ich case it is usually necessary
to brace them by tying a stick or branch to the stock and allowing it to
extend for 2 or 3 feet above the point at which the grafting work was
done. The inserted scions are then tied to this support. It is very
important that the grower examine grafts after wind storms in order to
repair damage which may have been done.

Investigations at this station have shown that grafts usually bear fruit
in 4 years after the grafting operation. We receive some fruit,
occasionally, in 3 years after the work is performed. It is also
interesting to note that when seedling walnuts of the same size are
selected, some topworked and others untreated, the grafted trees after 5
years' growth generally grow tops equally as large as the tops of the
ungrafted trees.

The principal improved varieties of black walnut which are being used at
this Station are as follows: Stabler, Ohio, Thomas and Ten Eyck.

(Note by the editor.--The cleft graft described by Prof. Talbert has
been superseded in the East by other methods, chiefly the bark and the
modified cleft grafts).

CARE AND PREPARATION OF NUTS FOR SEED PURPOSES

_By Prof. E. R. Lake, U. S. Department of Agriculture_

A nut is a seed, and a seed, normally, is an embryo plant asleep. To
keep a nut-seed asleep and safely resting against the favorable time
when it may awake, arise and go forth, as a vigorous seedling bent upon
a career of earth conquest, requires no great or unusual attention and
care save that which is necessary to maintain such conditions as will
insure the complete maturing, ripening and curing of the seed, its
protection against the ravages of rodents or other nut-eating animals,
undue moisture and an unfavorably high temperature. In other words
harvest the nuts as soon after they are mature as is possible, insure
their complete curing, store them where they will be kept constantly so
cool that germination cannot take place, and some nuts, as the black
walnut and butternut, may germinate at a temperature just above zero
(centigrade(?) Ed.) and keep them moist enough to prevent undue
hardening of the tissues or enclosing structures (shell), at the same
time prevent them from becoming saturated with moisture and thus
rotting. Summarized, these conditions are: (a) a temperature just too
low for vegetative activity. (b) A moisture content of the nut just
below turgidity. (c) An immunity against ants, rats, mice and squirrels.

_Curi