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wild throughout the length and breadth of the state where soil con- 

 ditions are suitable. This species, is ad^apted to a deep, moist but well 

 drained soil such as is usually found in the so-called prairie types in 

 Illinois. The soil must be rich for best results as the walnut is a very 

 heavy feeder. 



Its chief commercial importance has, in the past, resulted from the 

 excellent qualities of the wood. This was used for many purposes 

 ranging from fence rails to the finest cabinet work. Many trees 

 have been cut for the lumber which should have been left to bear nuts. 



Quite recently improved horticultural varieties of the black walnut 

 such as the Thomas and Stabler have been found and are being propa- 

 gated and sold for general planting. Considerable interest has been 

 taken in the commercial possibilities of the black walnut especially in 

 southern Illinois. The late Mr. E. A. Riehl of Alton, the best in- 

 formed man in the state on the growing of nuts, told the writer in 

 1925 that he cracked out ten pounds of meats to the bushel of Thomas 

 black walnuts and could' not supply the demand of the trade at a sale 

 price of one dollar a pound. Commercial cracking machinery just 

 placed on the market cracks the meats much more easily and cheaply 

 than it was formerly done by hand. 



The named varieties sell for higher prices because of their easier 

 cracking quality, larger size and better flavor. The kernels of the 

 black walnut are the most desirable for many purposes especially in 

 cooking and candy making. The black walnut is the only nut meat 

 which retains its full flavor upon cooking. The meat is more palatable 

 and ligliter in color if the nuts are allowed to cure properly and the 

 husk is removed from the shell before it stains the meat a dark color. 

 ^^'ith the possibilities of increased consumption of nuts as food practi- 

 cally unlimited, there is a bright future for the black walnut industrj' 

 ill tliis state. 



A number of interested fruit growers in Union and Pulaski Counties 

 are top working seedling walnut trees, growing on hillsides, in pasture 

 land or other out of the way places, to desirable varieties. They use 

 a modified bark graft as a rule. It is usually safer to cut back the 

 tree a few days before it is to be top worked and then to protect the 

 young scion for a few weeks after grafting by covering it with a 

 jiaper bag. The vigorously growing scion should be supported the 

 first season by tying it to a lath which has been fastened to the stock. 



