92 A TREATISE ON NUT CULTURE. 



aging, principally on account of the plants being attacked by a fungus or blight 

 which destroys the plant. 



^ e Hazel ma y be propagated by seed, layers, suckers, 

 cuttings, or by grafting. They grow very readily from 

 cuttings or layers, which is probably the best means of propagation. 



For fruiting orchard, a light loam, with dry subsoil, will give best results. 

 Strong, rich or wet land produces an excessive growth of wood with but little 

 fruit, and also renders them more liable to blight. 



In England, where the Hazel is a very important crop, the nuts are gathered 

 just before fully ripe, and marketed in the husks. They are generally used for 

 table purposes only, though an oil resembling olive oil is sometimes expressed 

 from it. In other parts of Europe it is used in various ways, some making 

 bread from it as from Chestnuts. 



The American Hazel grows naturally through the Middle and New England 

 States, in the Mississippi Valley, and on the Pacific Slope. 



The Hazels are very free from insect enemies, though a nut weevil is 

 reported 011 the American species. 



Varieties ^ tlle * on & ^ st ^ Hazelnuts introduced in this country 



I give some of the most promising. 



Bond Nut. Husk hairy and short ; nut of medium size, oblong ; shell thin ; 

 kernel large ; very productive. 



Cosford Thin-Shelled. Husk hairy; nut large, oblong; 

 shell of light brown color, very thin ; kernel large and 

 excellent ; ripens early and is very productive. 



Kentish Cob (Lambert}. Husk nearly smooth ; nut large, 

 oblong and slightly compressed ; shell rather thick, of brown 

 color ; kernel full and rich. A very valuable nut. 



KENTISH COB. 



The Hickory is a noble tree of large size and handsome form, with com- 

 pound serrate leaves, with an odd number of leaflets varying in number and 

 arranged on opposite sides of the leaf stalk. They produce their male and 

 female flowers together, developed from one bud. The male flowers are slen- 

 der, pendulous, in clusters of three, issuing from the base of the terminal bud 

 of the previous season's growth. Female flowers form on the end of the new 

 growth, from which the nuts are produced. 



