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where the kernel is as small as this. In many instances it is very 

 much larger. If the size is satisfactory the kernel is then eaten, 

 only those bushes having well flavored kernels being taken. If all 

 tests are satisfactory the cloth is removed and a wooden label put 

 on the bush which is then dug. The nuts are removed from the 

 bush and put in a paper bag labeled the same as the bush ; the bush 

 is cut back to about 6'' in height and then put in a sack or other con- 

 venient means for keeping moist till it can be put into the ground. 



The gathering of the above mentioned trees in a small com- 

 pass and closely observing them have enabled me to make a num- 

 ber of observations which may be of interest. 



Fertility of Soil: The importance of this was shown strikingly 

 in the case of a lot of Japan walnuts received in the spring of 1918. 

 They were quite large and seemingly never had been transplanted 

 and were dug with small roots. For lack of a better place they 

 were set in sod ground which had not been cultivated or fertilized 

 for many years. They eked out a miserable existence during the 

 years 1918 and 1919. During the spring of 1920, I put chickens in 

 that patch and an improvement was noted that year but this year 

 practically every tree has grown six feet or more. The manure of 

 the chickens and the thorough cultivation of the soil caused by their 

 scratching have certainly worked wonders. While I do not minimize 

 the efifect of clean cultivation, I am inclined to believe that abun- 

 dant plant food is the really important thing, for a goose watering 

 pan under a tree pushes the tree along at a remarkable rate, and 

 geese never scratch. They do keep the grass closely cropped, supply 

 an abundance of manure, and the watering pan puts the plant food 

 where the trees can get it. 



Pruning: The importance of severely cutting back was strik- 

 ingly shown this spring. A butternut raised from a nut in a lot of 

 " Virginia " butternuts, bought in a nut store and which had out- 

 grown every other tree in that lot and which I believe to be a Japan 

 walnut butternut hybrid was transplanted this spring. Care was 

 taken to get as much of the roots as possible and practically all were 

 obtained ; good soil was taken to fill in around the roots. Over the 

 half of the branches were removed but the five highest ones were not 

 shortened. This tree has not grown as well this year as some others 

 not as vigorous and set in poorer soil but where all branches were 

 cut back severely. Were this the first time I had noticed this, I 

 might have considered it an isolated case, but the need of severe 

 pruning was emphasized even in this case where I hardly expected it 

 to show on account of the tremendous natural vigor of the tree 

 which was transplanted, and the ideal conditions under which the 

 transplanting was done. 



Varieties: I get frequent requests from persons who want to 

 know the best variety of this nut or that nut with the idea of plant- 



