re the walnut tree seems to make its best growth. It has
been our experience that the better nuts come from upland trees. Those
produced in the bottomlands along the larger streams lack the rich
flavor typical of those coming from higher elevations. This means we get
our best nuts from the Ozarks in northern Arkansas and southern
Missouri. So far, few walnut trees are grown commercially. Practically
all of the nuts come from wild trees. But recently there seems to be a
trend toward planting grafted walnut trees and grafting native seedlings
to improved varieties. The nurseries in this area now have walnut
seedlings for sale and some landowners are setting out considerable
acreages. It seems like a good investment. The trees grow fast, bear
nuts at an early age, and eventually yield additional income in the form
of logs. We believe walnut offers better prospects for commercial
production than pecan, owing mainly to the value of the walnut wood for
cabinet uses.

Not much has been done here with improved varieties. There are some
Thomas trees in the region and they yield very well. You get about 20
pounds of kernels from 100 pounds of hulled Thomas nuts as against an
average of 12 pounds from our wild native nuts. We anticipate that
within three or four years the Thomas will attain commercial importance
here. In my opinion, however, _Thomas kernels do not have the flavor
that the wild nuts have_; the percentage of oil seems to be less. I have
also been told that wood from the Thomas trees has little value in the
furniture trade. Why this should be true, or whether it is true, I don't
know.

Shells are a problem with us as they are with most concerns in the
walnut cracking business. We sent some samples to Iowa State College for
testing and got a pretty favorable report. If available in sufficient
quantity, the shells apparently can be used for gas production, oils and
for other purposes.

Walnut in this region has few enemies; but one, the walnut _Datana_
caterpillar, does considerable damage. We need federal or state aid in
controlling this dangerous pest.

Further Notes on Nut Tree Guards for Pasture Plantings

OLIVER D. DILLER, project Supervisor, Hillculture Research, Soil
Conservation Service, Wooster, Ohio

In an article entitled, "Nut Trees for Ohio Pastures," which appeared in
the 37th annual report of the Northern Nut Growers Association[32], the
writer called attention to the advantages of nut tre