CHESTNUT CULTURE IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. II3 



3ammang. 



Our native chestnut, although of unsurpassed flavor, is not desirable for general 

 culture because of the small sized nut, irregular and non-prolific bearing, damage by 

 weevils, and long time required to come into fruit. As a timber tree it is of recog- 

 nized value and responds readily to several systems of forest management. Many 

 varieties of chestnuts have been introduced from Europe and Japan, but of the large 

 number imported but few have been found which are suited to our climate or 

 possess commendable characters. Those retained are a valuable acquisition, and in 

 size, productivity and rapidity of growth, are far superior to our native chestnuts 

 for cultivated plantations. The Paragon, Numbo, and Ridgely of the European, 

 and the Alpha, Reliance, and Parry of the Japanese varieties, are the most valuable. 



Two general systems of chestnut culture are practiced, designated respectively 

 as the " chestnut orchard " and the "chestnut grove." The first is composed of 

 grafted seedlings set in orchard rows on cleared, usually improved, land. It offers 

 advantages of location, ease of cultural control, and greater freedom from insect 

 pests; but in general it is too expensive. The other system is an attempt to utilize 

 waste forest land for the production of nuts. By this system a natural forest, in 

 which the native chestnut is the predominant tree, is cut over, and the following 

 year the one-year-old sprouts which spring up from the stumps are grafted to 

 improved varieties. The Paragon stands first in general favor. In this system of 

 culture the whip or tongue method of grafting has proved most successful. Returns 

 from a grafted grove are early and the income large if no detrimental element enters. 

 Insects and fire are the worst enemies, the former being the most injurious and hard- 

 est to control. 



The American people have not yet learned the full value of chestnuts ; but it 

 seems probable that with a larger supply and an improved quality there will come a 

 better appreciation of their food value, and a greater demand. In many European 

 countries the chestnut has long been recognized as a cheap and nutritious food, and 

 as such is extensively used. Chestnut culture in the United States is truly in its 

 infancy as yet ; but interest is rapidly being awakened, and in the near future a 

 rapid advancement of the industry may be e.xpected. If followed for pleasure, few 

 branches of arboriculture possess greater fascination or offer a broader field for 

 experimental work. If conducted as a business enterprise for profit only, there is 

 offered a reasonably safe investment with quicker and higher returns than are assured 

 by any system of forest management, while but few branches of horticulture are 

 ccjually profitable. 

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