The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1883-05-10


The value OF every farm may be in
creased and the pleasure Of its occu-
pants enlarged by good collection Of
nut-bearing trees. In nearly every
portion of the Northwest the black wal
nut, the white walnut, or butternut the
common and shell-bark hickory. and
the pecan are hardy and productive.
In many sections the chestnut also does
well. There are several varieties OF
oaks that produce acorns that are edible
and, indeed, palatable when roasted.
All kinds of acorns are readily eaten by
pigs and sheep. and in England they
are extensively raised for stock food.
All these trees are valuable for pro-
ducing fuel, and some of them furnish
excellent lumber They are of some
what slow growth, but their growth
may be increased by care in planting
and iudicious cultivation. As the young
trees are difficult to transplant, on ac-
count of their tap-roots, it is generally
best to plant the nuts in the places
where the trees are wanted. As the
trees are all stately and have wide
spreading branches, they should stand
quite distance apart. II they o G
planted III feel that is to be cultivated
while the trees are small, it is desirable
10 locate them where each will occupy
the place OF hill of corn or potatoes.
AS hills of corn are ordinarily four feet
apart. the trees hould stand at dis
lance from each other equal to some
multiple of this number, as twenty-four.
twenJv-eight, or thirty-two feet. The
latter distance is best for the trees after
they become of large size. The trees,
II planted as recommended, will not be
greatly in the way of blowing or cult
waiting when they are small, and after
they become large the land can be
seeded down to grass and used as a
pasture for sheep, pigs. or young cattle.
Nut-bearing trees may also be planted
in pastures, along the sides of fences. or
on the sides Of roads.
A sufficient number of nuts to plant
grove can be obtained with little
trouble or expense. They can often be
collected by travelling 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
till they are planted 1t is altogether
likely that they will germinnate more
readily if they are not allowed to be-
come dry, but it is not likely that their
vitality is destroyed or even greatly inn
paired by their becoming dry. OF
course they should not be allowed to
lecome moldy as the mold would be
likely to destroy the germ. Much has
also been written about the necessity
of exposing the nuts to the action OF
frost SO that the two parts of the shell
shall be opened before tie 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
wild and cultivated state in portions
of the South where there is not suf-
fic.ent degree OF cold to form ice
Many tropical countries, like Brazil,
produce great variety of nut-bearing
trees. and there is. of course, no frost
to aid in opening the shells OF the nuts.
What is known as the English walnut
is a native of Persia, country in
which frosts do not occur. Old prac-
tees are often followed for centuries
for the reason that no one ascertains by
experiment whether they are necessary
or not. If it can be demonstrated by
experiment that thoroughly dried nuts
win terminate and that freezing is I'M
necessary much greater number will
be planted. Many now neglect to plant
them because they can not obtain them
in the condition they think they should
be to insure termination.
All the trees mentioned are desirable
for atiording shade as well as for pur-
poses of ornamentation. 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
trees will force themselves through very
hard soil, but they viii extend fur her
and afford more nutriment to support
the trees If the ground is rendered soft.
1t is advisable to cavate quite hole
where the tree is to stand and to loosen
the subsoil at the bottom of it with an
iron bar to the distance of several feet.
This will afford chance for the tap
root to tend. The hole should be
filed with forest leaves, well-rotted
manure and fine soil. 1t is well to plant
several nuts in the same place and to
select for raising the sprout that gives
the greatest promise at the end of the
first or second season. Strong 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 well worked or covered
with mulch.
There may be little profit in nuts that
can be computed in dollars and cents,
though they may ten be sold to good
advantage TO persons who wish them for
planting or eating purposes. They
add, however, much to the enjoyment
OF life. Nuts are promotive of socia-
bility and pleasure. A few nut-shells
thrown on an open fire will cause the
room to be filed with delightful odor
while they make cheerful blaze.
When home grown they furnish cheap
Injuries that farmers can hardly afford
to do without Nuts have long been
associated with pleasant conversation.
In one of the sweetest songs of Tennyson
an old man is represented as addressing
bis wife in these words;
" so sweet Il seems 10 thee to talk,
And once again 10 woe thee mine;
IT'S like the after-d inner talk
Across the Waluuts and the wine"