DR. SMITH:  We will ask Mr. Vollertsen to describe the specimens himself.

MR. VOLLERTSEN:  They are from a private place of G. H. Perkins on East Avenue.  They have never failed a year since 1886.  Unfortunately we have no name for them, except that this one was always called John Jones.  It has certainly proved a good strong hardy variety.

Then we have another one, a long one, which has never been named, and I am not able to say exactly what it is.  Last year they were exceptionally well filled.  This year there are not quite so many on them, although a goodly number.  They have never failed a single year.

I have one little variety which was given me by Dr. Mann, on Alexander Street.  The limbs are practically hanging down with the nuts.  They are ready for market now, falling out.

I have here some purple hazels which have always borne fruit and no other hazel in the vicinity is as good.  It has sometimes two crops in a year.  These are really beautiful specimens.  This little early variety should be passed round and have special attention.  I have given this variety no name, but for over thirty-five years it has borne good fruit every year.

DR. MORRIS:  If you are in doubt as to the name of a variety, I think Mr. Laney will find a way for getting you the name for almost every variety that is found in the markets.

THE PRESIDENT:  Mr. McGlennon asks that the gentleman advise us how he has propagated them.  We went through Mr. McGlennon’s beautiful orchard yesterday.

MR. VOLLERTSEN:  We have been using an ordinary way of budding.  An ordinary seedling can be used to good advantage for grafting.  I have found in grafting in winter they do not seem to grow as well.  In our fall layering we naturally get a larger plant.

THE PRESIDENT:  Do we understand that these hazels that have borne for twenty-five years are European hazels?

MR. VOLLERTSEN:  Yes; European hazels.  I have had them under my care since 1886, and never noticed any blight.

A MEMBER:  Can’t you explain to us, with one of your specimens, your method of spring layering?

MR. VOLLERTSEN:  In layering them, we practically don’t cover them at all for the time being.  They are merely pinned down.

DR. MORRIS:  Do you cut the bark?

MR. VOLLERTSEN:  Not on them.  After they have grown some we cover them up.  We find this a very successful way.  We get younger and smaller plants in the fall lay.

THE PRESIDENT:  I should like to ask Dr. Morris a question.  In this native hazel, does it keep on spreading under ground?

DR. MORRIS:  One single plant, planted in a pasture lot and not interfered with will in a few years occupy practically that whole pasture lot.  In my part of the country this is true; how is it with you, Dr. Deming?

A MEMBER:  Going back to the blight, will this tackle any size limb?

DR. MORRIS:  It usually does not come until your hopes are at top notch, and then it drops in on you.  It does not attack the smaller twigs at first, but may finally extend to them.