from older trees
will not root, is not unusual. It is generally accepted that the younger
the tree from which the cuttings are taken, the easier the cuttings are
to root. Experiments along these lines are planned for 1954.

Cooperative Hybrid Chestnut Plantations

In last year's report we described our hybrid test plots established in
cooperation with the U.S.D.A., Bureau of Plant Industry, Division of
Forest Pathology.

On March 18, 1953 a new plantation was started at Grafton, West
Virginia. As usual, we furnished 50 plants for this test plot.

From the reports from Dr. J. D. Diller, of the then Division of Forest
Pathology, our hybrids so far have shown a promising performance,
although their average growth rate so far is slightly slower than that
of the U.S.D.A. hybrids and straight Chinese chestnut. From the
standpoint of blight resistance and growth habit they are at least equal
to the two other sources and may be slightly better; however, it is
still too early to make any definite evaluation of the results.

Insect Injuries

The most damaging insect pests in the Sleeping Giant Plantation are the
spring canker worms, the mites (_Paratetranychus bicolor_), Japanese
beetles and the chestnut weevils.

A spraying schedule has now been worked out which keeps these pests
under control:

1. Dormant spray with "Scalecide" in middle April against the canker
worms and mites.

2. Two applications of "Aramite" (6-7 lbs. per acre) in the middle and
toward the end of June. These sprayings have given good control against
mites. Where the outbreak is very severe it may be necessary to spray
with "Aramite" also in July and again in August.

3. Spraying with DDT in middle August and the first week in September
has controlled the weevils successfully.

In concluding this report we desire to express our thanks to the many
interested persons who have contributed pollen, nuts and/or scions to
further this project.

Dr. W. C. Deming

On November 17th, 1910, twelve dreamers met in the Botanical Museum,
Bronx Park, New York City, to form an organization of nut growers in the
north. It was largely an organizational meeting. No papers were read,
but some solid foundations were laid. Dr. W. C. Deming served as
temporary chairman of the meeting and, fortunately for the cause, was
then elected as the new body's Secretary-Treasurer, an office which has
always called for executive ability and untiring industry.

This el