40 OREGON WALNUTS 



been able to sell their nuts without grading, but as the crop in- 

 creases, grading should be established, and probably will be 

 demanded by the purchaser. Generally, at least two sizes are 

 made. First, those nuts which will not pass through a one-inch 

 mesh; and, second, those which will pass through a mesh not 

 larger than one inch and not smaller than three-fourths of an 

 inch. 



There are mechanical contrivances for doing this grading. 

 Buyers will often crack one hundred nuts taken at random from 

 various sacks, and if about ninety per cent of these are well 

 selected, are of the proper color, and properly dried, they will 

 generally purchase them as first class nuts. 



After the nuts have been graded, they should be stored until 

 marketed, and should be kept in a cool, dry place. For market- 

 ing they can be put up in the small cartons, or can be sacked in 

 gunny sacks holding about fifty pounds. 



Variety. 



The question of the best variety, or varieties, to plant is a 

 very important one, and it is the hardest question for us to at- 

 tempt to answer in Oregon at this time. This is due to the fact 

 that such a small percentage of our orchards have reached full 

 bearing. 



We have not, as yet, secured the ideal nut, perhaps we never 

 will. We need one which should approach the following stand- 

 ard: of good size, tightly sealed, handsome color, and not too 

 rough. The shell should be just thick enough to stand han- 

 dling. The kernel should fill the shell thoroughly, should be 

 heavy and have a light pellicle. The variety should be a good 

 pollen producer, a vigorous grower, and free from blight. 

 These are just a few r characteristics that come to my mind off- 

 hand. There are doubtless others. Possibly it is too much to 

 expect all in one nut. To use the familiar idiom, we should 

 certainly be getting everything in a nut shell. 



At the present time, the Franquette seems to be the best nut 

 we have, and the Mayette is very promising. These two are the 

 most desirable varieties at the present time. Undoubtedly, 

 however, we should obtain one or two very favorable strains of 



