200 HOME FRUIT GROWER 



FILBERT See Hazelnut 



HAZELNUT 



Filberts, Cobnuts and Hazelnuts all belong to the same botani- 

 cal group of plants. Filberts are mostly oblong in shape and have 

 husks far longer than the nuts. In Cobnuts the husks barely 

 cover the roundish, angular nuts. The round, thick-shelled Hazels 

 extend beyond the husks much like acorns do from their "cups." 

 Filberts are largely grown in Europe and exported to America. In 

 the Eastern United States they have not succeeded, probably because 

 of tenderness to frost, susceptibility to disease, improper management 

 and lack of varieties adapted to our conditions. On the Pacific Coast 

 trials indicate that conditions are more favorable. Apparently they 

 do best in well-drained, fairly rich soil, steady Winter weather which 

 will prevent opening of the flowers and the absence of American species 

 from the locality, for this species, while not seriously injured by dis- 

 ease, is a disease-breeder for the European kinds. Bordeaux mixture 

 and self-boiled lime-sulphur have been suggested as remedies for the 

 disease, but so far as I know have not been tested. 



The three American species, while somewhat cultivated, have 

 produced no named varieties. They may be started like the Filberts 

 from Fall-sown seed, from transplanted suckers and layers or by 

 budding or grafting. The plants should be set 10 to 20 feet apart in 

 Fall or Spring, and preferably headed at 12 to 24 inches, though they 

 may be grown in stools like Currants. In the former case suckers 

 must be kept down; in the latter thinned out. Pruning in after 

 years is best done shortly after blossoming. Spur-formation is en- 

 couraged by shortening strong shoots, and fruit-bearing by cutting out 

 old wood that has fruited. 



When the husk begins to turn brown is soon enough to start 

 harvest; but it must then be done promptly or many nuts may be 

 lost by falling on the ground. They must be spread out thinly to dry 

 or they will mold. After drying and the husks removed, the nuts 

 are best kept when sprinkled with salt in closed kegs and stored in cold, 

 dry quarters. Some seedlings of European origin but American 

 development are: Grandis, Spanish, Jones, Alba, Red Aveline, 

 Cosford, Lambert, Du Chilly, Purple-leaved, Caspa and Downton. 



HICKORY 



Four species of Hickories are valued for their nuts; the Pecan 

 (page 202), the Shag-bark, the Shell-bark and the Pignut. Of these 

 the Pecan is easily the most important. Of the other three the Shag- 



