CHAPTER XXVIII. 



NUTS. 



THE introduction of mainly Japanese varieties of chestnuts 

 and walnuts has created an interest in the growth of our native 

 nuts, too long delayed, which will unquestionably contribute 

 much to pleasurable and profitable cultivation of land. 



In this country a crop of nuts of any value has heretofore 

 been generally considered an adventitious, an accidental wind- 

 fall, to be prized by the lucky owner of a tree which produces 

 fruit of unusual size and in large quantity. Few attempts 

 have been made to propagate from such trees, and when it has 

 been, it has usually resulted in complete failure. 



Nut trees have been treated as one would an apple, or 

 peach; transplanted trees invariably died and grafted ones 

 fared no better. Within the past few years more careful 

 study has been made of the difficulties which have heretofore 

 discouraged experiments in this direction. 



It is not at all so easy a matter to raise any of our native 

 nuts as it is the soft fruits. Unless nursery grown, and that 

 properly too, they are all intolerant of removal, and grafting 

 is too commonly a failure ; besides this, they do not come into 

 bearing, excepting in the Southern States, until of considerable 

 age. 



Notwithstanding the inherent and persistent character of 

 some of these drawbacks, the results to be obtained fully 

 justify the necessary care and skill which will in a measure 

 overcome them. 



A new and most interesting, valuable, and pecuniarily 

 profitable industry is within reach of all who will avail them- 

 selves of it. 



So new is it that practically it has no nomenclature. Here 

 and there have appeared in the market, from year to year, 



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