The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-01-10
Aasbanary.
Planting Nut-Bearlng Trees.

The ,1Sagress of tree.planting which has
- 80 on in some portions of the prairie
States during the past few years, is certainly
an encouraging omen for the future of tim
Der growing, or Forestry, in those States.
Generally the quick growing varieties have
been planted first, which is well enough, but
other kinds, including nut-bearing trees,
should receive fair share of attention =
Among them the hickories, walnuts and
chestnuts are desirable on account of the
valuable uses to which the different woods
are put and also for their fruit.
Everywhere the wood of the hickories is
more highly esteemed for fuel than that Of
any other kind, and it is therefore made the
standard of value in comparing woods for
this purpose. In numerous manufactures,
where hardness, strength and elasticity are
required, this wood is Indispensable; for
making hoops it is better suited than any
other wood. 1t is becoming scarce and
dearer year by year.
1t is hardly necessary to refer. to the high
prices which Black Walnut lumber commands.
Its rapid consumption in the manufacture of
furniture, and for the inside finish of houses,
as well as various other purposes, has al
ready made it scarce and high in price, and
it will not be long before the supply will be
exhausted unless steps are taken to plant and
cultivate it largely for commercial purposes
There is no tree that will better repay the
cost of planting and cultivation where the
soil is suitable to it's growth. In favorable
locations it is a rapid grower, and is easily
cultivated. The fruit forms an article of
commerce of no mean Importance, and is
produced before the trees have attained q
large size. If tall trees are desired the Black
Walnut should be planted thickly, as it is in
clined to throw out heavy side branches and
form spreading top, hence it is necessary
to give the tree attention while it is small,
by pruning so as to give it good shape.
The seed should be planted where the trees
are to remain. Our intention is not to de-
scribe, at this time, the best way to plant and
grow nut-bearing trees, but merely to direct
attention to the propriety and desirableness
of cultivating them. 1t is proper to remark
in passing, however, that Black Walnut plan
tations should be made by themselves, or if
grown with other trees, the latter should be
of cheap quick growing kinds, which may be
thinned out at proper intervals. Fruit trees,
Especially apples do not thrive in the neigh
borhood of the Black Walnut. 1t requires
deep rich soil.
The chestnut tree is another nut-bearer,
which will well repay cultivation wherever
the soil is suitable and the winters are not
too severe. 1t thrives on the dry prairies of
Illinois, and other Western States, but wet
soil is fatal to it. Rich soils are not neces
sary to it's growth, as it succeeds we'll on dry,
sandy or gravelly SOILS The wood of the
chestnut is valuable for various purposes
1t is employed in the manufacture Of furni
ture, for the inside finish of passenger cars,
steamboats,, etc. 1t is very durable, strong
and elastic, and though the grain is not fine,
it makes handsome finish when oiled or
vanished The nuts of this tree, it scarcely
/ need be said, are source of much profit
At fifteen years old chestnut tree common
1ly bears peck of fruit, and about hun.
dred of such trees will grow on an acre Of
ground without detriment to each other
The nuts sell at from SIS to $40 per bushel,
so then an acre of chestnut trees, yielding
but twenty bushels of fruit, yields revenue
of from 500 to 5000. Lands too poor to
produce other products may thus be made
profitable.
In selecting seed for planting, it is well to
let them get quite ripe before they are gath
cred, and only the best should be saved for
planting. This is the time of year to gather
them, and put away those intended for seed.
They should be partly dried, then mixed
with dry sand, and placed in mouse proof
boxes and buried in sand in dry location,
where they are to remain until the time ar
rives for planting Western Rural.