SEEDS SOILS TRANSPLANTING 57 



Chestnuts will thrive pretty well in soil that is 

 distinctly acid in reaction and several authors have 

 stated that lime is injurious to trees of the chestnut 

 group. This proved not to be true in the case of 

 three young chestnut trees which I limed experi- 

 mentally in Connecticut soil. They grew up in the 

 garden where they were not wanted and I tried to 

 kill them with lime, but failed to do so. They seemed 

 to be benefited rather than harmed even when lime 

 was added in proportions believed to be large enough 

 to kill chestnut trees. On the other hand, there is 

 so much good testimony to the statement that lime 

 is injurious to trees of the chestnut group that it 

 should not be used until one has experimented with 

 the soil of his locality. 



When planning to change the character of land 

 for purposes of nut tree cultivation we may resort 

 to draining natural soil or irrigating dry soils. We 

 may dynamite hardpan or pull stumps from a timber 

 cutting. Rocky land, however, is best left undis- 

 turbed. Rocks collect heat from the sun during the 

 day and radiate heat gradually into the soil during 

 the night. Condensation of ground moisture takes 

 place about rocks and large stones in such a way as 

 to give the roots more moisture than they would 

 otherwise receive. There is a question if very large 

 stumps may not be left to advantage. Their slow 

 decomposition furnishes food for new tree roots and 

 the tops above ground do not interfere with the 

 growth of young nut trees. 



