THE HLACK WAI.NL'T. IGl 



WILL IT PAY TO GROW THE BLACK WALNUT? 



J. K. CUMMINS, KDEN rk'AIK'Ii:. 



The nortlierii limits of the imtive growth of tlie black walnut (Ju- 

 jjlaus ni^ra) in this -state are alon<^ the Cannon river, and thence 

 southwesterly throug^h Blue Karth county. At Miller's lake, Dahl- 

 gren, T. 115, K.'J4, in Carver county, the black walnut was found 

 when the country was first settled in 1855-(). It is doubtful whether 

 the black walnut has ever been found elsewhere north of the Min- 

 nesota river growing- w^ild. 



These limits can by cultivation and planting northern grown 

 seed, be extended northward very much. If the conditions which 

 restrict its growth further northward are considered, it will be seen 

 that it is not so much one of temperature, since the mercury, with very 

 little difference, falls as much below zero on the Cannon river and 

 through Blue Karth count)' as it does one or two hundred miles fur- 

 ther north; but, that it is one of moisture, soil and cultivation and, as 

 with the apple cultivation produces the conditions favorable for a 

 profitable yield beyond the bounds made by nature, so also can we 

 njore reasonably expect that the black walnut, since it ia already 

 acclimated in the southern one-third of the state, will make a profit- 

 able growth probably to the northern boundary, except in localities 

 where earlj' and heavy frosts prevail. The experience of the last 

 3'ear or two has proved bejond a doubt that apples, grapes, plums 

 and raspberries are by cultivation practically under control against 

 the effects of drought. On the other hand, we must admit that 

 cultivation alone will not give on the uplands of the state gene- 

 rally the conditions favorable to a profitable yield of strawberries 

 and blackberries or among vegetables, celery. The walnuts grown 

 in this state will produce trees better adapted to stand the winter 

 climate and also the frequent droughts, while those from Illinois 

 and further east are very liable to be injured b}- droughts and low 

 temperature. 



The soil most favorable for growing the walnut is a black loam, 

 naturally moist, with chi}' subsoil. However, there are few soils, 

 excepting the sandy, but where the walnut could be grown with 

 cultivation; and for a paying product, a careful and continued cul- 

 tivation must be given. Weeds and grass, with droughts, do not 

 favor profitable yields of anj' crop or product, and the walnut will 

 not be found to be an exception. The land for a walnut grove 

 should be well plowed in the spring and planted with a hoed crop, 

 and before i)lunting in the fall the land should be well manured and 

 plowed deeply'. Two-year or three-year old trees can be set out in 

 the spring, or the nuts can be planted about four inches deep where 

 the grove is to grow the last of October or in November before the 

 ground becomes frozen. This may be the better way, but the black 

 walnut can be as safely replanted as other trees. The rows should be 

 twenty feet apart, as this admits of four rows of potatoes or beans, 

 or five rows of carrots, three feet apart, between each two rows of 

 trees. The nuts intended for planting shouhl be left in a dry place 

 through October, so that they should be partly dried and planted 



