owever, rose sharply with the
harvest of the 1946 crop which was unexpectedly large. Annual production
may continue to increase since the number of trees of bearing age is
likely to become appreciably greater each year. Nursery planting is
likely to be proportionately greater. The extent of future planting will
doubtless be correspondingly influenced.

Present enthusiasm over the Chinese chestnut is very great and it is
possible extensive planting may soon take place. It is believed,
however, that this would be unwise from an economic point of view. There
are many uncertainties in connection with the industry in its present
state of development, and, not improbably there will be keen competition
in the market with imported chestnuts from both Europe and Asia as soon
as international relations become normal.

Bearing Record of the Hemming Chinese Chestnut Orchard

By E. Sam Hemming, Easton, Maryland

Our Chinese chestnut trees have aroused such interest that we are sure
the readers of the Proceedings will wish to hear of the large crop
harvested in 1946. A year ago an unseasonal spring brought a frost that
killed back the six inches of soft new growth. As a result, the 1945
crop amounted to less than 250 pounds. This year the 18 trees produced
1138 pounds, 938 by actual weighing and 200 estimated. This is an
average of 63 pounds per tree, with the largest crop of 124 pounds on
No. 19, and the smallest on No. 14 of 22 pounds.

These trees are now 18 years old and were unfortunately planted too
close. But using a spacing of 30 feet x 30 feet, they would have borne
3000 pounds per acre and if planted 40 feet x 40 feet would have borne
1600 pounds per acre. Figure this crop at 25c a pound and you would get
a really high return. This year the price was much better than that, but
we planted the crop.

The tree record was as follows: Number 1--38; Number 2--25; Number
3--30; Number 4--52; Number 5--44; Number 6--30; Number 7--42; Number
8--40; Number 9--45; Number 10--58; Number 11--56; Number 12--48; Number
13--58; Number 14--22; Number 15--50; Number 16--80; Number 18--86;
Number 19--124; Total of 938 + 200 (estimated) = 1138.

It is also worthy of note, that No. 19 is spaced 30 feet from No. 18 and
No. 16 is the same distance from No. 18, while all the other trees are
spaced 16 feet apart. An acre of trees like No's. 16, 18 and 19, spaced
30 feet apart, would average 96 pounds per tree or 4200 pounds per acre,