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Conservation of National Resources 



There are altruistic persons who not only believe in but practice 

 the planting of trees for the modifying effect they have on soil erosion, 

 moisture retention and climate, but, like the timber-growing phase of 

 planting, this is of secondary interest for the moment and will there- 

 fore not now be considered. 



Source of Food for Wild Life and Domestic Animals 

 Large tracts of land are frequently set aside by our State and Na- 

 tional Governments and tlienceforth maintained as vast refuges for 

 wild life. Provision is made for the growing' of such kinds of food as 

 is most acceptable to tlie birds and animals thus protected. The ques- 

 tion is now being raised by biologists as to kinds of nuts that might be 

 grown as a means of further attraction. This phase has been given no 

 particular thought by nut growers. Their chief concern is to repel 

 rather than attract such life, although no one knows whether or not 

 the insects destroyed by tlie birds in spring and summer would not 

 ruin more nuts than the birds themselves actually consume at harvest 

 time. This, too, as well as the matter of planting for food for domestic 

 animals, will be left for further discussion. 



How to Establish a Nut Planting 

 Anyone can plant a few nuts somewhere. No nuts should be planted 

 in poor, dry or wet soils. Preferably, unless they are to be trans- 

 planted, nuts should not be planteed when there is not abundant room 

 for a tree to grow to maturity without being crowded. Forestry 

 I)lantings can and should be spaced close together. Solid plantings are 

 usually allowed from four to six feet each way and later thinned out. 

 Orchard trees of such species as black walnut, Persian walnut and pecan 

 sliould have a minimum of ;)0 feet. Japanese walnut trees should have 

 40 or 50 feet, and chestnuts about the same. For filberts 20 feet is 

 believed to be enough. 



For nut production budded or grafted trees of promising varieties 

 are much to be preferred, but they are not always available nor within 

 the financial reach of everyone. Seedlings are better than none at 

 all. They may produce good new varieties, but if they should not they 

 can be top-worked. There are three or four nurseries from which stock 

 can be obtained of the most promising varieties and species now avail- 

 able from any source. Tlieir catalogues should be consulted and de- 



