• THE WALNUT — PLANTING, SOIL, ETC. 19 



economic importance has not as yet been determined. The nuts differ 

 greatly from the varieties of /. regia, and present curious forms; they 

 are, nevertheless, valuable, for the kernel is oily and sweet. The tree 

 is very handsome, requires no pruning, is a strong grower, and very 

 symmetrical in form, which, with its large, glossy leaves, of extraordi- 

 nary size, render it most beautiful and especially suited for roadways 

 and avenues. The tree is also valuable for stocks, as they " take " easily 

 and are always healthy and of thrifty growth. 



Japanese {Juglans Sieholdiana, Maxim) (Plate X, Fig. 4). — This 

 variety has been cultivated very successfully in this State for more than 

 twenty years. It is a beautiful ornamental tree, indigenous to Japan. 

 The leaves are of enormous size. The nut is small and elongated, quit^ 

 hard, but with a sweet kernel; of very little commercial importance. 



Heart-Shaped {Juglans Cordiformis, Maxim). — This variety is also 

 indigenous to Japan, and of recent introduction. The tree is similar in 

 appearance to /. Sieholdiana. The nut is small and " heart-shaped," 

 with a sweet kernel, said to be easily extracted by boiling for five minutes 

 and then cracking. 



Chinese {Juglans Mandshurica, Maxim). — This nut is also of recent 

 introduction, and is indigenous to eastern Asia. Resembles closely the 

 Eastern butternut in habit of growth and foliage, and is said to resemble 

 it in the form and appearance of the nut. 



(7) PLANTING, SOIL, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS. 



There is considerable difference of opinion among growers as to the 

 proper age to plant walnut trees in orchard. Many contend that trees 

 of three years' growth are best, while others contend that the seed should 

 ■ be planted where the tree is intended to grow, that it should never be 

 transplanted, as in doing so certain roots, and especially the tap-root, 

 have to be cut, which is detrimental to the growth and fruiting quali- 

 ties of the tree. Others hold this practice to be a fallacy, and contend 

 that the tree should be grown in the nursery until the sixth or eighth 

 year, as is practiced in some countries. 



*"I commenced transplanting trees in my nursery at one year old ; each year I renewed 

 my nursery rows, planting estch year so as to enable me to have trees for my own land, 

 which I was obliged to clear in order to prepare it for the orchard. I planted after 

 the first year, and after the second year, and continued planting year by year, from these 

 different nurseries of different ages. When 1 arrived at the ninth year of planting, my 

 trees had then been in bearing one year in the nursery. The trees that 1 planted out 

 one year will bear fruit the seventh year. Bight years is as soon as I ever had them 

 bear in my orchard from the seed:. My experiments proved that the first or second 

 year is an unnatural time to transplant the walnut. Why? There are two periods 

 that the walnut ought not to be transplanted, that is, the second and after the fifth year ; 

 the root starts the second year and makes a partial growth, and then it divides itself 

 between top and root. The walnut will start and grow in root the first year without 

 starting at the top, until it has made a certain period of growth, and then the root grows 

 if not forced. I can force a walnut and make it grow ten feet the second year, but I say 

 that is an unnatural growth and it ought not to be indulged in. The second year I say, 

 then, is dangerous ; it is the period between the top and the root, and when you take it 

 up you destroy that growth. The third year it makes top alone, comparatively no root ; 

 it is then that your little tree, twelve inches high, grows up to the height of six to twelve 

 feet. It is the top that it is making that year, and of course you do not desire to trans- 

 plant a tree that is all to top and not to root, because when you take it from the nursery 

 rows you must allow that tree to go down and make the root first, before it can make 

 the top. After the third year you can transplant it with safety. Why 7 It has made 



*Hon. Russell Heath, of Carpinteria. (Remarks apply to varieties of the "English" 

 walnut, hard and medium shell nuts.) 



