greatly through the excellent cooperation of Extension Foresters, State
Foresters, U. S. Forest Service, Timber Production War Project
Foresters, Foresters of the Soil Conservation Service and Tennessee
Valley Authority Foresters. These various agencies are working hand in
hand with us on those objectives of our program which, in a measure,
dovetail with various phases of their own programs. One of the most
interesting aspects of our program is our work with 4-H Clubs. We are
sponsoring a contest among those members who are interested in forestry.
Each contestant is required to plant 25 seedlings, record certain data
and write a story about his woodlot giving specific information. Two
winners will be chosen from each county participating. Winners will be
chosen on the basis of the best story submitted; judges will be 4-H
officials and the Extension Forester from each state. The reward to be
presented winners will be one week's vacation at 4-H Summer Camp with
all expenses paid by the American Walnut Manufacturers Association. This
contest is open to all 4-H Club members in the States of Indiana,
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and
Tennessee.
In addition to this, the Association Forester will conduct a one day
forestry program at the summer camps at which time he will present the
winners with special certificates.
The program was planned by the Association's Forestry Committee,
consisting of Chester B. Stem, C. B. Stem, Inc., New Albany, Indiana,
Chairman; B. F. Swain, National Veneer and Lumber Company, Indianapolis,
and Seymour, Indiana; Clarence A. Swords, Sword-Morton Veneer Company,
Indianapolis, Indiana and Burdett Green, Secretary-Manager of the
American Walnut Manufacturers Association, Chicago, Illinois. The
committee worked in close cooperation with Harris Collingwood,
Washington, D. C., Forester for the lumber industry. Of especial help
were several of the Midwest's outstanding foresters from regional and
state offices of the various governmental forestry agencies--men who
have had years of woods experience in the areas where most of the Walnut
Association's forestry activities will be carried on.
The Crath Carpathian Walnut in Illinois
_By A. S. COLBY_
The Persian walnut (_Juglans regia_), usually and incorrectly called the
English walnut, has been highly prized both for the beauty of the tree
and the quality of its nuts since ancient times. The species flourishes
in Southern Asia and Europe and in our Southwestern and Pacific Coast
States, but most of the attempts that have been made to fruit it in
Northern and Eastern sections have failed. The varieties or strains
tried there were for the most part native to sections of the Old World
where the winters are comparatively mild and they were therefore not
able to survive our colder and more changeable climate. The late E. A.
Riehl, of Alton, Illinois, tried repeatedly to grow named varieties of
this nut which are successful in California, but often stated that the
species had no future in Illinois. In extreme southern Illinois, at
Robert Endicott's place, in Villa Ridge, several Persian walnut trees
are growing but their bearing habits are disappointing.
One of the most promising recent developments in Northern nut culture is
the introduction into America of hardier strains of the Persian walnut,
through the efforts of Rev. Paul C. Crath, of Toronto, Canada, a native
of Poland, and whose father was the head of the Agricultural College in
the Ukraine. He went back to his own country as a missionary in the
early 1930's, and there noticed the hardiness of the Persian walnuts
growing in that severe climate. Realizing the possibilities of these
strains for fruiting in North America, he combed that rich Russian
agricultural region in the Carpathian Mountains for seed for
experimental planting over here, harvesting it from trees uninjured at
temperatures of -40 deg. F. These parent trees were carefully selected for
regular production of good crops of thin-shelled, easily-cracked nuts of
good quality. The trees were growing at such distances from others that
cross-pollination was avoided. Rev. Crath had observed that seedlings
from such self-pollinated trees usually bore nuts that closely resembled
those of the parent.
Each tree from which nuts were saved was given a number in order to keep
future records straight. The nuts were planted in a nursery established
by Rev. Crath near Toronto. Wishing some point in this country where his
trees could be distributed without the difficulty and delay incurred in
moving small shipments across the border, Rev. Crath arranged with Mr.
Samuel H. Graham, of Ithaca, New York, to take sole charge of their
distribution in the United States. Considerable interest has been
aroused in the possibilities of these strains and their distribution has
been wide-spread, with over 2,000 seedlings sent to many Northern States
since 1937. In a few more years, after a considerable proportion of
these numbered seedlings have come into bearing, we shall have some
valuable information regarding their possibilities in sections of the
country where previously it had not been considered possible to grow
Persian walnuts.
Several Illinois horticulturists have planted seedlings of these strains
and have already brought one or more of them into bearing. Others have
used scion wood of the Crath types in top-working black walnut trees.
The sample Crath Carpathian walnut No. 1 on display at the 1942 meeting
of the Illinois Horticultural Society at Quincy was grown by Mr. Royal
Oakes, of Bluffs, Illinois. Mr. Oakes topworked a black walnut with
Crath Seedling No. 1 scions in 1938 and harvested six nuts in 1942. At
the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station at Urbana, we have over 20
Crath seedlings under number, planted in 1937 and 1939. They are all
healthy and vigorous, and several bore pistillate flowers in 1942.
Comparatively little is known about the bearing habits of the Crath
walnut strains. Several growers have noted that their trees began to
bear pistillate flowers within a few years after planting but set no
nuts. Evidently the staminate catkins necessary for pollen production
are somewhat slower in appearing. Other strains of Persian walnuts are
said to be slow in this regard, usually beginning to bear female flowers
from 3 to 5 years before male flowers are produced. It is thought
possible that Persian walnut pistils will accept black walnut pollen.
Mr. Oakes reports that there were no staminate flowers on the Crath
(from which he picked the nuts he exhibited at Quincy), but black walnut
pollen was abundant nearby at that time and for good measure he also
brought in butternut bouquets. As he states, "something worked."
The prospective planter should understand that these new walnut strains
are as yet only in the experimental stage. It is believed that some of
them have considerable promise, at least in the southern and the
central, and possibly in the northern, parts of this state. However,
they must be properly planted and cared for if one expects them to grow
and bear. Too close planting should be avoided and some attention must
be given to forming the head when the tree is young. No one knows
exactly when they will bear, how much, and how long. In their native
country, trees have been observed estimated to be over 300 years old.
Most of us can expect to enjoy nuts from trees we plant, with more for
our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One might ask also in this
connection, as does one nut nurseryman, "How soon will a Chinese elm or
soft maple bear nuts?"
[Illustration: Parent tree of Ohio black walnut, on the farm of Charles
Arbogast, 1-1/2 miles northwest of McCutchenville, Ohio. The tree is
2-1/2 feet in diameter and very vigorous. It is said to bear heavy crops
in alternate years.
Photograph by O. D. Diller, Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Oct.
8, 1943.]
[Illustration]
Ohio Nut Growers' Meeting
_By G. J. KORN, BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICH._
A meeting of Ohio nut growers was held at the Wooster, Ohio, Experiment
Station on September 5, 1943. A very pleasant and profitable afternoon
was had in the exchange of ideas and reports on the growing of nut
trees. Most of those present were members of the Northern Nut Growers'
Association. As the annual meeting of that organization had been
cancelled for the duration of the war, the Ohio members decided to hold
a meeting of their own at Wooster. The growers presented reports on the
varieties with which they are working and evaluated their merits and
performance. As an example, Mr. A. A. Bungart of Avon, said he had spent
a good share of his spare time for two summers in examination of several
hundred native black walnut trees, and has never found a nut as good as
the varieties Todd or Thomas. He still feels, however, that there are
superior walnuts growing wild and that continued search for them is well
warranted. Several other kinds of nut trees are being grown by Mr.
Bungart, such as filberts, Chinese chestnuts, and Crath Persian walnuts.
In a summary of his report he said, "In viewing the growing of nut
trees, I am convinced that it is a wonderful hobby, and that the
contributions of various individuals and groups will eventually
establish nut growing in the northern states on a commercial basis."
Mr. Eugene Cranz of Ira also gave a very interesting report. This past
summer Mr. Cranz passed his eighty-first birthday, and for many years
has been keenly interested in general forestry practices. One of his
particular interests is nut culture; a very superior hickory tree grows
on his place, which bears a very high quality nut. During the course of
his remarks, he expressed great optimism in the matter of developing the
Chinese chestnut into a valuable commercial nut crop.
Mr. J. Lester Hawk & Son of Beach City, concurred in Mr. Cranz's opinion
on this matter, and cited as an example the 2 Hobson Chinese chestnuts
which they planted on their property in 1917. These two trees have been
bearing crops of well-formed tasty nuts for a period of 20 years. Mr.
Hawk reports that he had sold several hundred seedling trees from these
trees last year, and reports that he has about 2,500 one-year seedling
trees in his nursery at the present time.
Many other interesting reports were given on cultural practices and on
the merits of various types of nut trees adaptable to northern
conditions. Mention should be made of the especially fine illustrated
talk given by L. Walter Sherman, superintendent of the Mahoning County
Experiment Farm at Canfield. Colored slides were shown by Mr. Sherman,
of his grafting technique and of individual trees throughout the state
from which he has collected scions. Three acres of the Mahoning County
Farm are being devoted to nut growing and research at the present time.
This planting includes 21 different varieties of black walnut. Mr.
Sherman is keeping an accurate record of the trees as they develop,
their source of scions, and other items that may be of interest. Besides
recording this data, he is also making color slides of his cultural
methods and progressive stages of the trees' growth.
In spite of unavoidable interruptions to their individual efforts
occasioned by the war, those in attendance expressed the belief that
real progress is being made in this particular field. A committee was
chosen to draft tentative plans for a 20-year research program on nut
culture in Ohio. The great enthusiasm shown at this initial meeting
indicates that a meeting of Ohio nut growers is likely to become an
annual event.
On my return home to Michigan from attending the Ohio meeting, I stopped
off near McCutchenville, Ohio, to visit the parent "Ohio" black walnut
tree. The accompanying photos taken by Mr. O. D. Diller, Dept. of
Forestry, Experiment Station, Wooster, Ohio, show the majesty and beauty
of this great tree.
Walnut and Heartnut Varieties Notes and Remarks
_By J. U. GELLATLY, Westbrook, B. C._
BARLEE BLACK WALNUT--1935 crop grown in Kelowna, B. C.--1 nut--44.0
per lb., 1 kernel--206.1 per lb., 21.36% kernel.
BROADVIEW NUTS--1941 crop, 5 nuts--29.5 per lb., 68.7 kernels per
lb., 1 best kernel 64.8 per lb., 51.5 shells per lb., 42.85%
kernel.
CALLANDER HEART NUT--20 Nuts--124.8 per lb., 20 kernels--392.7
kernels per lb.--31.8% kernel.
CANOKA HEART NUT--1941 crop--1 nut--79.6 per lb., 24-1/2% kernel,
105.5 shells per lb., 324.0 kernels per lb.
CANOKA HEART--1941 crop--5 nuts average--90.4 per lb., 123.3 shells
per lb., 338.5 kernels per lb., 26.7% kernel.
CHINESE OR MANCHURIAN WALNUTS 1941 crop grown O. K. Valley--5
nuts--27.1 per lb., 5 kernels--62.0 per lb., 5 shells--48.1 per
lb., 43.73% kernel. Kernels very fine flavour.
COGLAN WALNUT--from Coglan, B. C.--1 nut--47.7 per lb., 1
kernel--113.4 per lb., 1 shell--82.5 per lb., 42.1% kernel. A very
good thin shell nut of Franquette type.
FRANQUETTE WALNUTS 1941 crop--outside dry storage or unheated shed.
5 nuts--30.0 per lb., 1 largest nut--26.4 per lb., kernel of this
nut 78.2 per lb., 1 small kernel 141.75 per lb., 1 medium
kernel--79.6 per lb., 5 kernels--94.1 per lb., 5 shells--45.3 per
lb. 32.48% kernels. Kernels best of flavour.
GELLATLY HEART NUT--1939 crop--20 nuts--64.2 per lb., 252.0 kernels
per lb., 25.5% kernel. Shell heavy--cracking only fair.
HEART NUT--from R. P. Wright, Erie, Pennsylvania, U. S. A.--1
nut--84.0 per lb., 266.8 kernels per lb., 122.6 shells per lb.,
31.48% kernel.
IMPIT BLACK WALNUT--1941 crop--1 nut--25.2 per lb., 1 kernel--141.8
per lb., 17.78% kernel. 2 nuts--25.6 per lb.,--2 kernels--137.5 per
lb., 18.64% kernel.
IMPIT BLACK WALNUT--1941 crop--10 nuts--25.2 per lb., 10
kernels--110.4 per lb., 28.8% kernel. Cracking time 12 minutes to
crack with hammer.
MACKENZIE HEART NUT--20 nuts--48.3 per lb., 20 kernels--193.0
kernels per lb., 25% kernel--extracting and opening with knife--4
minutes.
NORTH STAR WALNUT--1941 crop grown in O. K. Valley--5 nuts--28.8
per lb., 5 kernels--76.9 per lb., 5 shells--46.1 per lb., 37.48%
kernel.
NURSOKA HEART NUT--1940 crop grown at Peachland, B. C.--1 nut--72.0
per lb., 103.1 shells per lb., 238.7 kernels per lb., 30.2% kernel.
Extracting time 6 minutes.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
O. K. HEART NUT--1933 crop grown at Kelowna, B. C--20 nuts--103.1
per lb., 382.8 kernels per lb., 26.9% kernel. 3.5 minutes to open
and extract with small penknife.
PENOKA HEART NUT--1939 crop--1 nut--96.5 per lb., 412.4 kernels per
lb., 23.4% kernel.
ROVER HEART NUT--1941 crop--10 nuts, average--79.4 per lb., 98.6
shells per lb., 408.6 kernels per lb., 19.4% kernel.
ROVER HEART NUT--1939 crop--1 nut--96.6 per lb, 378.0 kernels per
lb., 25.53% kernel.
ROVER HEART NUT--1935 crop--20 nuts--90.7 per lb., 302.4 kernels
per lb., 30% kernel.
SMYTHE HEART NUT--5 nuts--95.7 per lb., 5 kernels--276.6 per lb.,
34.6% kernel. Well sealed but easy to open.
SPREADOKA WALNUT "J. REGIA"--5 nuts--49.3 per lb., 5 kernels--105.0
per lb., 5 shells--92.95 per lb., 46.95% kernel.
THACKER HEART NUT--1942 crop--10 nuts--103.1 per lb., 324 kernels
per lb., 31.8% kernel.
VAUX ENGLISH WALNUT--1940 crop--a new seedling on J. U. Gellatly's
lot. Large nuts--heavy shell. 1 nut--36.3 per lb., 1 kernel--90.7
per lb., 69.8 shells per lb., 40% kernel.
WALSH WALNUTS--1941 crop grown in O. K. Valley--5 nuts 24.3 per
lb., 5 kernels--57.7 per lb., 5 shells--42.2 per lb., 42.26%
kernels. Kernels bland flavour.
WALTERS HEART NUT--1934 crop--20 nuts--47.2 per lb., 180.4 kernels
per lb., 26.2% kernel. 13 minutes to open and extract with
penknife.
WALTERS HEART NUT--1940 crop--1 nut--58.2 per lb., 226.8 kernels
per lb., 78.2 shells per. lb., 25.64% kernel.
NO. E. 16--From Ross Pier Wright--235 West 6th St., Erie,
Pennsylvania, U. S. A. 1 nut--61.3 per lb., 232.6 kernels per lb.,
83.2 shells per lb., 26.35% kernel.
WATT WALNUT--from Himalayan Mts., India, B. C.--grown 1940. 1 large
nut--35.4 per lb., 1 kernel--75.6 per lb., 1 shell--66.7. per lb.,
46.876% kernel.
Letters
_Abstract of letter from Thomas Mitchell, 259 W. 29th St., New York, N.
Y., to Julio P. Grandjean, Box 748, Mexico, D. F._ I am a tree breeder
interested in creating hybrid crop trees, oaks and, if possible,
bi-generic hybrids of carob with honey locust and with mesquite. I have,
in the past seven years, made over a thousand crosses of poplars and
about 600 inter-specific oak crosses. This spring I made 250 oak crosses
at the Arnold Arboretum, of which about 20% seem to be ripening viable
acorns. I have a list of 90 varieties of hybrid oaks and about 60
varieties of American Asiatic and European species which are available
here or at the Arboretum. I will send this list to any one who is
interested in trying to graft them on native oak seedlings, and will
send scions to any one willing to send me acorns, scions or pollen.
I believe the oak tree to be, potentially, more valuable than any other
crop tree.
_Abstract of letter from W. G. Tatum, Lebanon, Kentucky, to the Chairman
of the Survey Committee._ We have had reports from E. C. Rice of Absher,
Ky., but his work with trees and his wonderful personality are not well
enough known to us. Besides his large plantings of nut and fruit trees
he does general farming. He has almost all of the finer varieties of nut
trees, many of them large, in bearing and doing well.
Lewis Edmunds of Glasgow, Ky., discoverer of the Edmunds black walnut,
is a general farmer whose plantings of nut tree, while not large,
include many of the older and better known sorts, as well as later
discoveries of his own, including a very thin shelled walnut, shagbark
hickories, a seedless persimmon; and he is planning a large planting of
chestnuts. He has a Stuart pecan that bears well-filled nuts every year,
apparently without benefit of pollen from another tree.
Our experiment station has issued a new leaflet on nut growing in
Kentucky and our State Forester, Mr. Jackson has given radio talks on
the subject.
I am planning and planting all the time and have at least a small start
of most of the better strains of all varieties. I have a little nursery
where I grow and graft my own trees. I consider Edmunds a very fine
black walnut. I think that more free exchange of graftwood should be
encouraged among our members, and we should encourage and help newcomers
in learning the art of grafting. I got 90% of my Stambaugh grafts to
grow this season, in a row of stocks running from the size of a lead
pencil to that of the average man's little finger, using scions near to
the size of the stocks, grafted by the "whip and tongue" splice method.
_Letter from H. F. Stoke to Miss Mildred Jones:_ I am pleased to comply
with your request to report on those varieties that have given me the
best results in this locality. It is perhaps unfortunate that some of
them are unknown or obscure varieties that are not generally in the
hands of the nursery trade. (As an aside, I am quitting the nursery
business, so what I say is without prejudice or any personal bias.)
I am listing the varieties in order of my estimate of them for this
locality based on my own personal experience. I am becoming increasingly
hard boiled in my judgments based on two considerations: first, that a
nut tree should bear within a reasonable time and that the crops should
be regular and reasonably abundant; second, that the nuts should be fit
to eat after they have been grown. These two considerations knock out
many varieties that have been highly touted.
_Filberts._ The Buchanan and its second generation seedlings have been
better filled and more productive than any of the European hazels.
Italian red comes next. Brixnut and Longfellow are strong, healthy
growers, but the former does not fill well and the latter bears
sparsely. Barcelona is out.
_Chinese chestnut._ Hobson, Carr, Zimmerman, Reliable. Hobson heads the
list as most precocious and productive. It requires a pollenizer. Carr
will bear partial crops without cross-pollination. Zimmerman is almost
as productive as Carr, but its need of cross-pollination is unknown to
me. Reliable is the smallest of the four, of high quality and a steady
bearer of moderate crops. Pollination requirements not known. (The
original Zimmerman sent me by Dr. Zimmerman was worthless. The present
Zimmerman, furnished me by Dr. Smith, is a satisfactory nut.)
_Japanese chestnut._ Austin is the best of the lot.
_Hybrid chestnut._ One of Dr. Colby's hybrids is promising but has not
been released and should not be listed without his permission. The
hybrid I have been selling as Stoke is a better nut than any of the
Japs, including Austin. A moderate producer of moderate crops of
beautiful, high quality nuts ripening the first of September. The
Government's S8 Van Fleet hybrid is a very prolific hybrid of rather
poor quality. It should be satisfactory for people who cook their
chestnuts. Mr. C. A. Reed should be consulted before listing. S8 will
outyield any chestnut I know of. Tree is less vigorous than Stoke and
more subject to blight.
_Black walnut._ Homeland, Creitz, Mintle, Thomas. Homeland is a local
nut and is unknown to the trade. It makes a poor test score, partly
because of its pointed shape, partly because of the plumpness and
tenderness of the kernel. It fills out much better than Thomas growing
beside it: bears moderate crops every year, both on the parent and on
grafted trees. It is a nice, upright, healthy grower; new growth tinged
with purple. I consider quality first class. Creitz bears regularly and
well; nuts very like Ohio but husks thin and it cleans much better.
Kernels apt to be shrivelled somewhat. Mintle good bearer, plumper than
Creitz, pellicle somewhat off color. Thomas does not fill so well,
especially if given much nitrogen, which Homeland will stand. Stabler
worthless here.
_English walnut._ Bedford, Lancaster, Payne, Franquette. Bedford is a
local nut found on an abandoned farm in Bedford County, Va. A regular
bearer of high quality nuts of the Mayette type. Blossoms late, a little
before Mayette and Franquette. The only one of fifteen varieties that I
have fruited that can be depended on to pollinize itself; medium size,
well sealed, cures well, no bitterness to pellicle, no "sticktite" nor
moldy nuts. Lancaster, very large, very vigorous tree, precocious,
prolific, quality of nuts good but not best; staminate blossoms early,
pistillate late. Requires a pollinizer. Franquette, Mayette and Bedford
should answer. Payne will not stand winter temperatures much below zero;
requires cross-pollination; needs seemingly met by Crath and Broadview.
Good nut of good size and quality, precocious and very prolific.
Moderate grower. Worst fault starts too early in spring. Good for south
and upper south. I forgot to mention that one of the worst faults of
Lancaster is that the nuts must be dried promptly on ripening; sometimes
the kernels mold before the nuts fall from the tree. Franquette should
rank with Bedford except that it usually bears poorly, although rarely
it bears a good crop. Always blossoms freely. Trouble seems to be
pollination. Bedford may be the answer; Mayette is not, and also bears
very poorly. King and Chambers, recommended by Carroll Bush as
pollinizers for Franquette, produce their staminates too early here.
Broadview is vigorous, precocious, prolific, large with a pellicle too
bitter for human consumption. Nuts sometimes spoil on the tree, like
Lancaster.
_Heartnut._ Like most English walnuts heartnuts blossom too early in the
spring and are usually killed back by late frosts here. Walters is the
only one that blossoms late enough to produce usually a crop.
I still think that a well-filled Sifford is the best black walnut I have
seen, but the parent tree generally produces poorly-filled nuts, and the
young trees have been very slow to come into bearing, so I have left it
off the list. Early defoliation appears to be the cause of poor filling
in wet seasons. When well filled it runs 32% kernel.
Any and all of the nuts listed, of all species, are perfectly
winter-hardy here, except that Payne English walnut was injured by a
temperature of 10 below zero some years ago. All English walnuts, except
Franquette and most seedling Chinese chestnuts lost their crops last
spring by a freeze May 5th. Hobson, Carr, Zimmerman and Reliable came
through with crops.