34 



timCj propagation methods, and be able to produce high grade profit- 

 able trees. 



Since nut trees do not usually come true from seed, this method of 

 propagation c^innot be relied upon. The grower is likely to secure 

 from seed as many different kinds of sorts as seeds planted. And 

 rarely is a seedling as good as our named and cultivated varieties. 

 Where the farmer is capable of doing his own budding and grafting 

 seedling trees may be grown as stocks for improved sorts. 



Value of Good Xiit Trees 



The work of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, as 

 well as that of many other experiment stations, has shown conclu- 

 sively that large, growthy, vigorous young nut trees are usually much 

 more likely to succeed and become profitable, than weakly, stunted, 

 slow-growing stock. It is false economy, therefore, for the farmer 

 to buy or use for plinting, inferior nut trees. Too much emphasis can- 

 not be placed upon this matter as the success of nut groves may de- 

 pend largely upon the vigor and health of the trees used for trans- 

 planting. 



Culture of Nut Trees 



Like the culture of deciduous fruit trees, nut trees to be a success, 

 should be planted on rich, deep, well drained soils. Soils too poor or 

 not drained well enough to produce good truck or grain crops should 

 not be used for tlie culture of nut trees. After the trees are planted 

 they should receive good cultivation, consisting of hoeing or plowing — 

 or both — at intervals through the spring and early summer, in order 

 to keep down grass and weeds. 



Where there is not sufficient fertility to produce a good strong 

 growth, fertilizers should be added. The best fertilizer in general for 

 nut trees is barnyard manure. This should be used during the winter, 

 or in the early spring as growth is starting. It may be placed around 

 the trunks of young trees where it is scarce at the rate of a half dozen 

 to a dozen shovels full. In order to prevent making a harbor for field 

 mice which may girdle young trees, it is well to place the manure from 

 twelve to sixteen inches away from the trunks of the trees. A\nien 

 apiDlied to the soil, manure should be worked in by hoeing and plowing. 

 Regular cultivations afterward to maintain the soil moisture and make 



