76 



ing this fall. The unusually cold and rainy weather last March and 

 April (the hlooming season of the filberts) I believe is the cause of 

 the light crop. No pollen was seen blowing in the nursery last spring 

 — altogether too wet. 



On two of my varieties, Burkhard's Zeller and Medium Long the 

 catkins were frozen. They kept growing and tender on account of the 

 rainy season until the real cold weather was actually upon them. 

 But an off year should not discourage planting filberts. We have 

 from time to time the same experience with 'almost all fruit, but for that 

 reason we do not give up growing it. 



T do not understand why so few people are interested enough to 

 invest in filbert planting, when plants of tlie best varieties are and 

 have been available at very moderate prices for years, and the assur- 

 ance of their bearing quite well proven so many times. 



It is true a good deal has been said about planting filbert orchards, 

 and ])erhaps as much written about this matter also, but without avail. 

 So far very little has been accomplished. I really believe a little 

 less talk and a little more action would be more beneficial to the whole 

 ))roblem. 



The planting of filbert orchards does not require a great outlay 

 of money, as two year old plants of the best varieties can be bought for 

 fiftj' or seventy five cents each f. o. b. shipping point. 



If land of good sandy loam is available all the better, as such 

 land is what all filberts prefer, but ordinary farmhand, if not too heavy 

 nor too wet, will answer verj^ well. Filberts or hazel plants are 

 not so very particular as to the choice of the soil. The land in my 

 nursery is rather heavy and wet, but I grow fine young plants on it and, 

 under the circumstances, satisfactory nut crops. 



I can conscientiously recommend the planting of not only filbert 

 orchards, but also the planting of a few kinds in every garden, where 

 they certainly are an ornament and a source of pleasure throughout 

 the year, with the foliage and fruit in the summer and the catkins in 

 winter. 



In setting out a filbert orcbard my advice would be to set about 1 50 

 plants to the acre, one square rod to each and not, as heretofore has 



