to fill well. Another
large tree in eastern Virginia produces many burs but the nuts fail to
develop, indicating self-sterility. The nuts of both trees are rather
coarse and of poor quality.

More recent plantings have been rather widely scattered over the state,
although the total number of trees is not large and no one person has
planted many trees. One large general nursery, serving this area,
reported sales last spring of 196 Chinese seedling trees to thirty-five
different customers. The largest single sale was for fifty trees.
Several customers purchased only one tree each.

+Problems Encountered+

In visiting and corresponding with individuals who are growing Chinese
chestnuts, I have made a few observations, as to problems that have
arisen.

+1. Site and Soil.+ The most successful trees from the standpoint of
growth and production were those growing on fertile, well drained soil
in which moisture was plentiful. The Chinese chestnut tree appears to be
shallow rooted and to require good growing conditions. Dry ridges were
unfavorable for growth, and in bottom land the trees frequently were
subjected to late spring freezing of tender shoots.

2. Blight injury to the trees and weevil damage to the nuts seemed to be
the most serious enemies of chestnuts. Seedlings varied considerably in
their resistance to blight. Some of them showed no indications of
blight; others were damaged but outgrew the injury; and a few trees were
weakened and died.

Weevils appeared to be quite prevalent. One grower reported almost 100%
wormy nuts. It is my understanding that a spray program has been
developed for control of the weevil. Mr. H. F. Stoke of Roanoke believes
that the Illinois No. 31-4 chestnut (a hybrid) is resistant to weevil,
probably because of its thick burs and closely set spines.

+3. Cultural Care.+ Chinese chestnuts benefited from pruning; it being
especially important to cut away the sprouts at the bases of the trunks.
Mowing weeds and brush around the trees seemed helpful. Applications of
nitrate of soda stimulated more rapid growth of young trees, and in
limited amounts benefited the older trees. It appears, however, that
there may be a danger of overstimulation which increases the hazard of
limb breakage by snow and ice, especially in the case of younger trees.
The largest crops of nuts, however, were frequently produced on trees of
only moderate vigor.

+4. Freezing damage to the bark of the trunks and