. Human qualities create both
conditions. Therefore the problem to be tackled is the ignorance,
cupidity or stupidity of those who create such conditions.

This made a profound impression on me. It has influenced my thinking in
all things connected with our renewable resources. Our success in
growing anything, whether it be cotton, corn or nut trees, depends
largely upon ourselves. If we mix three parts of intelligence with one
part of effort, the yield will be manifold.

Much of this intelligence should be of the "green thumb" variety, a
mixture of common sense and keen observation. The one using this kind of
intelligence would plant black walnuts in a deep, rich, well-drained
loam, because he has observed that this species grows best and yields
more heavily in that type of soil. He would plant the trees with top
roots not more than one inch under the surface of the soil because he
has noted that is the way they grow naturally. He would strive to keep
foliage on the tree as long as possible because he knows that the leaves
are the manufacturing part of the tree. Without them the tree could not
grow and would not produce filled nuts. He would do many other things
essential for proper tree growth and yield.

But unfortunately several of the farm nut tree plantings I have seen
show a woeful lack of "green thumb" intelligence. I recall one in
particular because of the condition of both the trees and the owner. The
planting originally consisted of twenty Chinese chestnuts, fifteen named
black walnuts, four hicans and four Persian walnuts. The owner
originally was an enthusiastic convert to nut growing. Today the
planting is a failure, while the owner is an irate backslider who would
not plant another nut tree even though it bore ten dollar bills. Four
years after planting, nineteen of the twenty chestnuts, all hican, three
Persian walnuts and ten black walnuts were dead. Of the remaining seven
trees only one could be called healthy. Examination soon focused the
picture. Most of the trees had been planted on an eroded hillside
deficient in humus. In addition, many of them were planted from three to
ten inches too deep. The only thriving walnut was planted at the proper
depth and in a pocket of top soil at the base of the slope. Under
questioning, the owner said that he had purposely planted them deep to
"keep their roots cool." That is a widely held horticultural fallacy
which is unconsciously fostered by many nurseryman.