut there are numerous intermediate forms hard to classify but invariably less desirable than heartnuts. There are also numerous offspring of marked vigor, producing nuts distinctly butternut-like in form but having even thicker shells. These last do not commend themselves for any purpose other than that of genetic use.
The black walnut, the shagbark hickory, the sweet hickory, the butternut and certain hybrid hickories are now believed to offer greater inducement to prospective planters of nut trees in the northernmost zone east of the Rocky Mountains than do other species. Varieties of strictly northern origin are now available to those who are capable of doing their own grafting. Many of these are of considerable promise, apparently, at least, equal in merit to any of the older varieties now being offered by nurserymen.
On Tuesday forenoon, September 11, the convention visited the Kellogg Factory and the Battle Creek Sanitarium and at noon returned to the W. K. Kellogg Hotel, where a delicious luncheon was served to the members and guests. Miss Mary I. Barber, Director of Home Economics of the Kellogg Company, in behalf of Mr. W. K. Kellogg, graciously acted as hostess at the luncheon.
On Tuesday afternoon the convention went to the Kellogg Company farm by motor bus and auto to visit the nut trees. They then proceeded to the Bird Sanctuary and the Kellogg estate. This was followed by a motor boat trip around beautiful Gull Lake and dinner at Bunbury Inn. A session followed the dinner.
I wish to present Professor V. R. Gardner, the Director of the Experiment Station at Michigan State College, East Lansing, who has kindly consented to address us this evening.
In the field of horticulture we have many problems and these problems may be classified in different ways. From one standpoint, at least, there is a typical group or class of problems that arises in connection with a crop like the peach or apple or pear. If you knew that tomorrow or next week or next month you were to attend a meeting of peach or pear growers, you would have a pretty good idea of the type of questions that would be raised. They concern variety, insect and disease control, fertilization, and many questions relating to harvesting, packing and marketing the crop. On the other hand, suppose you were to attend a meeting of peony, delphinium, or dahlia growers. You would find not only an entirely different type of question under discussion, but an entirely different atmosphere.