COB AND FILBERT NUTS. 



579 



equal to either of the two first-named, is a novelty, and the largest Cob 1 have seen. The 

 Berber is likewise less known, although it bears freely on the Continent ; it is of excellent 

 quality, and will doubtless become a favourite. The flowers are produced later than those of the 

 others, and, like the Cosford, it bears male catkins freely. A very distinct variety is Pearson's 

 Prolific, a short round Nut, but it crops very freely and is most useful among others, as a few 

 trees of this variety are very valuable on account of their freedom in producing the male 

 catkins for setting the bloom of other kinds. 



The Filberts are well known. The true Kentish is an excellent Nut and of delicious 

 flavour, but not so prolific as the Cob. The Prolific Filbert produces the fruit in bunches and 

 has a pretty husk'. The Red Filbert is well flavoured ; it has a red skin, and is one of the 

 most productive, being very sweet and a very good variety for garden culture. The White 

 Filbert is like the red, but has a white skin, and is very productive. It is a good hardy 

 variety, as it fruits when others fail. There is a purple-leaved Filbert, but it is of no 

 commercial value, though the foliage is very pretty. 



Nut culture is so seldom undertaken in the true spirit, that is, to make money out of the 

 bushes, that thriving plantations are not often seen. But 1 strongly advise farmers and 

 market gardeners to give some attention to this fruit tree, if one may so regard it, planting only 

 the most productive and saleable kinds, and to grow them throughout on the principles laid down 

 in the foregoing notes. Well-flavoured Cobs and Filberts are always appreciated, and may be 

 easily preserved for use in the winter and even in the earlv spring months. Choose the finest 

 varieties, prune and train in the proper ways, and then a good crop will await one, larger some 

 years than others, of course, as much depends upon the weather at the time of flowering. 



Nut culture, like fruit culture in general, must not be undertaken with hesitation. In 

 all matters of fruit growing for profit practical knowledge is essential. It is as reasonable to 

 expect a man to build a bridge without knowledge of his work as to expect a grower to 

 produce profitable fruit without previouS'trainin^. 



4 SHADY WALK- 



