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NUT GROWING IN MISSOURI 

 By Prof. T. J. Talhert, Dept. of Horticulture, Univ. of Mo. 



Few realize the opportunities for the culture of the native nuts of 

 Missouri for home consumption and the commercial markets. Neither is 

 it generally known that Missouri ranks first in the production of 

 black walnuts and black walnut lumber. Missouri also takes high 

 rank in the production of the pecan^ the most universall}' grown nut 

 tree in America, the principal groves being located along the Missis- 

 sippi and Missouri rivers. But few, if any states, all factors con- 

 sidered, are better adapted to the production of these nuts. We have 

 been too much interested in jiroducing fruits, grain crops and mules 

 to give this wholesome and nutritious food the consideration which it 

 demands. Worst of all we have ruthlessly destroyed in many instances 

 the beautiful, productive and valuable nut groves throughout the state. 



Someone has said that the groves were God's first temples. This 

 statement must have referred to the Missouri walnut, hickory, pecan, 

 and chinquapin groves, because there are none greater or finer to be 

 found anywhere. The shell and shag bark hickory nuts, white walnut 

 (butternut), hazel nuts and c'hinkapins, are native and common to 

 many sections of the state. These nuts are hardy and productive under 

 Missouri conditions. Their flavor and quality is unsurpassed. Mis- 

 souri can boast of as great or a greater range in native nut production 

 than any other state. The nuts mentioned may also be grown success- 

 fully and ))rofitably in all of the 114 counties of the state. 



Value of Nut Trees on the Far 



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Nut trees on the farm are valuable for not only their fruit and lum- 

 ber but they provide sliade and protection for live stock, crops, and 

 the farmstead. They are also o'bjects of beauty, and' enhance the ap- 

 pearance of the landscape. They may be grown profitably and suc- 

 cessfully on lands which are not suitable on account of rouglmess, odd 

 shape, steepness, gullying, or being an out of the way place. The 

 trees are also generally easy to procure and start. Tlieir culture is 



