86 



a cross between tlie shagbark and the shell bark and is a promising one. 



The Mockerniit and Bitternut 



These two liickories are found growing quite generally over the 

 state. They appear to adapt themselves to their environment, growing 

 both in the low lands and upland or prairie types of soil. The nuts 

 are medium in size and of little value for human food. 



The bitternut is chiefly valuable as a parent in hybridizing with 

 the shagbark hickory. 



The pure sh.agbark, while it bears nuts of fine flavor, is of such 

 slow growth that it is recommended by J. F. Jones of Lancaster, 

 Pennsylvania (one of the best known nut nurserymen) to plant hybrid 

 varieties from the shagbark-bitternut cross. He says that these hybrids 

 are rapid growers and bear excellent crops in six years from grafts. 

 These nuts inherit their thin shell and thick meat from the bitternut 

 parent with the good qualit}^ of the shagbark. Mr. Jones recommends 

 the Beaver variety from Pennsylvania, the Fairbanks from Iowa and 

 the Laney from New York. 



The American Beech 



This beautiful tree is found widely distributed, often being found 

 on tl;e prairie as well as in the dry sandy regions. It is a common 

 tree on high ground, althougih it is sometimes found at much lower 

 levels. It has not been commonly thought of as a nut bearing tree, 

 since it is of slow growth and does not bear early or regularly. Al- 

 though the nuts are of excellent quality, they are too small for general 

 use. It is possible that they may be improved. It is understood that 

 the tree does not take kindly to domestication and special pains are 

 necessary in transplanting. 



The American Hazel 



This species grows wild throughout the state. A moderately rich, 

 well drained soil and favorable climatic conditions such as freedom 

 from mild ):)eriods in winter and no late frosts in spring are require- 

 ments for the successful culture of the hazel. Both staminate and 

 pistillate catkins develop in fall and are ready to open with the ap- 

 proach of mild weather in winter or early spring. The planting of 

 different varieties to provide cross pollination is essential. No de- 



