PROFIT IN NUTS 25 



cial standpoint. This is the familiar hazelnut, a 

 near relative of the European filbert. The 

 hazelnut is smaller than its European cousin, 

 but it is of course susceptible of improvement in 

 that regard; and the hardy nature of the shrub 

 makes it suitable for waste lands, or as an 

 adjunct to the chestnut orchard, even far to the 

 north, but none of this class are suited to dry, 

 warm climates. 



The hickory, the black walnut, and the butter- 

 nut, already referred to as of doubtful commer- 

 cial value, are nuts that may well appeal more 

 confidently to the amateur. They grow wild in 

 many regions of the Middle West where the 

 chestnut is not indigenous, and the black walnut 

 and hickory in particular are widely famed for 

 their lumber — or were before the vandalism of 

 the early settlers practically exhausted the sup- 

 ply. As to palatability, there are many persons 

 who would be disposed to place the butternut 

 near the head of the list of edible nuts; and no 

 one will deny the fine quality of hickories and 

 some of the black walnuts. 



All in all, the opportunity for diversion and 

 profit in this unexplored direction seems pecul- 

 iarly inviting; and it is one that is likely to be 

 eagerly seized by an increasing number of grow- 

 ers as the years go by. The fact that nut-bearing 



