188 Appendix. 



^rown from first generation nuts as those from grafted trees, but also 

 found that both kinds have some small nuts as well as extra large 

 nuts, which led me again to study that point, and have reached the 

 conclusion that the difference in size is due to pollination and starvation. 



When in the spring the pistillate blossoms appear, they usually come 

 in pairs, and generally are of equal size until they reach the size of 

 peas, when quite frequently one of them forges ahead in growth and 

 vigor by being better pollinated; being stronger uses more nourishment, 

 or, in other words, the smaller one is starved, makes little growth and 

 in consequence produces a smaller nut. If both are equally well pollin- 

 ated the nuts will be of the ^ame size; hence we find three sizes on 

 each tree. It seems to be the law of nature — "The survival of the fittest." 



In most instances trees were planted instead of nuts, the reason for 

 which is, that nuts of proper variety and generation could not be 

 obtained, as is possible now. Even the nuts I imported from France 

 proved very unsatisfactory as to size and quality. However, in the 

 absence of the right variety and generation of nuts, I see no good reason 

 why one should not plant trees. Better plant trees known to be of the 

 desired generation and variety, than not plant at all. 



HOW TO SPROUT NUTS. 



There are no doubt many planters who prefer to plant the nut where 

 the tree is to grow, and for their especial benefit I repeat the modus 

 operandi. The nuts for this purpose must be secured in the fall before 

 they are dried, and be of first generation; either from original trees or 

 grafted trees, known to be true as to that point, else you will be dis- 

 appointed when the trees come into bearing. Fill some boxes six inches 

 with light soil and sand mixed, then put in the nuts, pointed end up, 

 about one inch apart; cover three or four inches deep, and place the 

 boxes out of reach of rats, squirrels, and gophers, keeping the soil 

 moist. On examination in the early part of April you will find all 

 sound nuts have sprouted, that is, the nuts throw up two sprouts from 

 the pointed end; one of these sprouts turns down over the nut and 

 forms the taproot; the other sprout continues upward and forms the 

 tree. Now remove them very carefully, as these sprouts are brittle and 

 easily broken, which would make the plant worthless. Plant them either 

 where you wish the tree to grow (by far the best way) or in nursery 

 rows, about five inches deep. The young tree should be allowed to grow 

 straight up, cutting away all side branches until the tree has reached 

 a height of six feet, when it should be allowed to branch out, but under 

 no consideration should the main stem be cut off. 



GENERATIONS. 



The reason I emphasize the fact of securing only nuts of first gener- 

 ation is obvious, but as "generations" is not clearly understood I will 

 explain, so that no possible mistake can be made: Fii'st generation nuts 

 are produced on the original trees, or on trees grafted from the original 



