228 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



variety which expands its catkins early should be interplanted, and 

 I recommend ' La Bergeri.' 



For manure, experience has shown that slow- acting organic manures 

 are undoubtedly to be preferred. Shoddy, the waste from woollen 

 mills, fur-waste, feathers, rape-dust, are used largely by Kentish 

 growers, and on soils where lime is absent basic slag would be 

 advisable. Stable manure, or any nitrogenous manure which pro- 

 duces growth, should be avoided where the tree is growing well. 



A few words as to the commercial aspect of Nut culture will not 

 be out of place. 



The bushes are planted when three or four years old, usually 

 about 15 feet apart ; for varieties like the Kent Cob, 20 feet would 

 be better. 



Though Nuts often fruit a little in the nursery rows they cannot 

 be expected to bear much before six years, when a crop of four pounds 

 from a tree may be expected. 



This may seem a drawback to planters ; but it must be borne in 

 mind that the tree will last for over a hundred years, and may be 

 planted on soils which are not suitable for other crops. 



The average yield from an acre, when established, will be about 

 10 cwts. ; but in many years this will be greatly exceeded — as, for 

 instance, in 1918, when many plantations produced two tons to the 

 acre. However, like other fruits, they will now and again miss a year, 

 so the average given above is a safe one to take. 



The wholesale prices used to average from 4^. to 6d. a pound, but 

 in the last few years this price has been doubled. The home market 

 is, of course, the main outlet, but there is some export trade done, 

 as many exiled Britishers wish to buy this distinctly English fruit. 

 Most of the purchasing for export is done in November and early 

 December, which often causes the prices to rise ; while after this trade 

 is over it falls slightly. That more could be done in this, there is 

 little doubt ; and in so easily handled a fruit the usual difficulties of 

 transport do not present themselves. 



The only by-product of this culture is the wands, which are used 

 for several purposes. Baskets for coal-miners are made from them, 

 as also for other uses; and the grower finds them useful for " splints " 

 — the small pieces of wood which are sprung crosswise on the top of 

 baskets of apples, &c, to keep down the paper or hay with which they 

 are covered. The smaller tips are useful for staking small pot-plants- 



Gathering~;and storing do not present any special difficulties. It 

 is necessary first of all to lay out the nuts to dry thoroughly, or they 

 are apt to mildew if gathered a little wet. When once dry, they must 

 be kept as close as possible, to prevent the nut from shrivelling. For 

 home use it is usual to put them in a crock and cover with a layer 

 of salt or sand. 



They can also be stored in small quantities by placing in a drain- 

 pipe in a cool cellar and covering with a slate. By these methods 

 theywillbe fresh and milky up to March and later. 



