Daniels, L. H. Is it possible to devise a satisfactory judging
schedule for black walnuts? No. Nut Growers Assn. Proc. 30: 24-27. 1939.

3. Kline, L. V., and S. B. Chase. Compilation of data on nut weight and
kernel percentage of black walnut selections. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. Proc.
38: 166-174. 1941.

4. Kline, L. V. A method of evaluating the nuts of black walnut
varieties. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. Proc. 41: 136-144. 1942.

5. Lounsberry, C. C. Measurements of walnuts of United States. No. Nut
Growers Assn. Proc. 31: 162-167. 1940.

6. Drake, N. F. Judging black walnuts. No. Nut Growers Assn. Proc. 22:
130-137. 1931.

7. Drake, N. F. Black walnut varieties. No. Nut Growers' Assn. Proc. 26:
66-71. 1935. Nut Growers Assn. Proc. 30: 81-83. 1939.

Shelling Black Walnuts

_By G. J. KORN, Berrien Springs, Michigan_

The methods used in the shelling of black walnuts by one of the
commercial growers in southeastern Pennsylvania may be of interest to
some of our NNGA members. For the last three seasons I have helped this
grower with the harvesting and shelling of his crop. The Thomas variety
predominated in his 40-acre nut orchard. This variety is truly a very
outstanding nut when properly grown. The Thomas is large, cracks well,
its kernels may be readily removed in large pieces, mostly quarters, and
they are of excellent flavor and color.

Care in selecting the orchard site, soils, methods of cultivation,
fertilizing and spraying appear to be of prime importance in the
production of high quality nuts. The matters I shall speak of in this
article, however, will have to do mostly with the harvesting, husking,
curing and cracking of the walnuts and picking their kernels.

When the walnut husks may be easily dented with the thumb they are ready
to gather. This is usually about October 5 in that locality. The
harvesting is begun immediately, as the kernels will become somewhat
damaged as to flavor and color if the husks are allowed to darken and
decompose. When the nuts have ripened they do not remain in prime
condition for harvesting for more than about 10 to 15 days. By this time
the husks will have begun to decompose and darken the kernels. Just as
soon as the nuts are ripe they are shaken from the trees. The nuts are
gathered into bushel baskets and hauled in a pick-up truck to the
husker. One of the old cannon type corn shellers, once quite common in
Pennsylvania, is used to husk the nuts. A farm tractor furnishes