HOCKINGS' GARDEN MANUAL. 



87 



THE FILBERT- (Corylus Avellana). 



The filbert grows in the form of a shrub or small 

 tree to the height of ten feet, but under a thorough 

 system of cultivation seldom exceeds six feet. In 

 Kent, England, where it grows more extensively than 

 in any other part, the average yield of nuts is about 

 five bushels per acre, the crop generally failing three 

 seasons out of five. The male and female blossoms 

 are formed separate on the same plant ; the male is the 

 well-known catkin, and the female resembles a small 

 brush, of a pinkish or pale red color. In many cases 

 the trees are unfruitful in consequence of there being 

 an insufficiency of catkins to fertilize the fruitbearing 

 blossoms. 



Propagation : The filbert may be propagated by 

 seeds, cuttings, layers, and suckers ; the two latter 

 modes being the most in use. 



Planting, soil, &c. : They may be planted in winter 

 at ten feet apart, or in alternate rows with larger grow- 

 ing trees, allowing sufficient additional space. They 

 will thrive in any good garden soil naturally rather 

 damp, but well drained. The aspect should be cool 

 (southerly) \ and they are only likely to succeed in the 

 coldest parts of the colony. 



Training, pruning, die. : The plants should be al- 

 lowed to grow to a single stem, unchecked, for the 

 first season • and. in winter, if they are strong, cut 

 back to one foot from the ground. In the spring, see 

 that about eight shoots are provided, which train into 

 an open head the shape of a cup, carefully removing 

 all suckers and other shoots below those forming the 

 head. If the plant is not strong enough to furnish a 

 good head the second year, the shoots must be cut 

 back the following winter to two buds from their 

 origin, taking care to cut back to am outside bud, to 

 keep the head open; and from the shoots thence 



