Part 42 (1/2)

Dear Mr Becker:

I have heard that not long ago you sent out a questionnaire relative to nut growing and grafting. Perhaps you would like to include the work which has been going on at the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station since 1918.

When this study was started, we had no information to give to many who came to us with questions on nut growing possibilities in this state. At no time have we attempted to promote commercial development as the interest here seems to be almost wholly amateur.

Our first efforts, begun in 1918, were designed to test kinds and varieties which could be grown in Minnesota. Black walnut varieties such as Thomas, Ohio, Ten Eyck, Stabler and Miller were planted at University Farm. Also sweet chestnuts Boone, Rochester, Cooper, Paragon, Fuller and Progress were set out. Hickory varieties and hybrids planted in 1918 and 1919 were Kirtland, Weiker, Stanley, Siers, Hales and McCallister. We planted a few trees of the Franquette Persian walnut, the Indiana, Niblack and Posey pecans and a few filberts such as Minnas Zellernuss, Daviana, and Large Globe. Some seedling trees of the s.h.a.gbark hickory also were set out in 1918 and 1919.

To supplement this test somewhat similar collections were sent to cooperators in what seemed to be favorable locations.

We had the usual difficulty in establis.h.i.+ng these trees and winter temperature eliminated all the pecans, sweet chestnuts, Persian, walnuts and filberts. Some of the seedling hickories survived and have grown vigorously but after thirty-two years have borne no nuts.

Since 1939 cooperative work has been under way with Professor R. E.

Hodgson at the Southeast Experiment Station, Waseca. Efforts there mainly have been to establish varieties of black walnut and hickory by grafting. Black walnut and hickory varieties have been grafted also at the Fruit Breeding Farm, Excelsior.

The accompanying record is taken from a report for the Experiment Station in 1949. It should tell you in brief the status of our investigations at present.

Very truly yours, W. G. BRIERLEY

University of Minnesota Department of Agriculture Division of Horticulture

Nature and Extent of Work Done this Year

All black walnut and hickory trees made fairly satisfactory growth in 1948 in spite of deficient rainfall. The ”Gideon Seedling Hickories”

(~Carya laciniosa~) planted in 1945 have become established at Waseca, Rochester, Lakeville, Mound and at the Fruit Breeding Farm.

Attempts to establish nut varieties by top-working on seedling trees again met with poor success. At Waseca 5 of 14 hickory grafts and 4 of 25 black walnut grafts grew. At the Fruit Breeding Farm only 6 of 33 hickory grafts grew. In this case, the poor results were due in large part to use of an asphalt grafting compound which injured the callus tissue at the union. Better than usual success was obtained with black walnuts as 19 of 37 grafts grew.

As in previous seasons, the best temperature for storage of scion wood was 34 to 36 degrees F.

Major Results

The best black walnut varieties for Minnesota are Thomas, Ohio, Stambaugh, Smith and Schwartz. Of these Thomas produces the best nuts, but the tree is somewhat straggly in growth. The Ohio produces large nuts of good quality and is by far the best tree in ornamental value. It also is the hardiest of all varieties tested as it has shown no injury during 16 winters. Of lesser value are Ten Eyck which apparently is not fully hardy, and Mintle in which quality is poor here. Varieties which have not shown sufficient merit to warrant recommendation here are Stabler, Monterey, and Clark. Varieties which have not fruited are Allen, Cochrane, Huber, Kraus and Myers.

Practical Application of Results or Public Benefits

Results obtained have been used frequently as basis for recommendations relative to kinds and varieties for planting, and for grafting methods.

Scionwood of the better varieties has been distributed to interested growers.

Progress of Work