CHESTNUT CULTURE IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. 97 



young, and is exceedingly prolific. In fact, the young trees are such heavy bearers 

 that it is almost a drawback to their value, as they will exhaust their vitality and 

 die, or lose their vigor of growth if unrestrained. 



Paragon grafts take exceedingly well in American stocks, and have been known 

 to gro.vv well when grafted upon red oak sprouts. While not free from insect 

 attacks the Paragon is much less affected by the weevil than are other varieties. 



A not serious reduction of its many good qualities is the tendency of the burs to 

 remain closed and fall to the ground with the nuts still retained. They open 

 readily, however, if spread in the sun ; hence the only detriment is a slightly 

 additional cost in harvesting. It saves, on the other hand, however, the loss and 

 difficulty occasioned by picking the nuts from the grass and debris beneath the 

 trees. For planting in this State the Paragon can be safely recommended above all 

 others. 



NUMBO. 



Bur medium ; nut large, bright, slightly pubescent and of excellent quality. It 

 is extensively grown, and is deserving of second place in the list of valuable varieties. 

 Its greatest fault is that it is not sufficiently prolific. 



The original Numbo seedling is a vigorous tree still growing on the nursery 

 grounds of Mr. S. C. Moon, at Morrisville, Pa. At present it is a tree with a 

 diameter of about three feet, and a rounded symmetrical crown with a spread of 

 branches of about 60 feet. The history of the Numbo, as given by Mr. S. C. 

 Moon, is that it is one of the seedlings imported from France or England by his 

 father, Mahlon Moon, about 1850. Of a large number imported, both at this time 

 and later, this tree turned out to be the best one of the few good ones which were 

 retained. Many scions have been taken from it, and the Numbo is now known and 

 grown in various parts of the Middle States. It is not a Japanese seedling, as many 

 suppose, nor is Numbo a Japanese word ; but is rather an abbreviation of the name 

 Magnum Bonum, which the elder Moon first applied to the variety. 



RlDGELY. 



Bur medium, nut smaller than Paragon and less pubescent at tip. The skin is 

 astringent, but the flavor of the nut is good. The tree is hardy and a very prolific 

 bearer. The original seedling was sprouted by Ire*nee Dupont, Wilmington, Del., 

 and sent to Henry M. Ridgely about 1822. Because of its hardiness it is worthy of 

 experimental propagation in New York State. It bears a very large nut, bright in 

 color, and of attractive appearance. It is a very heavy producer and is among the 

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