shipped to
the cities from the natural black walnut belt. Although this seedling
product has been somewhat improved in quality the last few years I still
feel that the demand for this high flavored nut for home use, in
confections and baking and ice cream making, will make a high demand for
an improved and uniform meat such as can be produced with the grafted
trees. With the growing interest in natural foods, and less animal meat,
I believe the demand will increase as our groves come into bearing.

In 1926 I hazarded a planting of 150 trees, the next year I was steamed
up to the place where I decided I should plant more, and then each year
following, until my last planting this year, gives me one thousand
thrifty growing black walnuts, mostly Thomas variety which I think is
the best from what I have observed in my own grove.

In planting I set the first ones 50 x 50 ft. Some thought it was too
close but I couldn't see it.

The next planting I made 50 x 50 feet and then at the next planting I
started to wake up after seeing how rapidly the first ones were growing,
and I decided to make them 60 x 60 feet. The last planting I made this
year 60 x 60 feet and I would advise 60 x 70 feet to any one who asks me
how far apart to plant.

To me it seems queer just why more people don't plant them. On the basis
of 60 x 70 feet you could farm indefinitely, with the tree crop coming
on and even bearing for many years, while you are contenting your heart
growing annual crops to lose money on.

As to bearing, two years ago I had the older planting and many of the
younger trees loaded. One five year Thomas had about 400 nuts. Three to
five year trees had 50 to 250 and 300 nuts. My crop that year was
fourteen bushels which I sold for 15c per lb or $5.00 and $6.00 per
bushel. Last year I didn't have so many but this year I first said I
would have 50 bushels. I'm starting to believe now I was a little high
in my guess but many trees are nicely loaded.

Now regarding cost of carrying the grove, as I'm a sweet corn drier I
have the most of my farm in corn. I farmed the grove in corn the first
five years and hardly missed the space used for trees. I proved what I
stated above that one can plant trees and keep on farming and hardly
miss the tree space. If planted 70 feet apart one can farm still more
land. In cultivating the corn the trees are cultivated, which cuts down
the extra cost of caring for them, although of course one must cu