in such a location, and it is the heaviest loaded nut tree I
have. It has so many large nuts on its limbs that its lower limbs are
actually resting upon the ground. This was grafted upon an established
black seedling four years ago.

What I have so far told would lead one to think that there is no nut
crop on my Persian grafts this year. This is not so, for I have one of
the largest crops in the 13 years I have had grafted Persian walnuts.
These are on top-worked trees high above the ground! Most of the
top-worked trees are over 12 feet at the graft, or higher, and it is
best to have them this high, because almost all lower limbs are simply
minus nuts, due to our unfavorable spring. As for proof, I noticed that
the lower limbs had blackened leaves, while the entire tops were
undamaged a few days after the frosty weather. The lower branches leaved
out the second time in late May. It seems as if the Persian walnut
produces two nuts to every one that a grafted black walnut will on a top
of equal size. We are troubled with walnut curculio as well as
considerably by squirrels, and by a leaf disorder that often blackens
the leaves and causes them to fall in early September, followed by
premature dropping of the nuts. Even then, there should be a good crop
this year.

Now, comes the question, should we graft the Persian walnut high, here
in Michigan? It certainly saves time, because a middle-aged walnut tree
produces, in terms of pecks and bushels, in eight to 15 years. Being
well established it saves patience and disappointment. And I know it is
far more profitable.

This writing of my experience is not intended to hurt the established
nut tree nurseryman in any way. Any of you who may live in Michigan are
certainly devoted to your hobby and have doubtless learned the skills
and pleasures of top-working a good sized seedling black walnut. You
will surely find it profitable. First, purchase the grafted Persian tree
from your nurseryman, and later, from this, work your established
seedling blacks at your convenience. Graft them at least 12 feet up and
see if what I say isn't quite true.

Pecan Growing in Western Illinois

By R. B. Best, Eldred, Illinois

We need a consistent philosophy in this troubled world of ours. Working
with nature and especially with nut trees helps us to develop this
philosophy and to realize that there are no panaceas for our present day
problems except as we work them out ourselves. Aft