. Numerous wild animals, including squirrels,
deer, rabbits, raccoons, and others fed on the native chestnut. It was
such an important staple in the diet of many animals that its passing is
one of the most devastating blows to befall the wildlife of this
continent. In order to compensate for the loss of the chestnut, and at
the same time restore some of the food and cover destroyed through
pasturing of woodlots, and the removal of fencerow cover in clean
farming, the Division of Conservation instituted its popular tree and
shrub unit planting project four years ago. In this program, units of
100 or 200 pine trees and shrubs for food and cover are distributed free
of charge to farmers who will plant them as suggested and protect them
from fire, grazing, and cultivation. American hazelnut was extensively
used in this project during the first two years. Since then we have been
unable to obtain seedling plants in the large quantities that are
needed.

The Division also has several other wildlife restoration projects in
which the nut trees are utilized. These are a farm pond project, a small
wildlife refuge program, and a fencerow cover restoration proposition.
In the pond development program, a farmer is assisted in impounding a
small body of water, from which livestock is fenced, if he will agree to
permit hunting on a portion of his farm. The pond margins are seeded to
a grass mixture to prevent soil erosion and silting, and several hundred
trees and shrubs having value as wildlife food and cover are planted in
the area. The land immediately surrounding the pond becomes a wildlife
refuge where no hunting is permitted. Many Asiatic chestnuts have been
planted on these sites, in addition to American hazelnuts, and
considerable seed spotting with black walnuts has been accomplished.

In the small refuge plan, areas are selected, developed for wildlife by
planting and other management measures, and are then closed to hunting
for a period of years. Many hazelnuts, butternuts, some hickorynuts,
walnuts and Asiatic chestnuts have been used in this work. Our own field
men plant the seedlings or assist the landowner in planting them, then
give advice on the culture of the plants.

In the third undertaking, which is research to determine the best
methods of restoring or developing fencerow food and cover strips;
nearly a thousand hazelnut hybrids have been planted. Among these
hybrids are: Barcelona x European Globe, avellana x I