184 



FILBERT AND NUT* 



SECT. X. 



OF THE FILBERT AND NUT. 



The filbert is no doubt an improved variety of the 

 common wild hazel. The Italians call the fruit 

 Avellana^ and the French Avdline ; from a district 

 in the former country, where great quantities of 

 filberts are grown, and from whence the nuts are 

 supplied to the surrounding nations, amounting in 

 value to above eleven thousand pounds sterling per 

 annum. These filbert plantations in the south of 

 Europe, and the Maidstone plantations in England, 

 are the most considerable sources whence the supply 

 of this favourite kernel are drawn for the markets. 



Though filberts and other varieties of the hazel 

 have been long cultivated in Britain, it is more than 

 probable they came to us through Holland. The 

 Dutch have gone before us in many branches of 

 gardening ; and in the working and management of 

 the filbert, they certainly excel. Now, however, 

 we are nearly on a par ; except perhaps in their 

 frame management of fruit trees, which they content 

 themselves with, rather than go to the expense of 

 hot-houses. 



Kent is the most noted county in England for the 

 cultivation of the filbert, as the hundreds of acres 

 round Maidstone can testify. It is quite a branch 

 of rural economy in that quarter, and it is believed 

 much to the advantage of the cultivators. 



