44 THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



and a shoot should be retained on the stock opposite to where the scion is to be fixed. 

 Inarching is performed in the manner described on page 136, Vol. I. 



Situation and Soil. The walnut tree does not succeed in cold, elevated, exposed 

 sites. It is said to be quite hardy as far north as Edinburgh, in sheltered situations, 

 Deep sandy loams suit the walnut, hot dry sands and parching gravels being worthless. 

 Calcareous soils of good depth and perfect drainage produce excellent nuts, whilst 

 thin loam over limestone or chalk neither favours growth nor fruit; stiff loams on 

 gravel answer well, provided the site is sheltered and sunny ; but heavy, wet soils are 

 unsuitable. 



Planting. The walnut tree has elegant leafage and a large spreading head quite as 

 much in diameter as its height, 40 to 60 feet, and is given a place in parks for ornament 

 and use. Single trees should have a clear space of 60 feet, and in rich deep soil 80 feet 

 is not too much room. Excavations should be made 8 feet in diameter, trenching the 

 ground 2 feet deep, and if the soil is poor or bad, remove it, and supply good loam. 

 Large trees that have been transplanted biennially are the best, as under careful planting 

 they will come into bearing quickly. October, as soon as the leaves have fallen, and in 

 spring, are the best times to plant. 



Pruning and Training. The trees naturally form good heads, so that little in the 

 way of shaping or pruning is required. Standards for lawns or parks should have stems 

 6 to 8 feet high ; then allow the head to form regularly, without the branches crowding 

 each other, cutting out any shoots that would otherwise cross. The best time to prune 

 walnut trees is in autumn, just before the leaves commence falling, that period also being 

 suitable for removing dead or injured parts. 



Pyramids, of the Dwarf Prolific variety, are as easily formed as those of apples or 

 pears, provided the trees are carefully lifted every second or third year, but they 

 require warm situations to produce nuts abundantly and of the best quality. Eor this 

 purpose seedlings are unreliable. 



Mode of Bearing. Walnuts are produced in terminal clusters. The blossoms are 

 staminate (male) and pistillate (female), separate on the same tree. Successful fruit 

 production, therefore, depends upon the simultaneous presence of the two kinds of flowers, 

 and failure is not unfrequently the consequence of the destruction or absence of the 

 former (catkins) when the others are sufliciently developed to receive the pollen. Some 

 varieties are tardy in coming into bearing through the absence of catkins while the 

 trees are young. Dwarf Prolific at three years old and only 2| to 3 feet high 



