446 SYSTEMATIC POMOLOGY. 



Also hints are given on its propagation, planting, and protection of 

 the nuts from the attacks of weevil. 



The most promising fields for the extension commercially of 

 chestnut-growing is on the northern border of its native growth, on 

 sandy hillsides and high ridges with rather thin soil. Even in the 

 prairie States it succeeds fairly well on thin dividing ridges, and on 

 the bluffs of streams formerly covered with timber. The Japan 

 varieties have most promise on the hills and mountain ridges south of 

 the fortieth parallel of latitude. We now have growing in the same 

 vicinity, and often on the same place, trees in bearing of the American 

 sweet chestnut (Castanea dentata) , of the European varieties (Castanea 

 saliva), and of the Japanese varieties (Castanea crenata). This sug- 

 gests the possible results of natural and artificial crossing. The 

 Japan varieties and our native species are closely related to the 

 European type, and no doubt they will cross readily. The Japan vari- 

 eties are relatively small in tree, with slender branches, come into 

 bearing much earlier than the native or European species, and the 

 nuts are very much larger than either, but inferior in quality to our 

 natives. We may hope by crossing to retain the hardiness of tree 

 and quality of nut of our natives, and to secure varieties with lower 

 habits of growth, earlier bearing, and larger nuts nearly or quite equal 

 in quality to the native varieties. 



As yet the propagation of native varieties has been neglected 

 except in a very local way. The following are propagated to some 

 extent. 



AMERICAN VARIETIES OF THE CHESTNUT. 



Cooper. Large, borne in very large burr; very productive, and 

 much grown in the vicinity of Philadelphia. 



Dulaney. Large, excellent in quality; said 

 to bear when isolated. Kentucky. 



Hathaway. Large, light-colored, sweet ker- 

 nel ; regular in bearing. Sometimes seven nuts 

 are found in one burr. Michigan. 



Ketcham. Medium to large, downy; quality 

 best. New York. 



Lawver. Large, productive and desirable. 

 Hathaway. Introduced from South Pass, Illinois. 



