The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1918-12-13
THE BLACK WALNUT TREE

NANet N'tftafte ~ "t"af'H SUI et'Nh~
and aeroplane propellers. because Of
iis great resistance 10 warping and
splitting. As the result Of the cut
ting Of so many trees TO meet this
demand for war purposes, the sup
ply Of the black walnut has rapidly
diminished all over lis range In the
United States.
Aside from being valuable for war
and other commercial purposes. the
tree yields durable wood which can
be used for posts, and for many
other purposes on the farm, the
nuts themselves may be eaten or fed
10 swine. In New Mexico, the black
walnut tree could be used Us a shade
tree, and In some parts Of the State,
II could he grown as a hardy stock
on which 10 graft the english wal
nut. %(Juglar rigial. Considering all
Of these valuable points, why not
plant black walnut trees In New Mex
leo instead Of tho many other kinds
of shade or timber trees that are
planted every Year,
Formerly. in New Mexico, the ma
tive black walnut lJuglar RUPEES
trcsl. was found growing In large
numbers, usually in the canyons Of
the mountains in a number Of the
counties. Probably the reason why
these native trees are found grow
ing mostly In the canyons is because
they can get the necessary moisture
To terminate the seed and keep the
tree growing. Unfortunately. these
large groves Of black walnut trees
have been cut down too promiscu-
ously.
The distribution Of the black wal
nut. as we'll as the other deciduous
trees in New Mexico, depends TO a
large degree upon the moisture
factor. but where irrigation can be-
practiced. there is no reason why the
black walnut should not he grown.
as II seems TO be perfectly hardy;
aud in fact. Il should receive prefer
ence to some Of the other shade
trees that r being planted every
year.
There were a number Of black
walnut trees planted In 1891 on the
stations Farm. These trees were
planted on very heavy adobe soil,
and are at present about 30 feet high
by a 10 foot spread, and they have
out-liyed many other trees which
were planted at the same time on
the same kind OF soil. In the winter
Of 1914 a number OF nuts from
these trees were stratified. and
when sprouted in the spring Of 1911
were planted out in nursery rows on
very sandy soil. The young trees
made a growth varying from two "a
three feet In height during the seas
on Of i9iA They were p%refectly
hardy. and withstood the winter
temperatures Of 1914 and 1915
During the season Of 1915, the trees
made an excellent growth, varying
from six TO ten feet In height.
Considering the long-lasting quail
tiles Of the wood, and the many
other good points Of the tree, II
makes the black walnut a most de-
sirable tree TO plant on the farm
along fence lines, on irrigation ditch
rs and home grounds. They could
also he planted on small rough and
other waste pieces Of land where
the soil is suitable, and where there
Is water for irrigation: Like all
other deciduous trees In New
Mexico, the best results are obtain
ed, other conditions remaining
favorable, when they can be irri-
gated.
The black walnut tree al be
started either by planting the nuts
where the tree is TO grow, or by
transplanting the Seeding trees. To