io6 Nut Bushes. 



NUT BUSHES. 



In an article in our last volume on nut trecs^ we intimated that we 

 might hereafter have something to say on the nuts which are produced 

 on bushes, and we propose now to notice the hazel nut, filbert, and 

 chincapin. 



The hazel nut takes its name from the vSaxon hcesel, a cap, the 

 involucrum, or husk, covering it like a cap ; and the botanic name, 

 Coryhcs, has the same signification, being from the Greek, corys^ a 

 helmet. The specific name, avellana^ of the European species, is from 

 Avellano, a city in Naples, where the filbert is largely cultivated. 



The filberts of Europe are but improved varieties of the hazel. 

 When raised from seed they run into varieties, and hence arc propa- 

 gated either by layers or suckers, the former making more dwarfish 

 trees. Seedling plants are longer coming into bearing. The improved 

 varieties, which are less hardy than the original, have generally proved 

 rather tender in the climate of Boston. Mr. Levi Jenney, Jr., of 

 Fairhaven, Mass., has, however, for several years successfully grown 

 a variety, which he calls the " Sicilian nut." The fruit is oblong 

 shaped, and about an inch in length, and from specimens sent us by Mr. 

 Jenney, we can attest its excellent quality. This variety is supposed 

 to be identical with the Barcelona nut of the books, which strongly 

 resembles the white filbert of the English, one of the best varieties. 



These nuts were formerly divided into " short bearded " and " long 

 or full bearded," according to the size of the husk, and from the hitter 

 the word " filbert " appears to have been derived, and a term of analo- 

 gous signification, " langbartsnuss," is found among the German 

 synonymes. Large quantities of filberts are raised in the county of 

 Kent, in England, where the cultivation is made a " specialty," and 

 elaborate systems of pruning and training are adopted. Its habit of 

 growth is that of a bush full of suckers like the currant, but larger. 



We would advise a further trial of the best European filberts, at least 

 in latitudes south of Boston. In planting them, where their hardiness is 

 doubtful, wet soil, in which they would grow late, should be avoided, 

 as the unripe wood will in such situations be likely to be winter-killed. 



We know no reason why varieties as good as the best European 

 filberts, which, as we have before remarked, are but improved varieties 

 of the hazel nut, should not be produced from our American hazel nut. 

 We formerly had a bush, which we raised from seed of this species, 

 and which produced a good crop of nuts of excellent quality, though of 

 small size. 



