New-York tribune., 1896-10-04

land at less cost than those which now are I'm,
ported from the Continent In New-York state and
New:Jersey the English walnus have , neen n,v sue
eTsy &c G VI ees @ IN nsrgfn sag have oSe SesS
yielding good annual crop ever since
ADVANTAGES OF NUT-GROwING.
Nut-growing has many advantages over fruit cult.
ure and farmers who have entered 1t are enthls-
astic in their attitude. They feel safe from the un-
danger of over-production for many years TO
come. The pioneers in the industry VINO have
assured of steady market for all their products for
ten or more years at remuneratve prices: How long
this favorable condition of affairs will last after
that depends upon the number who start into the
business. At present good many nut trees are
the timber If a farmer is going to plant trees for
timber he prefers TO select those that bear nuts,
for he can then secure an incidental crop from
Nut trees also proof against drouths and risks
scarcely understand. for his crops are ali raised
through ncessant labor in protecting his trees from
their insect enemies, and the growers must look out
for them. or like the fruit-growers. they will find
the hickory. chestnut. pecan and even the nj:
bert. and the mstletoe will kill the walnut trees
the insects that attack the common fruits
A few years our annual crop of nuts was har-
vested mainly from the wild trees found growing In
tieds and the impressions OF :nuttng days in
early autumn are still fresh i'm the memory. when
down T' the 6urrs before the squirrels could carry
them away to their winter storehouses. But all this
is so changed now that one must go into one OF the
cultivated groves In order TO understand modern
methods of nutting. II the trees raised exclu-
sively their they present very picturesque
sight. The grove has the regularity OF an orange
or apple orchard The walnut, hickory chestnut
and pecan planted about thirty-six 10
forty-two feet apart, AMI the almonds and flberts
are situated far apart that the grove looks de-
serted and barren. and other crops are planted be-
tween the nut trees to help fill up space. Ordinary
peach trees can be planted between the nut trees,
and they will produce their crops year AFTER year
and pass their prime before the nut trees Will need
the room. The peach trees are then dug up and
the old grove of nutbearing trees Will present the
full beauty and utility of their prime Between the
long rows OF noble trees the scarcely SHINES
at all. thick and dense is the shade. and boughs
woods hang dow several feet with their heavy load
OF magnificent specimens of nuts. In this grove OF
nut the farmer finds the greatest pleasure or
his declining years. 1t gives him little or no trouble
All through the summer season ne watches the nuts
ripen and occasionally fights the weevtl but other
wise no labor is demanded Of him until the nuts are
ripe for harvesting. Then he goes into the orchard
with ladders and bags The boughs are snaken 10
knock of the ripest nuts and then the work or pick
ing begins The trees too precious 10 ne injured
by ndiscrminate clubbing. The farmer knows tnal
an important source Of his income would be cut or
by breaking branches and he watches the pickers
with the careful jealousy OF a fruit-grower. Inc
nuts are picked by the aid OF ladders and deposited
into sacks slung oyer the shoulders or the work.
men. The chestnut burrs are clipped on with q
the tree. where the nuts pried out or tneir IN
closure. When there Is no particular hurry 10 mar
ket the chestnuts. Jack Frost Ia permitted 10 open
the burrs and when the nuts fall TO the grouho
they gathered up.
THE PEST OF SQUIRRELS.