Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-03
DeSIRABlLlTY OF NUT CULTURE.
frank N. Bartram Recommends II to Farmers
Who Wish TO Increase Their Income.

FRANK NJ. Bartram of Parry. n. j..
save lecture before the Massachu-
sets horticultural Society. recently. on
Nuts and Nut Culture" Mr. Bartraln
said, in part:
IN 1874 the United States imported
more than s., 200. 600 worth of nuts. and
When we consider that most of this
Was Tor kinds that may be easily raised
Nitnn our own borders, il does MOI
speak Well for our boosted enterprise.
II seems inconSruous To say so mucn
Oh opening up and fostering markets
abroad for the agricultural products of
the United States when we ignore the
expenditure of our own people going to
foreign purses. 1t is the variety of
nuts that enter most largely int
nited States commerce and consump-
ton that we will consider here-those
whose culture has already become a
reality in some parts of the country.
me industry is comparatively young:
1t is scarcely 80 years since nut culture
assumed commercial Importance The
almond and Persian walnut in Cali
fornia, and the pecan in the South. are
IN the advance of the movement. Much
interest IS taken in chrstnuts through
out the Atlantic states.
The claims of desirability Of nut cul-
ture are numerous. Trucking requires
ground of great fertility and suitable
FOR high culture: nut trees are not faS-
tidious. and hillsides are often thei.
home. Truck must be planted annual
~. while a nut orchard might almost
sing with Tennyson. Men may come
and men may go. but ] go on forever"
Nuts are not perishable they may be
stored and marketed at ones pleasure
or need. They are a concentrated
product. lessening the proportion IF
freight charges. Not requiring con
slant and detailed attention. they will
appeal to the large planter, While ON
the other hand, these virtues will sug-
gest nut culture as a side issue for on
many farms land is found, now I'M
remuneratiVe, admirably suited to nut
trees. especially hill sides, and here TIM
foreSter's attention will be arrested,
We are aware of the benefits of forests
principally in modorating extremes of
flood or drought, and many kinds of nut
trees are adapted 10 forest planting. and
their timber is highly esteemed. for ex-
ample. oak, beech, chestnut, hickory.
walnut, and even the hazel bush tinds
place as a pioneer in soils too barren for
other trees. and by rapidly adding organic
matter III the abuhdant crop OF leaves
prepares the way for the more valuable
timber trees.
| The ornamental value OF certain nut
trees Is - far beyond question fhat
thou@ntrSSneSS anG custom alone must
be held responsible for deprlVing us az so
much possible enjoyment of beautiful
trees. The area about many suburban
homes is limited; why not plant chest
nut or hickory instead 81 choice trees
which bear only leaves. and get tree
OF good appearances whose fruit VIII re
source of continual pleasure - young ana
old.
foremost III acreage. Nai0e ana ease oil
bud propagation, among American-groWn
nuts, IS the aIfnond ana American
grown ALMONDS are foremost m the
WofIu as IesaraS nasor, o'iiiorl'i' Is 'ile
''i%tl, .ltr' y, Pr ,, 49,, t,, por,i,
-ISA. ~ wv 1;t,'';i'' 81 ''' ~ r
reitad tha naIna in Enpland and in
| ,,nnr;oa az. LII - Tho tnmlisb 1v,1n,t
though the appropriate appcIlation Per-
si,n VA IN, -. heean1inq more common
Tn rirb ,,oist ,5a1Ia~s Of Southern cali
| fornia with steady SUNNY of water have
| claimed a monopoly of this crop. The Sc
| lection Of varieties whose buds start late
| in the spring is increasing the area for
| profitable planting Of TINS walnut. The
trees begin profitable bearing at the age
of nine or ten years, and no one knows
| how long they continue to do SO There
| are several distinct strains grown, some
Of which are of French origin. The Chile
walnut comes from South America, and
| has three divisions to the shell instead of
the usual two of European strains. Out
side California the Persian walnut is
rare, except along the ATLANTIC coast
between New jersey and Carolina 1t
may be found as far north as Massachu-
sets, where its statellness' beauty free
dom from disease and insect pests, heart
| lily recommend it as an ornamental tree,
and its product will be much enjoyed at
home. Disappointment has often result
ed from lack of pollen caused by lack
Of simultaneous blooming Of pistillate and
stamina,e flowers; q remedy for this will
be found in the planting together of
suitable varieties.
| The Pacific coast black walnut is very
Draroc;ous in Pbiladelphia. where an
| = .t,,ot tree bore fftv nuts, though no