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PROGRESS REPORT ON NUT CULTURE IX CANADA 



J (IS. A. Neilson, M. S., Extension Horticulturist, Horticultural 

 E.rperiment Station, J'ineland, Ontario 



During the season of 1923-24 there has been a marked increase in 

 the interest shown in the culture of nut bearing trees in all parts of 

 • Canada where nut trees can be grown. This is indicated by the num- 

 erous letters of enquiry and personal'requests for information on nut 

 culture which have been received by our Station. A total of 450 let- 

 ters were received or sent out by our office during the past year besides 

 numerous enquiries answered by a personal visit. 



The search for good nut trees has resulted in some interesting ad- 

 ditions to the data presented in the i>aper published in the last report. 

 One of the most gratifj'ing features of this phase of the work has been 

 the discovery of* se\eral new localities where the European filbert is 

 growing successfully. It has been located or reported at twenty 

 widely separate points in Ontario, the northermost of which is on Wolf 

 Island at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River in approximately 44,100 

 N. Lat. This plantation is said to have been established before 1840 

 •nid would therefore be nearly 90 years old. Another interesting point 

 in connection with filberts is the amazing way in which they thrive 

 under conditions of absolute neglect. Several of the plantations ob- 

 served during the past year were not given the slightest attention and 

 yet were doing' very nicely. Obviously this is not good practice but 

 it would seem to indicate that excellent results couW be secured in 

 Southern Ontario by the proper choice of varieties and the best cultural 

 methods. This survey also showed that the sweet chestnut grew as far 

 north as Georgian Bay. 



The prize nut contest staged by our office last autumn resulted in 

 the discovery of some very good black walnuts and a fine Japanese 

 heartnut. Samples of these are shown in some of the plates on the 

 table. 



The Persian walnut was found to have a wider distribution and. is 

 more abundant in Ontario than was expected when our nut survey 

 began. About 150 bearing trees have been located in that part of 

 Ontario extending from Toronto on Lake Ontario to Goderich on Lake 

 Huron. This number of .course will seem insig'nificant in comparison 



