The original planting stock of the Chinese chestnut as grown in the
United States consisted wholly of seed nuts imported direct from the
Orient. It was therefore, inevitable that a period of seedling
development should follow. The great majority of the earliest trees
grown proved unfit for use as potential varieties, although with some
exceptions, they produced nuts that were sweet and palatable. Since the
middle 'thirties, superior strains have been introduced, cultural and
environmental requirements have become better understood, and the
outlook for commercial orchards is much improved.
To a great extent the seedling has served as well as would a grafted
tree for the pioneer experimental work that had to be done. It has been
far better than no tree at all and even now it has its advantages. With
it there is no expense for grafting, no problems of congeniality between
stock and scion and those of cross pollination are held at a minimum.
Moreover, it must not be forgotten that it is only from seedling trees
that superior varieties are possible. In 1946, the year in which this
paper is being written, very few grafted trees are available from any
source.