77 



GROWING NUTS IN ILLINOIS FOR PLEASURE 



AND PROFIT 



Dr. A. S. Colby, i'nu'ersiti/ of Illinois, Ur'nina, Illinois 



Until very recently nut growing has been a greatly neglected 

 branch of horticulture. An increasing interest is now being shown 

 in tl;e growing of nuts in Illinois. Part of this interest has been 

 aroused by reports of the commercially profitable nut industry in the 

 South where the so-called "paper shell" pecan is grown^ or in the ex- 

 treme West, where extensive orchards of the Persian (English) wal- 

 nut are found. The quiet but effective work of the late Mr. E. A. 

 Riehl of Alton, George W. Endicott of Villa Ridge, and Benjamin 

 Buckman of Farmingdale in growing chestnuts with profit on a 

 commercial scale is gradually being recognized as valuable evidence 

 in showing the possibilities in this new field of Illinois horticulture. 

 -Many are asking whether these nuts can be grown in Illinois either 

 about the home or on a commercial scale as other fruits are grown. 



Many native nut trees bearing edible nuts are to be found scattered 

 over the state but comparatively little attention has been paid to them, 

 the general sentiment being that better varieties were available from 

 outside. W^hile this is in some cases true, there is danger in importing 

 species not adapted to our locality. It is, therefore, highly important 

 that an intelligent interest be aroused looking toward the conservation 

 and improvement and profitable culture of our native nut trees as well 

 as the introduction of desirable varieties from other countries. 



In order to study the whole situation with reference to the needs 

 and possibilities of nut growing in Illinois, a general survey of the 

 occurrence and distribution of native and introduced nut trees in this 

 state is being made by the writer. Considerable valuable information 

 has been very kindly furnished regarding the nut trees native to the 

 state by Mr. R. B. Miller, State Forester, from his extensive records. 

 Dr. L. H. Smith and assistants in the Soil Survey work in tlie College 



