BULLETIN 231] WALNUT CULTURE IN CALIFORNIA. 391 



Gourlande. The Gourlande nut is very large, elongated, oval, with 

 shell deeply and irregularly sinuate, pointed at the apex. This shell 

 is extremely fragile and when dry it breaks and shatters with the least 

 shock. Therefore, the Gourlande is difficult to preserve dry. The 

 handsome nut measures 48 mm. in length by 40 in width and weighs, 

 dry, from 13 to 14 grammes. The average weight of a nut is 11 

 grammes. 



The Gourlande is cultivated only in the department of Puy-de-Dome. 

 It is found in the townships of Chamalieres, Cebazat, etc. It is much 

 sought by confectioners. It is harvested when the kernel is still 

 white and the shell gelatinous. They pick them partly green and 

 preserve the kernel. The green nuts sell for from 25 to 40 francs 

 per 100 kilos ($5 to $8 per 220 pounds). A mature tree furnishes 

 perhaps 150 kilos (330 pounds) of green nuts for the confectioners. 



They never keep the Gourlande nut to eat dry; nevertheless, it is 

 frequently sold fresh in August or September as a table nut. It is 

 rarely kept for the manufacture of oil; moreover, the crop is less by 

 one tenth that of the ordinary nut (noix commune). 



The seed bed is the only method of propagation in use ; in no prac- 

 tice, it appears, has the Gourlande been propagated by grafting. Those 

 who have tried various systems of grafting have been disappointed. 

 By means of the seed bed, they obtain trees of which two thirds are 

 degenerate and ought to be rejected; there is, in consequence, a great 

 waste. 



Corne. The Corne nut, still called Coutras, Corne-de-boeuf, has a 

 half -hard shell. It is elongated, of ovoid form, of average size and very 

 pointed at the apex. The shell is of clear color with surface irregular 

 and deeply sinuate; it is depressed in the upper half along the line 

 of suture of the valves. The two valves are solidly sealed which qual- 

 ifies it for a good dessert nut, easy of transportation and of long preser- 

 vation. The kernel is fine and white. The average dimensions are 

 as follows: length 39 mm., width 30 mm. The average weight of a 

 dry nut is 8 to 9 grammes and the average weight of a hectolitre (2.85 

 bushels) 37 to 39 kilos (81 to 86 pounds). 



The tree is vigorous and very productive; it blossoms generally at 

 the end of May. 



The Corne nut is very popular in Lot. It is found in the environs 

 of Montvalent, Eocamadour. They cultivate it as well in Dordogne 

 (Sarladais) and also in Aveyron. Very choice in commerce, by reason 

 of the hardness of its shell and fineness of its kernel, it is spreading 

 (in commerce) to the detriment of other varieties. In 1910 it sold 

 for from 45 to 50 francs for 50 kilos or 90 to 700 francs per quintal. 



