ossibilities
of black walnut, especially the improved varieties. Here was a tree that
produced not only valuable nut crops but also cabinet wood without
equal; in addition, it was a desirable pasture shade tree. Black walnut
has long been a favorite among farmers, but few of them had ever heard
of =improved= black walnuts. Along with TVA, the state agricultural
extension services saw the advantages of the improved varieties and were
eager to test them under Valley conditions. And so it was that a
cooperative testing project was developed. TVA produced the trees and
the seven Valley state extension services distributed them to farmers
for test planting.

The Test

The Thomas walnut was used in these test plantings for several reasons.
In the first place, it produces large, rather thin-shelled nuts with
good cracking qualities. Few varieties are more easily cracked with a
hammer or a hand-operated cracking machine. In addition, fast growth is
characteristic of the variety and it should produce merchantable sawlogs
earlier than the common walnut. Despite its northern origin, 5-year-old
plantings at Norris, Tennessee, seemed well adapted to Valley
conditions. No other variety at the time offered as many advantages.

Test planting was begun in Tennessee in 1939 and then it was extended to
the other Valley states as more trees were propagated. For the most
part, planting sites were selected by extension foresters and county
agents. If the tests were successful they would automatically become
demonstrations, so special attention was given those areas where walnut
cracking in the home was an important enterprise. Many of the test
plantings were located in communities that had been organized for the
study and application of improved farming methods. In general, farmers
planted the trees in low, fertile spots not suitable for other uses,
along fences, or in pastures if they could be protected from livestock.

Through 1946, 9,614 trees were planted in 3,286 test plantings. They
were scattered all over the Valley, in 92 of its 125 counties. The
number of trees per planting varied with the availability of good walnut
sites. Generally, there were 2 to 4 trees in each planting.

The Results

Getting survival and performance data on these widely scattered
experimental plantings presented quite a problem. Examination of a few
plantings showed that trees given reasonable care had survived and were
beginning to bear nuts. So in