Best Stock On Which To Graft

Mr. Burbank, Judge Leib, and George C. Payne, all of California, think

the California black or some of its hybrids make the best stock in

California. Mr. Groner prefers the hybrid for Oregon.



Mr. A. McGill, of Oregon, thinks that neither the California black nor

its hybrid are suited to this climate. Few have had more experience,

costly experience at that, than Mr. McGill. He thinks the American black

better for Oregon.



It is sometimes asked, why not plant seedling walnuts and top work those

that are not good bearers? Because the grafts will not do so well on the

English stock as on the black; and it is also found that the English

stock does not make as good a foundation as the black.



Therefore, the best growers in Oregon conclude that the seed from a

thrifty American Black, or close hybrid, is best for this state. In

three or four years after planting cut off the trunk about as high as a

man's waist or shoulder and put in the graft from the best variety

available. The third year from setting of the graft you will have a crop

of nuts.



Mr. Payne can set 250 to 300 grafts in a day. His wages are $8 a day,

and he furnishes the wood. So you see that your trees would cost very

little. Good black walnut seed can be had very cheap, probably at a cost

of 50 cents to $1 per bushel, the Oregon product preferred.



Some of the California hybrids make rapid growth, but too rapid growth

of wood may not be desirable. It may mean early maturity and early

decay, and too few walnut bearing boughs.