his 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 mentioned that we all like to be identified with a
growing or expanding business or project. It is my firm conviction that
we all should do more to promote more and better nut trees. We need more
planters of a few nut trees as well as a few planters with many trees.

We have recently seen a tremendous rebirth of interest in grassland
farming in this country. This is constructive and sound for the long
pull. Livestock and proper land use are natural companions. Another ally
and companion in this whole movement should be good walnut trees in
every pasture, a few nut trees in every farm lot, in the fence row and
corner of the farm. I am sure that our educational agencies would be
very receptive to putting more emphasis on this sound and fundamental
practice. Good pasture lands, clear streams, plenty of trees for shade
are all important and real assets to any farm. Shade produced by a tre