BULLETIN 231] WALNUT CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 175 



Many orchards were planted with seedling trees derived from especially 

 selected nuts, but the greatest step in advance was taken when trees of 

 special excellence began to be picked out here and there and propagated 

 by grafting or budding in the same manner that other fruit tree vari- 

 eties are propagated. Thus originated ; for instance, the Placentia Per- 

 fection, Ford's Improved, Disher's Prolific, El Monte, and various other 

 varieties of which the original trees were Santa Barbara Soft Shell 

 seedlings. Much difference of opinion existed at first as to the merits 

 and qualities of the grafted tree in comparison to the seedling, and there 

 was in the beginning a strong prejudice against the former and an idea 

 of inherent superiority of the seedling tree in thrift, vigor and pro- 

 ductiveness. As time went on, however, abundant proof was afforded, 

 through the rapidly increased plantings of grafted trees, that this dif- 

 ference was entirely imaginary and that no radical difference existed 

 between the walnut and other fruit trees, whereby the superior qualities 

 of particularly desirable individuals could not be reproduced and multi- 

 plied indefinitely. Thus at the present time the planting of seedling 

 trees has practically ceased and no well-informed grower would consider 

 the planting of a seedling grove. 



In the northern part of the State the walnut industry has had quite 

 a different development. Trees of the old hard-shell type were planted 

 in this portion of the State as early as in the south, but the extensive 

 development of the industry in the latter portion of the State based on 

 the Santa Barbara Soft Shell type of nut did not extend north of 

 Santa Barbara County. The pioneer and chief promoter of walnut 

 culture in northern California was Felix Gillet of Nevada City. Born 

 in France in 1835, Mr. Gillet came to this country in 1852, arrived 

 in California in 1858 and in 1859 in Nevada City, which place 

 thereafter remained his home. Mr. Gillet had a natural interest in 

 horticulture, and in 1871 began the development of his Barren Hill 

 Nursery. He was particularly interested in nut culture and at a very 

 early date began introducing from France the best of the nuts grown 

 in that country, particularly the walnut. From 1871 on he imported 

 many shipments of scions and nursery trees, and was the first intro- 

 ducer into California of practically all the French walnut varieties 

 which we now have. He likewise propagated trees of these varieties 

 in his own nursery and also raised many seedlings from French varie- 

 ties with the idea of developing new varieties of special adaptation to 

 California. As a result of Mr. Gillet 's efforts the Franquette, our lead- 

 ing walnut in the northern part of the State, was established in Cali- 

 fornia, while from seedlings of his raising originated the Concord, San 

 Jose, and possibly the Chase varieties. 



Following Mr. Gillet, further introductions from France were made 



