The Seed-nuts 177 



down, for the latter process is apt to result in 

 cracking some of the kernels, which must not 

 be allowed to happen, for a cracked kernel is 

 no use at all for successful propagation, and as 

 it can only be found out after many months 

 whether the kernel is sound or not, it is clear 

 that one should be careful in this respect, or 

 otherwise all the labour expended in obtain- 

 ing, paying for, and setting out the nuts would 

 be in vain. 



In almost all cases, where one desires to take 

 selected nuts from the trees, it will be found 

 that the owners want higher prices. This 

 slightly increased cost is, however, in no ratio 

 to the obvious advantages derived from such 

 a course, and the additional outlay should be 

 cheerfully borne. If the seed-nuts have to be 

 picked from heaps, it is as well, if you get the 

 chance, to open some of the various sizes and 

 grades, so as to arrive at an estimate regard- 

 ing the best interior qualities. After having 

 satisfied oneself in this respect, one can then 

 pick out all those nuts from the heap under 

 offer which contain the largest and most 

 meaty kernels irrespective of the outer husks. 

 It will be found that the interior of the nuts 

 runs fairly even according to the outside. If 

 you find a lot of medium-sized nuts with a large 

 kernel and small husk of a certain appearance 

 on casually looking over the heap, then try to 

 get all, or nearly all, of a similar appearance 

 among your purchases. If for any reason a 



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