116 Lessons in Fruit Growing. 



been formed by cutting down native cbestnut groves and 

 grafting sprouts from the stumps. Ordinary grafting meth- 

 ods, carefully performed, are fairly successful. In budding, 

 dormant buds are usually inserted when the bark peels in 

 the spring, in shoots of the previous year. Rank-growing 

 grafts should be checked by pinching, and if exposed to 

 winds they should be tied to stakes to prevent their being 

 blown off. The chinkapin has been used to some extent 

 as a stock for the native and introduced chestnuts. 



163. Orchard treatment The orchards grown from 

 grafted sprouts are cared for by cutting out brambles and 

 superfluous sprouts, or pasturing with sheep, and by guard- 

 ing the trees from fire. Planted trees of the American 

 species should be set 40 to 50 feet apart: those of the for- 

 eign species may be set somewhat closer. The ground 

 may be used for other crops until the trees shade it, but 

 these will thrive best if the soil is kept well cultivated and 

 moderately fertile. Little pruning is necessary. The burs 

 on some trees of the foreign species may require thinning 

 to prevent overbearing. 



164. Preparing for market. The nuts are prepared for 

 market by pouring boiling water over them in a suitable 

 vessel, as soon as gathered. By stirring the nuts in the hot 

 water, the wormy ones will float and can be removed. The 

 eggs and larvae of insects are destroyed by the heat, and 

 the kernel of the nuts is rendered more tender. After 15 

 minutes the water should be poured off and the nuts spread 

 for drying. Scalded nuts will not germinate. 



165. Harmful parasites. Several species of curculio in- 

 fest the chestnut. Scalding the nuts (161) tends to keep 

 these in check. Certain leaf diseases may probably be pre- 

 vented by spraying with Bordeaux mixture. 



