Xiits of Commerce. 211 



certainly is of great value for cultivation where it would he difficult 

 to make other trees or shrubs grow successfully. Had we an agri- 

 cultural experiment station in this section of the state it would be a 

 proper subject to investigate. C. R. Orcutt. 



NUTS OF COMMERCE. 



(From the American Agriculturist, 1. :«7.) 



The Liche nut is an interesting Chinese iiroduction, probably 

 first introduced into this country by immigrants from China, but 

 now to be found on sale at many of our fruit stores. The nuts have 

 a delicate russet-colored shell, more easily Ijroken than the soft-shell 

 almond, inclosing a rich-flavored, date-like pulp, surrounding a 

 smooth seed with irregular depressions and about the size of a date 

 stone; hence the name of 'Chinese dates' sometimes given these 

 nuts. No information in regard to their cultivation is obtainable, 

 but thcA^ could, no doubt, be raised in certain tocalities in this 

 country, and probably yield profitable crops. 



Some American plants seem to thrive better away from home 

 than in their native land, and so what we have been accustomed to 

 call the English or Etiropean walnut (Juglans regia) is now grown 

 in the greatest perfection and over a ver\' wide range of territory in 

 this countrv". This nut flourishes and bears annual crops as far 

 north as Narragansett Bay on the Atlantic Coast, but, like most 

 fruits which reqviire a long season, it reaches its greatest perfection 

 in an equable and medium temperature, that allows of a steady, 

 uniform growth, such as it, secures on the Pacific Coast and in 

 some of our Southern States. Under such conditions the shells are 

 thinner, the nuts larger, smoother, and better filled than elsewhere. 



As an illustration of the influence of popular taste, we ma\' say 

 that a varietx' of the English filbert, which is much larger than our 

 native hazelnut, sells better when offered in the husks. There seems 

 to be no good reason for it except that it is supposed to be an Eng- 

 lish custom to serve them in this form. Other varieties of the filbert 

 and nuts in general are usually most carefulh' divested of their 

 outer coverings, assorted to uniform sizes, and even polished and 

 oiled to give them an attractive appearance. 



Cashew nuts are brought from the West Indies, and may, per- 

 haps, thrive in some of the warmer parts of the Pacific Coast. The 

 cashew tree bears an edible fruit, from which hangs the smooth and 

 curiously-shaped nut. The kernel or meat is ven,- palatable, while 

 the surrounding skin is bitter and astringent. 



There is a steady but not a large demand for pistachia nuts, best 



