Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-25
Typical Facts About South
ern California Farms.
Mr.. L. G. Cummings on the Wal
nut and it's Culture.
Wonderful Returns from a Nineteen
Acre Ranch.
A Practical Paper on the English wal
put-HOw to Cure them-Apricots.
Underground Oranges--The
Olive-Notes.

In that valuable magazine, Science and
Horticulture, Mr.. L. @. Cummings has
the following to say of the walnut:
The walnut is a genus of beautiful
trees Of the natural order Juglandacea,
named Juglans from Jovis, the heather
god, and CLANS, nut The two most
widely known of the North American
species are Juglans nigra (the black
walnut) and Juglans cinerea (the butter
nut. But the variety to which we
wish to call particular notice, and which
is attracting attention among fruit
growers in Southern California, is Jug
lans regia, the common English walnut
or Madeira nut. 1t is classed among
the hardy deciduous trees, and is ma
tive OF Persia. 1t was introduced into
England in 1862, thence distributed over
considerable portion of the globe,
wherever the climate and soil is suit
able. 1t is lofty tree with large spread
ing branches. Its foliage resembles
that of the ash, and the leaves give
forth fine balsamic odor when bruised.
BY bruising and rubbing on the skin
itch. Placed in wardrobes they prevent
the ravages of moths. An excellent
pickle and kind of ketchup are made
from the unripe fruit. Just before they
are ripe they are much used in France
with vinegar, salt, pepper and shallots.
Walnut oil Is commercial product of
Persia and some parts of France, but
has attained no proportions in this
country. The timber of all kinds of
walnuts is very valuable, that OF the
black walnut sometimes bringing fabu-
lous prices.
In California the English walnut is
planted in orchard form for the purpose
of raising nuts for the market, and the
tree also has special value for shade and
great many streets and avenues are
lined with this magnificent tree.
Where shade is needed during the
summer and sunlight in winter this tree
is found always satisfactory. 1t makes
a asplendid growth in California and has
been known to have a spread of sixty
feet in less than twenty years. The
English walnut has proved very profta-
BILE along the coast in this state, but at
the same time great many fine groves
in the interior give promise OF heavy
yields. 1t does best where deep, rich,
ulOlSb dllN lOdIuy SOll Is W Oo lOuuu, UuI
is doing very we'll in this climate where
the soil is less favorable. Where water
is to be had and irrigation is carried on
splendid walnuts can be raised on any
OF the foothills and uplands, but moist
ure must be had, and dry and neglect
ed place will not do for the walnut.
The trees are propagated from the
seed, which usually come true, being
first planted about a foot apart in the
nursery row. (The month of January
is best for planting) When the seed
lings are one year old they may be trans
planted into orchard form, and should
be set from forty to sixty feet apart each
way. Some orchardists advocate leav-
ing the walnut tree in the nursery row
until it attains the age of three to five
years, but experience will soon show
the fallacy of this operation. On the
other hand if the seed is planted in
orchard form and the Seeding never
molested, better results will undoubted
ly be attained.
Some experimenting has been done at
different times in the way of grating
and budding the walnut and the result
has we'll repaid the trouble, as several
new varieties have been secured that
are improvements on the old sort. One
new variety that has come into prom
inent notice is Ford's improved soft
shell, which, without doubt, has more
excellent qualities than any other. The
kernel is Of excellent flavor, firm, and
always fills the shell we'll, and is good
keeper as well as good shipper. OF
other varieties we quote from Wickson's
California Fruits:
Common English Walnuts.- is
tho ordiporu EpOlinh uo1put of ann
merce and is considered very desirable
for its shipping qualities, being medium
hard shelled. The tree is not as reliable
bearer as the newer sorts and for that
reason is not as widely planted as some
others.
Santa Barbara Soft Shell.-The soft
shell is a little later starting in the
spring than the common nut, and blooms
about ten days later. 1t fruits at from
four to six years from seed, and usually
produces full crop every year.
This variety is not as strong grower
as the common walnut, and more trees
can be placed to the acre, and more nuts
can be produced. The kernel is white
and very fine. The shells are thin and
break very easily but cannot be shipped
any reasonable distance without damage.
Preparturiens or Dwarf Proli6c.-A
choice French variety that has proved
itself to be worthy of cultivation in Cali
fornia. 1t is not truly what its name
implies, not being regular dwarf nor
such an early bearer, but the fruit IS
excellent, and always in demand.
Persian Walnut or Kaghaze.-It is
much larger than the ordinary kind and
thin shelled. The tree is late in bloom
ing and therefore is especially good for
places that are in danger of frosts.
The walnut tree is usually headed at
a height of six to eight feet, and requires
considerable attention in the way OF
forming head for the first three or
four years. The tree is naturally OF
spreading habit but ifit is trimmed with
an upward tendency more strength can
be secured.
CURING ENGLISH WALNUTS.
Mr.. Davis, OF Orange, gives the fol-
lowing method OF producing superfne
English walnuts:
When the nuts were ripe they were
shaken or iarred from the trees and