Omaha daily bee., 1883-01-04

often DO collected by travelling a short
distance, or they may be obtained of
dealers in seeds. Much has been
written about the necessity of keeping
the nuts moist from the time they
drop from the tree t.llthey are planted,
1t is altogether likely that they GERM
nate more readily VI they are not al.
lowed to become dry, but it is not
likely that their vitality is destroyed
or even greatly impaired by their be.
coming dry. OF course they should
not be allowed to become moldy SO
the mold would likely destroy the
germ. Much has also been written
about the necessity OF exposing the
nuts 20 the action of frost 30
that the two parts of the shell shall
be opened before the germ begins to
expand. Undoubtedly the freezing is
beneficial, but that the germ would
force the parts of the shell apart with.
out the previous aid of the frost seems
evident from the fact that the pecan,
walnut and butternut do grow both in
u wild and cultivated state in portions
of the south where there is not a suf.
ficient degree of cold to form ice.
Many tropical countries, like Brazil,
produce q great variety of nut-besring
trees, and there is, of course, no frost
to aid in opening tho shells of the nuts.
What is known as the English walnut
ID q native of Persia, q country In
which frosts do not occur. Old prac.
tioes are often followed for centuries
for the reason that no one ascertains
by experiment whether they are necos.
a or not. If 1t can be demon.
strated by experiment that thoroughly
dried nuts will germinate, and that
freezing Is unnecessary, q much
greater number will be planted.
Many nov neglect to plant them be.
cause they cannot obtain them in the
condition they think they should be to
insure termination.
All the trees mentioned are desira
bio for affording shade AS well az for
purposes of ornsmentation. To cause
a rapid growth the ground where they
are planted should be put in good con
dition. 1t is true that the roots of
these trseu will force Themselves
through very hard soil, but they will
extend further and afford more mutt.
ment to support the trees if the ground
is rendered soft. It is advis.
able to e~xcavate quite a hole
where the tree Is to stand and to loosen
tho subsoil at the bottom Of it with an
iron bar to the distance of eeversl
feet. This will afford a chance for
the tap root to extend The hole
should be 6lled with forest
leaves, well rotted manure ard fine
soil. 1t is well to plant several nuts
in tho same place and to select for
raising the sprout that gives the
greatest promise at the end of the
first or second season. Stroog
stakes to protect it against animals
should then be placed on each
side of the tree. The soil for several
feet around the tree should be kept
free from weeds and grass and we'll
worked or covered with mulch.
There may be little profit in nuts
that can be computed in dollars and
cents, though they may often be sold
to good advantage to persons who
wish them for planting or eating pur.
poses. They add, however, much to
the enjoyment of life. Nuts are pro-
motive of sociability and pleasure, A
few nut. shells thrown on an open fire
will cause the room to be filed with u
delightful odor while they make q
cheerful blaze. When home. grown
they furnish cheap luxuries that farm.
ers a hardly afford to do without.
Nuts have long been associated with
pleasant conversation. In one If the
sweeteat songs of Tennyson an old
man Is represented as addressing his
wife In these words:
So await IT. ssama to thea To taft
And once again to WOO thee mine;
Tis like The after-dinner talk
Across the walnuts and the wine."