NORTHERN-GROWN NUT TREES 
THE CHESTNUT 
Think of a Chestnut tree l)earini? three 
(juarts of nuts seventeen months after heinu 
set out! That is the record made by the now 
famous So])er Paragon Mammoth Sweet Chest¬ 
nut. introduced solely by us. Its rapidity of 
j 2 :rowth and productivity are not surpassed by 
any tree within our knowledge. 
The nuts of the Sol)er I\'iragon are very 
large, often measuring one and one-half inches 
across, while average nuts rarely measure less 
than one and one-ejuarter inches. The burr> 
contain three or more broad, thick, handsome 
nuts. Most of us are familiar with the very large chestnuts that are 
commonly on the market, but we know too well their puckery. astringent 
flavor. Sober I*aragon Chestnuts, though very large, are fully as mild 
and sweet as the smaller native sweet chestnuts. 
Think of a Chestnut tree bearing three (piarts of nuts seventeen 
months after being set out! This is tlie record made by the now famous 
Sol>er Ikiragon Mammoth Sweet Chestnut, introduced solely by us. Its 
rapidity of growth and productivity are not surpassed by any tree 
witliit] our knowledge. 
'J'he nuts of the Sober I’aragtm are very large, often measuring one 
and o:'ie-half inches across, while average nuts rarely measure less than 
one and one-quarter inches. The burrs contain three or more broad, 
thick, iiandsome nuts. Most of us are familiar with the very large 
chestnuts that are commonly on the market, l)ut we know too well their 
puckery. astringent flavor. Sober Paragon Chestnuts, though very large, 
are fully as mild and sweet as the smaller native sweet chestnuts. 
Profe.^sor llrackett, Pom^)logist. Washington, 1). C.. saj's: “'riie 
Sober Paragon comes nearest in (piality to tlie native Chestnut of any of 
the cultivated varieties that ! have examined. It is of large size, fine 
ap])earai'ce, and excellent flavor.” 
Prof. John Craig, of New York State College of .-\griculture, at 
Cornell University, says: ‘T beg to acknowledge yours of Xovember 18th. 
and t(* say that your sample of Sober Paragon Chestnuts has been 
receive<l. This sample illustrates a very fine variety of chestnut. The 
nuts will go into our i)ermanent rut collection when the exhibition 
closes.” This was followed by the announcement that SOIlb'R P.\R.\- 
GOX ll.\I) T.\KKX FIRST IM^ICMIUM. "Although there was mH a 
large exhibition of chestnuts, of the few plates we did have, yours easily 
outclassed the others in size and eating (pialities. W'e have noticed in 
many varieties of chestnuts the smaller ones were almost always the 
sweetest, and as they grew larger they became more bitter. W’e could 
not find this fault with yours. In fact the bulges seemed surprised when 
they tasted your plate of nuts. I am enclosing the ribbon that goes with 
the prize.” 
The ])lanter of Sober Ibtragon Chestnuts has little to worry about; 
his trees will do better if cultivated, Intt that is not necessary. Frost, 
hail and storm which so often destroy the ordinary crops, work iu> ill 
effect on Sober Paragon Cliestnut trees, as hardy as the oak; even severe 
droughts, which "hum up” field crops, will not ruin, but only reduce 
somewhat, a crop of these wonderful nuts. 
