nia black walnut stock is the tree used in these
plantings. Formerly, seedlings of the so-called second generation type
were quite popular, but when it became evident that seedlings would not
transmit the superior qualities of the parent, that method of
propagation was thrown into the discard. Eight thousand acres of the
acreage now out, are seedling trees that must be topworked before Oregon
will be truly famous for the quality of the nuts it produces. These
seedling trees are paying at present under our present high prices after
many years of barrenness.
My own 900 seedling trees I top-worked last year to the Vrooman
Franquette variety, placing as many as thirty grafts in some trees and
obtained an average of 70 per cent successful grafts. These grafts have
made wonderful growth this season, and are quite capable of bearing
large quantities of nuts next season. My crew of walnut grafters are
becoming well known over a radius of 100 miles, and the work they are
doing is a road to profit for many an owner of unproductive nut trees.
This fall I intend publishing some of the leading articles of the
nut-growing authorities of this section, in conjunction with a catalogue
well illustrated and containing my experience as a nut grower. Anyone
contemplating planting walnuts or filberts may well send in their
reservation of copy. Generally speaking, nut tree nurserymen and nut
tree planters have not had time nor desire to add to the literature on
this subject. I believe that when the nurserymen get behind the move to
plant nut trees there will be some very interesting developments. There
is one good thing in sight, and that is that it will not be the
old-fashioned seedling that they will push this time. I think that you
people of the East have got to make another determined effort to drive
home the impossibility of seedlings ever being satisfactory. Outside the
association a nut tree is a nut tree regardless of seedling and grafted
trees, and one is expected to bear just as many fine large nuts as the
other and just as soon. After losing twenty to thirty thousand dollars
in delayed returns from a seedling walnut orchard, is it any wonder that
I oppose the planting of more seedlings by the unwary?
In concluding this report I wish to state that I have talked nuts before
a score of different meetings during the last year, and in the press of
Oregon and Washington have done much to encourage the prospective
grower."
THE SEC
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