MIDSUMMER PAPERS. S3 



changes from a condition of dryness to tnoistiire, and hence is not so valuable 

 for posts and cross ties as many otlier species, but for other purposes, from 

 the tinest parlor decorations to the external finish of the roughest out-build- 

 ings, it stands without a jieer. » 



It is indigenous to our soil and perfectly hardly, not requiring acclimation; 

 it is comparatively free from the attacks of depredating insects; it grows rap- 

 idly into a tree of noble proportions. In the economy of ii:s nature it gathers 

 from tlie elements, and annually deposits through its decaying foliage, bark, 

 etc., a fund of wealth to the soil, that has, in Hoosier parlance, conferred on 

 it the title of "witness tree," it being regarded as a '^witness" to good soil. 

 It bears at an early age, and annually thereafter, full crops of nuts, that even 

 now possess a commercial value, equalling if not excelling the average value 

 of a grain crop, and in this parcicular, if in no other, yielding a yearly income 

 far above that of most if not all other trees that have been recommended for 

 artificial forestry. 



HOW TO PLANT AND CULTIVATE. 



All nut-bearing trees are difficult to transplant. This is due to the fact of 

 their invariably starting from the germ with a strong radical or tap-root, 

 which is apt to be seriously cut back in digging. On this account nurserymen 

 avoid the culture, and especially the recommendation, of nut-bearing trees. 

 One of the principal elements of popularity of the Oatalpa Speciosa, and one, 

 no doubt, which prompts many fabulous statements concerning its extreme 

 durability, is due to the ease of propagation and facility and almost absolute 

 certainty of success attending its transplanting. This has also given unmer- 

 ited reputation and prominence to numerous other trees of far less value than 

 the black walnut, or even the Catalpa Speciosa. But, fortunately, what would 

 be an objection to the black walnut Avhen viewed from the nurseryman's 

 standpoint, that of self-interest, is really one of its desirable qualities. It is 

 not necessary that you should have your trees furnished ready made by other 

 parties. You can grow your own black walnuts, and that too without risk of 

 loss or the back-aching labor of transplanting. Prepare your ground by 

 breaking and harrowing in the fall. Furrow it off each way as you would for 

 corn, except that the rows should be about seven feet apart. Take the nuts 

 fresh from the trees, it is not necessary that they should be hulled, placing 

 two nuts in each crossing. This is to insure getting a good stand. The nuts 

 should be covered very shallow, just enough earth to hide them. In the 

 spring the land should be furrowed midway between the rows of nuts, and 

 the spaces planted with corn or potatoes. Cultivate as you would a corn crop 

 by cross plowing, being careful to give the young trees a fair chance and good 

 clean culture. The second spring thin out your plants to one tree to the hill. 

 If there are spaces entirely missing, they may be iilled by transplanting from 

 the hills containing duplicates. The second and perhaps the third year it will 

 pay to cultivate corn between the rows, after which the trees should be regu- 

 larly cultivated until they fully occupy the ground so as to keep down by their 

 shade all weeds and grass. The period at which cultivation may be discon- 

 tinued cannot be definitely stated, as much will depend upon the character of 

 the seasons and quality of the soil. Of course seven feet each way will be too 

 close for permanent trees, but as they will protect each other when small and 

 make much better growth, it is preferable to have them closely planted. 

 When they begin to crowd the alternate trees in each row may be removed. 

 The trees thus removed will be of sufficient size to be useful in various ways 



