40 NUT CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. 



walnut growers. It is claimed for these nuts that besides being soft-shelled they have 

 admirable keeping qualities, and that the trees are abundant croppers. 



Our illustration shows but one of several forms received from Mr. Ford. As he 

 propagates entirely from seed, there is some variation in the nuts he sends out, and no 

 distinct variety has been selected for propagation. Mr. Ford's nuts average well, and 

 are much superior in thinness of shell and quality of kernel to the common Los Angeles 

 nut. 



FEANQUETTE (pi. 5, fig. 4). Form long ; size quite large. A French variety named 

 after its originator, by whom it was propagated in the early part of the century. By 

 Mr. Gillet it is rated with Mayette and Parisienne as very choice in quality, regular 

 in form, hardy in tree, and late in starting growth in spring. The productiveness of 

 these varieties in the United States has not been determined; but young trees are 

 reported to fruit well at Nevada City, Gal. These three varieties supply the finest 

 walnuts produced in the southern portion of France, where they are exclusively grown 

 on grafted trees and are the kinds most generally grown. 



GANT, OR BIJOU (pi. G, fig. 4). A very large French nut, the kernel of which often 

 fails to fill the shell. The names are derived from the uses to which the shells are 

 sometimes put in France, being used as glove or jewel boxes. 



GRAND NOBLESSE (pi. 6, fig. 2). A very fine nut, of which specimens were received 

 by Division of Pomology from L. L. Bequette, of Eivera, Cal. 



LANFRAY. A large imported variety catalogued by Mr. Gillet. We are not aware 

 that it has yet been fruited in this country. 



MAMMOTH. French. " This is an immense nut, the largest of all, much larger 

 than Gant, or Bijou." Gillet. 



MAYETTE (pi. 5, fig. 3). Form broad; size above medium. This is one of the 

 finest dessert nuts, and is quoted at the highest prices in the market. The nuts are 

 above medium in size, full kerneled and sweet. Its habit of starting growth late in 

 the spring makes it of special value to growers in the United States. It is thus likely 

 to escape disastrous effects of late spring frosts. 



MESANGE. A very thin-shelled French variety that is claimed to be especially 

 desirable for pickling when green. Nuts sometimes injured by birds, which puncture 

 the hull and shell and extract the meat. 



MEYLAN. Recently introduced from France by Felix Gillet. Said to have origi- 

 nated near the village of Meylan, where it is much cultivated for export. 



MISSION (Los Angeles) (pi. 5, fig. 1). This nut was introduced by the priests at 

 Los Angeles and is the pioneer Persian walnut of California. Most of the bearing 

 orchards of the State are composed of seedling trees of this type. The nut is of medium 

 size, with a hard shell of medium thickness. It succeeds admirably in a few favored 

 districts (noted on page 32), but fails in productiveness in many sections. Its most 

 prominent faults are early blooming, in consequence of which it is often caught by late 

 frosts; the irregular and unequal blooming of its staminate and pistillate blossoms 

 and the consequent failure of the latter to be fertilized and to develop nuts; lateness 

 in ripening its wood in the fall and consequent liability to injury by frost at that time. 

 In sections where it does not succeed the trees of this variety should be top-grafted 

 or budded with hardier varieties. 



PARISIENNE. Originated in southeastern France and named in honor of the 

 capital. Nut large, truncated at apex. Said to be as late in blooming as Mayette. 



POORMAN. Recently introduced by Mr. Gillet, but not yet fruited. 



PRO3PARTURIENS (Fertile) (pi. 5, fig. 2). Size medium; shell rather hard; kernel 

 delicious. This variety originated about forty years ago in France. It bears at an 

 early age, as its name implies. It blooms from two to four weeks later than the Mis- 

 sion, and is thus less likely to be injured by late frosts. Its male and female blossoms 

 mature simultaneously. It is very hardy and ripens its wood well before winter. Its 

 habit of growth is more dwarfish than some others. It is productive. Until 8 or 9 



