FRUIT CULTURE IN AMERICA 325 



more in extent in some cases, and many car-loads are produced each year. The 

 quality is equal to that of any imported from Europe. Especially is this true of 

 some of the varieties originated in California. 



The Persian Walnut or Madeira nut is grown in California in large 

 orchards, and to such an extent that its importation has almost ceased. 



Chestnut Culture is also assuming considerable proportions in America. 

 We have twro native species that bear nuts of excellent quality, but they are 

 rather small. Many thousands of bushels are gathered each year from the 

 forests and sold at moderate prices. The best varieties from Europe and Japan 

 have been imported, and many seedlings have been growrn from them that are 

 even better. There are a few chestnut orchards of more than 200 acres, and 

 many smaller ones have been made by grafting the choice varieties on native 

 sprouts, where the forests have been cut down. There are also a few small 

 orchards of grafted nursery-grown chestnut trees that are bearing abundantly. 



The Pecan {Hicoria pecan) is a native nut that is found abundantly in 

 the lower Mississippi Valley, where the trees often attain very large size. 

 Large quantities are gathered and sent to market, especially from Texas. Within 

 the last twenty-five years this nut has been brought under cultivation. Many 

 choice native varieties have been selected and propagated by grafting and bud- 

 ding. Others have been originated from seed, until we now have a very choice 

 list of named sorts. The trees are set in orchards, about as for apples, and culti- 

 vated until they begin to bear, which is usually about ten years old. The pecan 

 requires very rich moist soil, and does best where the summers are long and hot. 



Filberts are cultivated only to a very limited extent, because a fungus 

 disease preys on the leaves and wood of the European species in most regions. 

 In Washington and Oregon this trouble does not exist, and the best varieties 

 known are planted there and are beginning to bear abundantly. We think that 

 they will grow there as well as in England or in any other country. Our native 

 wild hazels are abundant in the Central States and bear well, but the nuts are 

 small. Some of the largest are now being tested under cultivation. 



FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS 



Practically no fruits are grown under glass in America except European 

 grapes in the fruit-houses of a few of our wealthiest people in the Eastern States. 

 There is very little need to grow them thus, because they are grown out-of- 

 doors so much more cheaply. A very few peaches, nectarines, pears, and pine- 

 apples are grown in fruit-houses, but this is done mostly as a hobby. There 

 are perhaps two or three persons or firms growing strawberries under glass, but 

 they have difficulty in meeting the prices of Florida and California, which 

 furnish the markets with this fruit in winter-time from the open fields. 



FUNGUS DISEASES AND INSECTS 



The American fruit-grower has a swarm of enemies to fight in the shape 

 of fungus diseases and insect pests. There is scarcely a plant or tree that does 



