37 



conditions. Our success in the propagation of the black walnut has 

 been unusually good. Native black walnut trees of all ages have been 

 successfully propagated b}^ cleft grafting. Bearing trees which have 

 been top worked or cleft grafted for five or six years generally pro- 

 duce as large a bearing surface and as many nuts as unworked seed- 

 ling trees of the same size and age. Our grafting and budding work 

 has not been so successful with hickories and pecans. In general we 

 have found that the native seedling hickories and pecans are most 

 profitably changed to improved or better varieties by budding during 

 June and July. 



Much information regarding the propagation, cultivation, fertiliza- 

 tion, and varieties, has been obtained and it is hoped that this may 

 be printed in bulletin form for the benefit of Missouri growers some 

 time during the coming year. 



We do not look upon this nut project as the most valuable of the 

 Experiment Station, yet we do not believe it to be the least valuable. 

 This is true because upon practically every Missouri farm there is 

 ample space for the planting of nut trees, or there may be seedling 

 walnuts, hickories and pecans which can be greatly improved for nut 

 jjroduction by graftage without the loss of timber. Such nuts should 

 not only be of great value for home consumption but a substantial 

 source of income. Our improved native nut trees should produce large 

 quantities of wholesome and nutritious food, supply valuable lumber, 

 enhance the farm income, and beautify the landscape. 



A Member: What method do you usually use in j^lanting your 

 trees, in prejjaring the ground for putting them in; do you use dyna- 

 mite } 



Mr. Talbert: We do not. We prejaare it just as we would pre- 

 pare it for a good wheat or corn crop, by plowing it deep and working 

 it up in good shape and for jNLissouri conditions we find that generally 

 late fall or early winter plowing is better than spring plowing. But 

 we try to make a good seed bed. Regarding dynamiting, we have 

 not found it beneficial. Some say, If we have a real hard pan would 

 it not be advisable to use dvnamite? I sav. If you have such a hard 

 ground as ^hat, it is no place to plant a nut tree or apple tree. 



