MR. CRAIG: I might say this concerning the California Persian walnuts.
Take one at harvest and plant it, and that seed will germinate
immediately. You hold it in dry storage and plant in the spring and it
will come up in a couple of weeks. I speak from experience.

DR. CRANE: The same thing is true with pecan, in west Texas and Arkansas
and California. We have lots of trouble with pecans germinating. It is
not uncommon to find a pecan germinated with a root as much as ten
inches long grown in the hull. If that nut goes through to maturity and
becomes dry, then there is an appreciable delay in germination. They
won't germinate as quickly. There has got to be a lot of changes in the
kernel after they have once dried out and been harvested before
germination will be initiated again.

DR. McKAY: In connection with this question of germinating nut seeds of
all kinds, we think it is very important to plant the seed in a well
aerated medium. I think that is a mistake many people make. If the soil
happens to be of a clay nature, it keeps out oxygen and air and the
sprout will rot. That is the reason why, when we plant chestnut seed, we
like to plant in sand or the same with any nut seed. Coarse sand has a
lot of air in it. That nut has a high demand for oxygen.

MEMBER: In the matter of chestnut seed, don't put too many layers of
seeds. One is better than two. Even in rather porous soil, they seem to
develop gas. Anyway, I found the bottom ones didn't get enough air and
they rotted, whereas on top they didn't. It is better to plant a single
layer than more.

MR. SHERMAN: What is the best method of treating the chestnut seeds in
the fall to prevent the development of weevils?

DR. McKAY: Of course, there are several ways of treating the nuts for
weevils. One is the old hot water method. All of us can heat water. We
have to heat it to about 120 degrees. So hot, you can't hold your hand
in it. Immerse thirty minutes for an average size nut. Now in connection
with the spoilage and rotting that is another matter. We believe in
harvesting chestnuts promptly, storing them before they dry out. We of
course store our chestnuts in cans. Cans with lids and holes punched at
either end.

MR. O'ROURKE: Are there any other questions pertaining to seeds?

MEMBER: I would like to caution persons outside the weevil belt about
being very careful if you get nuts that may be infested. Leave your nuts
in a small jar and you have the advantage