The nuts of the better varieties, such as we offer, are easy to 
crack, the kernels being easily extracted, a high percentage in whole 
halves. In flavor it is unlike any of the nuts which at present can be 
bought on the market. It is very similar in flavor and shape of kernel 
to the butternut. 
The trees bear young, first nuts usually appearing the third or 
fourth season from grafting. Thus the trees you set out will usually 
bear a few nuts the second or third year after planting. 
The only serious obstacle we have observed so far in growing 
heartnuts is the injury caused by the butternut curculio. While the 
curculio does no injury of consequence to the tree itself, it will, if in 
any considerable numbers, destroy the crop of nuts. 
Sometimes heartnuts, Persian (English) walnuts and butternuts 
are attacked by the butternut curculio. The larva are found inside 
the main stems of the new growth, also in the fleshy part of the leaf 
stems. Infected stems will show dark brown refuse about the entry 
hole. 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology 
suggests the use of lead arsenate at the rate of 6 pounds to 50 gallons 
of water, to be used as a spray. As this is a very strong solution 
there is some danger of arsenical injury to the trees so we suggest 
that two or three pounds of hydrated lime for each pound of arsenate 
of lead, be added to the spray mixture. 
Spray in the early spring as soon as the buds have well opened 
so as to kill the adult beetles before they lay their eggs. The new 
growth will need to be kept covered by repeated sprayings about a 
week apart; probably three or four sprayings will be enough unless 
you have a_ nearby source of infection. Spray any butternut trees 
growing nearby, or if they are of no value remove them if possible. 
Do not spray unless you actually have the curculio. 
We do not recommend the planting of heartnut, Persian 
(English) walnut or improved butternut trees within one-fourth mile 
of a woodland or any considerable number of wild butternut trees. 
We do not know how wide-spread the butternut curculio is. If it 
does not appear in your locality you will not need to worry about it 
until such time as it does appear. 
