and survived about 30 deg. below zero under deep snow at Pine Plains, New
York. I also set out 2 bushes (_C. pumila_) obtained from Harlan P.
Kelsey, East Boxford, Massachusetts. Dr. Graves' seed gave fair
germination, and I now have seven nice young _mollisimas_ from 8" to 30"
high. Of two three year old trees I obtained from a local nursery, one
died (my fault) from not reducing the top, and the other died back to
the ground from winterkill, but came back again as sprouts. I easily
obtained seed of _C. sativa_, but the severe winter mowed the seedlings
down and there are only two survivors. One is smaller this year than
last but the other is about 14" high and making slow, straight growth.
The _chinkapins_ are perfectly hardy and this year one of them made _3
feet of growth_.

I estimate that I have some 3,000 to 4,000 American chestnut sprouts
that range anything from 1 to 18 feet in height. But more promising--I
have a cluster of fine young seedlings that I have been caring for. All
the woods were cleared away from them to give them plenty of light. They
are watered by the old hand bucket method in dry spells. I report on
them occasionally to Mr. G. F. Gravatt and Mr. Russell B. Clapper of the
U.S.D.A. They are a faint ray of hope.

Four of them are about from 18 to 20 feet tall. One is about 9 feet
high. One blighted and died two years ago and was removed. Another
blighted at the base and I cut the canker out, but I fear it's going.
One branch is dead and was removed. The others developed strong blight
resistance. Small cankers formed on the lower branches but did not make
headway. I cut some of these out and the trees healed nicely. As the
trees become older, their resistance diminishes and the proof lies
ahead. One tree that I labeled No. 1 has about two dozen, well healed
_Endothia_ scars already. The trees have not bloomed for me yet but I
may have some results soon. I intend to cross this clonal group with the
following:

1. With _C. seguinii_ for greater blight resistance and productivity.

2. With _C. mollisima_ (var. Abundance) for blight resistance, fine nuts
of medium size, and a good timber stick with good vigor.

3. With large Japanese like Austin, and their hybrids like "Colossal,"
for a medium size nut of fair quality and highly prolific for the
general market for a cooking or roasting chestnut.

Though many people dislike the Japanese chestnuts, they are at least
productive and hardy (at my p