mental purposes I planted apple and peach trees close
up to the walnuts. Whichever won out was to stay. Both are there yet.
There is as yet no sign of the results of toxicity. They stand,
literally, arm in arm.

One success I feel may safely be chalked up. In selecting seed for my
original planting, some were chosen for better nuts, as stated, and some
because of the magnificent growth of the parent trees. One such tree
gave me seedlings that are definitely superior in growth to other trees
which stand in equally good soil--in fact, in adjoining rows. This is
noteworthy.

As for the seed selected for nut quality, because of the three poor
producing seasons now past, the result is not so apparent. I can only
say that, out of some score or more sources, the nuts produced upon such
seedlings as have fruited tend to resemble the qualities of their
parents. They all show some variations. Each nut tree is a new
individual but with a family inheritance strongly enough marked to make
the planting of seedlings, when done in large quantities, from the best
parents, a sort of gamble in which the percentage is in favor of the
gambler--which is, as you should know, unusual.

One utterly complete failure must be noted. I shall never again plant a
black walnut seed or tree in any but good soil. Even the best
inheritance cannot prevail against hardpan or worn-out soil.

I was unfortunate, when I made my first and largest planting of seed, in
not knowing about the Northern Nut Growers Association. So I advertised
for local nuts, paying double for the seed I accepted. So far as the
seed which was selected because of the timber growth of the parent tree
was concerned, I am well satisfied. But nut quality was only fair; far
below the quality of our named varieties. Then, through the fine
missionary work of Harry Weber, I was introduced to the NNGA. All my
replanting since then has been from seed bought from the member's
plantations. Next year I expect some of them to come into bearing.

Most of you are chiefly interested in grafted or budded trees, and this
is as it should be. Where sure results and the best possible nuts are
the aim, one would be utterly foolish to plant a seedling. Upon the
other hand, where plantings are made in great quantities, as is the case
with foresters, state or federal agencies, colleges and other
institutions--and with occasional individuals like myself who find their
greatest interest in this particular e