
SPARROW BLACK WALNUT 
This variety originated near Lomax, Illinois, 40° 35’ N. Lat. In 
spite of its rather southern origin it makes a very good variety for the 
North. The tree is perfectly hardy here and the nuts ripen at the same 
time as Snyder and about two weeks earlier than Theta It ripens 
here the very last of September or the very first of October in normal 
years. | 
Nuts of the 1942 crop, from our graft, were rated by Mr. C. A. Reed 
as follows: 27 nuts per pound, 29: 94 per cent kernel, cracked 96.22 
per cent quarters, size medium, shell medium thickness, cleavage very 
good, color bright, quality rich, flavor sweet, rated A, very promising. 
Tree is vigorous and bears well. The nuts appear to be very small 
while on the tree, this is due to the fact that the husk is very thin for 
a black walnut. For this reason it is not bothered very much by the husk 
maggot, in fact less than any other variety we have. In spite of the thin 
husk, it shucks very readily, the nuts coming out of the husk cleaner 
than most any other variety that we have. 
Sparrow retains its leaves in the fall remarkably well. They remain 
on the trees long after the nuts are ripe and fallen, usually until they are 
cut by frost, waa it be a year that the frosts hold off until late October. 
This adds to the ornamental value of the tree. 
When all the virtues of Sparrow are taken into account, it takes a 
mighty good black walnut to beat it; we doubt if any other variety does 
beat it. 
