ORCHARD FRUITS 315 



eastern Asia, and is cultivated all over southern Europe 

 and middle Asia. It probably came to America from 

 England. 



Walnuts are grown very largely in southern California, 

 but do well in the Sierra foothills and the Coast ranges. 

 They are often grafted on the native or the black walnut stock. 



Both almonds and walnuts, after their outside hulls have 

 been taken or have fallen off, are usually of darker tint than 

 is desired. They are therefore bleached, either by burning 

 sulphur, like other fruits, or are dipped into bleaching fluids, 

 which make them lighter colored and more uniform. But 

 this bleaching must be carefully done, for nuts that are slightly 

 cracked will get the bleach inside and have the kernel spoiled. 



The oil in nuts becomes rancid after a while, and makes 

 them unfit to eat. They will usually not keep sweet more 

 than a year. 



The pecan nut is at home on the moist bottom lands of the 

 southern Mississippi Valley states, notably Louisiana and 

 Texas, where rains are abundant throughout the year. It is 

 there a tall, beautiful tree, and bears abundantly. It has 

 not thus far been very successful in California, although some 

 good trees are found here and there. 



The filbert, or large European hazelnut, much seen in 

 our markets, is not as yet grown to any extent on the Pacific 

 Coast; although the fact that a native hazel grows on the 

 Coast ranges would seem to show that it should succeed 

 well. It deserves further trial. 



The chestnut tree has not thus far been grown very much 

 on the Pacific Coast. In its native region (Europe and the 

 southeastern states) it dislikes limy soils, such as we have for 

 the most part, and it likes moisture. 



