HICKORY NUTS. 195 



could be readily utilized for growing hickory timber, 

 and much of such lands is almost useless for other pur- 

 poses ; but timber culture and forestry is a subject 

 which I have discussed elsewhere,* while the object of 

 this work is to aid my readers in producing something that 

 may be utilized as food. When the hundreds and thou- 

 sands" of miles of our public highways are shaded with 

 hickory and other nut-bearing trees of the best species 

 and varieties, it will be time enough to begin planting 

 such kinds elsewhere. As roadside trees they cannot 

 fail to be profitable, largely enhancing the value of ad- 

 joining land ; for in addition to being equally as orna- 

 mental as other kinds, they yield fruit always in demand 

 at remunerative prices. The three species of the hick- 

 ory and their varieties recommended for cultivation all 

 thrive best in moist soils, but by occasional watering or 

 thorough mulching they will succeed almost anywhere, 

 especially in naturally dry locations. 



Insect Enemies. The hickories, as with all other 

 nut-bearing trees, have numerous insect enemies, but 

 these are neither so numerous nor destructive as to seri- 

 ously interfere with their growth in general, or with 

 their productiveness. Insects may occasionally become 

 exceedingly numerous in certain localities for a few 

 years, then suddenly or slowly disappear; but this we 

 must expect, as one of the coexisting phases of all agri- 

 cultural pursuits. 



Collectively the hickories have no considerable num- 

 ber of destructive insect enemies, but if we count all the 

 species of the various orders that have been found occa- 

 sionally, or otherwise, feeding on the leaves, buds, fruit, 

 twigs, bark, or boring in the solid wood, they make a 

 very formidable list of names, or about one hundred and 

 seventy-five in all ; but fully ninety per cent of these 



* Practical Forestry. 



