ed of cross-pollination is unknown to
me. Reliable is the smallest of the four, of high quality and a steady
bearer of moderate crops. Pollination requirements not known. (The
original Zimmerman sent me by Dr. Zimmerman was worthless. The present
Zimmerman, furnished me by Dr. Smith, is a satisfactory nut.)
_Japanese chestnut._ Austin is the best of the lot.
_Hybrid chestnut._ One of Dr. Colby's hybrids is promising but has not
been released and should not be listed without his permission. The
hybrid I have been selling as Stoke is a better nut than any of the
Japs, including Austin. A moderate producer of moderate crops of
beautiful, high quality nuts ripening the first of September. The
Government's S8 Van Fleet hybrid is a very prolific hybrid of rather
poor quality. It should be satisfactory for people who cook their
chestnuts. Mr. C. A. Reed should be consulted before listing. S8 will
outyield any chestnut I know of. Tree is less vigorous than Stoke and
more subject to blight.
_Black walnut._ Homeland, Creitz, Mintle, Thomas. Homeland is a local
nut and is unknown to the trade. It makes a poor test score, partly
because of its pointed shape, partly because of the plumpness and
tenderness of the kernel. It fills out much better than Thomas growing
beside it: bears moderate crops every year, both on the parent and on
grafted trees. It is a nice, upright, healthy grower; new growth tinged
with purple. I consider quality first class. Creitz bears regularly and
well; nuts very like Ohio but husks thin and it cleans much better.
Kernels apt to be shrivelled somewhat. Mintle good bearer, plumper than
Creitz, pellicle somewhat off color. Thomas does not fill so well,
especially if given much nitrogen, which Homeland will stand. Stabler
worthless here.
_English walnut._ Bedford, Lancaster, Payne, Franquette. Bedford is a
local nut found on an abandoned farm in Bedford County, Va. A regular
bearer of high quality nuts of the Mayette type. Blossoms late, a little
before Mayette and Franquette. The only one of fifteen varieties that I
have fruited that can be depended on to pollinize itself; medium size,
well sealed, cures well, no bitterness to pellicle, no "sticktite" nor
moldy nuts. Lancaster, very large, very vigorous tree, precocious,
prolific, quality of nuts good but not best; staminate blossoms early,
pistillate late. Requires a pollinizer. Franquette, Mayette and Bedford
should answer. Payne will not stand win
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