THE PRESIDENT: There is a great deal in the suggestions of Mr. Riehl. It has been noticed by all of us in nut culture that the individual opinion of the man who has seen only his tree or bush is perhaps not worth much. That is why the data we have on the walnut is unsatisfactory. So much of it comes from the man who has seen only his tree, and does not know what a first class bearing tree is like. The same difficulty would arise, to some extent, in your suggestion, Mr. Riehl, as to offering the prize. That is perhaps one of the best methods to stimulate interest but there is this difficulty in the way, that the nuts must be gathered, and the tree be investigated before it could be properly authenticated. I have had people tell me they have seen pecans from certain trees, that long (measuring on finger). There never was a pecan grew in the world that long. The question before the house is the appointment of this committee. Is there any further discussion? If not those in favor of it make it known by rising. (Two.) Those opposed make it known by rising. (Seven.) The motion is lost. Is there any further business? If not we will stand adjourned _sine die_. APPENDIX THE HISTORY OF THE PERSIAN WALNUT IN PENNSYLVANIA J. G. RUSH, WEST WILLOW, PENNSYLVANIA The history of the Persian walnut in Pennsylvania goes back several hundred years. Seed nuts only were brought here by the early German settlers, as steam navigation was unknown at that period. From this mixture of seed from Europe, we have at this time a few varieties worthy of favorable mention. In this connection I will give you my brief history or experiences and observation for the last twenty-nine years. In 1886 I bought two seedling trees from a local nursery regardless of name or variety at thirty-five cents each. These two trees received equal treatment in culture for ten years, when the so-called Rush tree produced two bushels of fine developed nuts. The other tree about forty feet away has not produced two bushels from the time it was planted to the present date. The productiveness of the Rush induced me to think, and to investigate the great difference in these two trees. I finally found the Rush to be a simultaneous bloomer whereas the other was just the reverse. Being a member of the State Horticultural Association I exhibited these nuts from time to time when finally other members became interested in nut culture. Mr. John Engle of the Marietta Nurseries advised me to plant seed from this particular tree and raise seedling trees for sale. I finally did on a small scale only. But I soon found in the young seedlings a taint of black walnut blood, which discouraged me for a further continuance. Later I had correspondence with J. F. Jones, then of Monticello, Fla., who had specialized in the propagation of all nut trees. In 1903 scions were sent to him, and returned as budded trees in 1905, and are now a living monument to the memory of the first propagator of the Rush variety.