anting except when they have been given no attention of
any kind. In one planting the trees were planted about 10 feet apart on
the square with the result that they are tall and spindly with nut
production only in the tops and very light on a per tree basis, which
indicates the need of adequate spacing if the trees are to be vigorous
and productive. Incidentally, this close spacing has not resulted in a
desirable timber type of growth.

In two other plantings the trees are planted in cleared areas in
cut-over timber and then given no further attention. In both locations a
few trees are still living but are of no value either for timber or nut
production. In still another planting on a bench about halfway up a
mountain, where infrequent cultivation or mowing is practiced, the trees
are growing and producing moderately well but the nuts are small. A few
other scattered plantings of a few trees each are doing well around
homes though receiving only moderately good care.

The distribution of trees by the U. S. Department of Agriculture in 1935
and 1937 has resulted in a few plantings that have done moderately well.
In one planting the trees are growing fairly well without care but are
producing few nuts. In another planting the trees are planted on rather
heavy soil that is terraced; they are given applications of commercial
fertilizers and infrequent cultivations and have been producing fairly
good crops of nuts in recent years. Still another planting of a
considerable number of trees has been entirely removed through lack of
interest of the new owner. The plantings described have all been on
private property.

Plantings at various experiment stations have received somewhat more
attention in general than those on private property; but because of lack
of keeping quality of the nuts have not for the most part been accepted
as a promising crop and have been the subject of very little study.

From the foregoing observations it is evident that the Chinese chestnut
cannot withstand the effects of crowding either in a solid planting or
in competition with native growth. The trees have performed moderately
well with a minimum of care, but respond to good care by increased
production and nut size. The rotting of the nuts soon after harvest as a
result of improper methods of handling and storage has prevented an
earlier acceptance of the crop as of potential economic importance in
the Southeast.

+Experimental Studies at the