k. Even when cattle guards were used they were
generally too small or weak for tree protection. Severe livestock damage
resulting in poor growth and eventual death of trees was encountered
frequently. We are inclined to believe that livestock accounted for a
much higher percent of tree mortality than that reported in this survey.

The high percent return of questionnaires in this survey, followed by a
field check in a sample area, provides a good picture of Valley-wide
plantings. Since survival was found to be lower in plantings which did
not return questionnaires, an actual overall survival of 64 percent may
be slightly high. Other spot checks in the field will give more
information on this point.

Discussion

Interest in improved black walnut is mounting in the Valley. As the test
plantings came into bearing farmers were quick to see the superiority of
these nuts over the wild ones to which they had been accustomed. Word
spread from farm to farm, and as a result there has been an increasingly
large number of inquiries about sources of improved varieties and
cultural treatments. The interest was reflected in the questionnaire
survey. Nineteen percent of the questionnaires returned contained
unsolicited comments of one kind or another. A large percentage of them
showed evidence of interest such as: "the nuts are large and easy to
crack," "where can I get more grafted trees?" Only 7 percent implied
disinterest: "the trees are slow growing," "the nuts are faulty."

This test-planting project will be completed in 1948. The plantings have
already yielded much valuable information on the Thomas variety; they
will yield much more as the trees become older. Further studies are
planned on nut yield, nut quality, and tree growth in relation to the
varying conditions existing in the Tennessee Valley.

Summary

Farmers in the seven Tennessee Valley states established 3,286 test
plantings of Thomas black walnut in cooperation with state extension
services and TVA during the period 1939-1946. A questionnaire survey in
1946 showed 81 per cent of the plantings still active and 64 percent of
the trees living. Tree growth averaged 1.6 feet per year. Age at first
bearing varied from 2 to 8 years, with 5 years most frequently reported.

[Illustration: Figure 1. The Thomas variety appears well adapted to
Tennessee conditions. This 7-year-old tree began bearing annual crops 3
years after planting. In 1946 it was 18 feet tall and