MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 409 



enoogb. The nuts of the Spanish are as large again as the native ones, 

 and so find a ready sale in market. It is the old story of large size 

 <;atching the popular eye in preference to the smaller but sweeter ones. 

 By the one plautiog for a market this popular demand has to be recogn- 

 ized. Hence, efforts have been made to perpetuate varieties of the 

 Spanish which have proved to be hardy or hardier than common, and 

 we have the Numboand the Paragon in consequence — two good, hardy 

 varieties of the Spanish, which are now getting common in cultivation. 

 It would be better to set out some of these than of seedlings of the 

 common Spanish unless where the climate is somewhat milder than it 

 is in this State. Were I planting simply for my own use, it would be 

 of our native sort, for certainly the Spanish, large nut as it is, is not 

 nearly of as good a Havor. There is another species, though, that I 

 would want to plant some of, and that is the Japanese. This has 

 large fruit, as large or larger than the Spanish, and perhaps of rather 

 better flavor, while still being inferior to the native sort. But I would 

 plant it for its early bearing qualities. I have seen burrs on seedlings 

 but four years old, and on trees but five to six feet high ; it is not at all 

 uncommon to see them. These burrs are not abortive ones, but con- 

 tain edible nuts. Besides these good qualities in its favor, it has also 

 to its credit the fact that it is but a medium-sized tree when full grown. 

 This enables it to be grown in quite small gardens, where neither of 

 the other two could be attempted. It is my opinion that there is a 

 ;great future for this chestnut. I have written of its merits several 

 times, and hope some of those who are planting for a market for nuts 

 will be alive to their interests and plant this. Let me add that it is far 

 hardier than the Spanish. Just what part of Japan it occupies I do 

 not know, probably the colder part of it. I have seen thousands of 

 its seedlings raised here from seed sent from Japan. I have never 

 seen one of them the least injured, nor have I yet heard that any of 

 those sent to surrounding states have suffered in the least. As the 

 public desire nuts of a large size and this sort gives them, and gives 

 them quickly, it is the one to plant. Just how large a tree it makes in 

 its native home I do not know, butit4s evidently fitted to take its place 

 in gardens which will accommodate the pear or the plum. 



There is a fourth species of chestnut known to some persons. The 

 Army of the Potomac knew of it, for the soldiers used to gather the 

 nuts in Maryland and Virginia. It is the Chinquapin, a bushy sort, 

 growing as a shrub, and which produces nuts of a black, shiny color 

 of hull. The kernels are very sweet. It is perfectly hardy and can be 

 grown either as a shrub or in groves in thicket shape. It bears fruit 

 when but three feet in height. Joseph Meehan, Pennsylvania. 



