Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 41st Annual Meeting Part 5

The Persian Walnut Contest of 1949 attracted 31 entries from a.s.sociation members. The following sent nut samples: E. W. Lemke (Michigan) (4), Ray McKinster (Ohio) (1), S. Shessler (Ohio) (2), F. S. Hill (N. Y.) (3), R.

C. Lorenz (Ohio) (1), Benton and Smith Nut Tree Nursery (N. Y.) (16), A.

S. Colby (Illinois) (2), E. M. Shelton (Ohio) (1), and N. W. Fateley (Indiana) (1). The Contest Committee appreciates their interest in this informal contest.

It was not practical for all of the judges to convene at one place to evaluate the samples. Therefore, the following system was used: One nut from each sample was sent to H. F. Stoke (Va.), Gilbert Becker (Michigan), G. J. Korn (Michigan), and J. C. McDaniel. These four judges were asked to select the best five of the 31 entries. The Chairman then made the final selections based on their findings. Therefore, the samples were actually subjected to five evaluations. The results indicate that this method was very satisfactory.

First place went to the sample submitted by Ray McKinster, Columbus, Ohio., It is significant that four of the five judges selected this sample as the best entry. Mr. McKinster reports that his tree is a Carpathian obtained as seed from the Wisconsin Horticultural Society in 1939. The 11 year old tree has a circ.u.mference of 26 inches at the base and has withstood 17 degrees below zero without injury. It began bearing in 1944 and yielded approximately one-half bushel in 1949. The yield is an estimate since squirrels play havoc with the crop. The nuts weighed 12.9 grams with 6.8 grams of kernel. Four judges considered this an outstanding Carpathian.

Second place went to a sample submitted by Sylvester Shessler, Genoa, Ohio. Three judges selected this sample for second place, one placed it first and the other selected it for third place. Again it was significant that the judges were in close agreement. The parent tree is growing in Clay Center, Ohio, and is estimated to be 50 years old. It began bearing in 1920. It yielded an estimated two bushels in 1947, three pecks in 1948, and one bushel in 1949. It has withstood 15 degrees below zero without damage. The source of this seedling is unknown. The nut weighed 8.8. grams with 5.2 grams of kernel. The nut is round with a smooth sh.e.l.l and has a very attractive kernel. This selection has been named ~Hansen~.

Third place, after some disagreement, also went to Mr. Shessler for his entry now named ~Jacobs~. This sample received one vote for second place and one for third place. Two judges agreed on another sample for third place but in a comparative test involving more nuts the Jacobs sample was selected. The nut weighed 12.8 grams with 6.0 grams of kernel. The parent Jacobs tree is located in Elmore, Ohio, and is estimated to be 70 years old. Bearing since 1915, it yielded an estimated 300 pounds in 1947, 100 pounds in 1948, and 200 pounds in 1949. The tree has withstood 15 degrees below zero. The seed which produced this tree came from Germany.

Fourth and fifth places were awarded to samples S-66 and S-XD submitted by Benton and Smith Nut Tree Nurseries, Millerton, N. Y. Three judges selected these two entries for fourth and fifth places while the other two judges selected other entries. S-66 weighed 13.3 grams with 6.2 grams of kernel. S-XD weighed 12.6 grams with 7.1 grams of kernel. Both selections were raised from Carpathian walnuts obtained from the Wisconsin Horticultural Society in 1935. The nuts entered in the contest came from 9-year old grafted trees located at the Wa.s.saic State School, Wa.s.saic, N. Y. They began bearing a few nuts at six years of age. Both have withstood 34 degrees below zero.

In addition to the five prize winners other entries are worthy of mention. Four additional Benton, and Smith selections (S-61, S-25, S-9, S-32), selection Illinois 10 from Dr. Colby, and a sample from Mr.

Lorenz were all considered in the first five by at least one judge. The Carpathian sample from N. W. Fateley was outstanding for size of nut and kernel. Unfortunately, the kernels were shriveled. Since this sample arrived late all of the judges did not have an opportunity to evaluate it. Mr. Lemke also entered a very large Persian walnut. It was considered for third place by two judges but was discarded in the final judging because of shriveled kernels. Both of these large selections should be tested further.

It must be borne in mind that in this, as in all similar contests, only nut characteristics of one year's crop could be evaluated. Whether these selections are adapted to our varying conditions will have to be determined. In other words, this contest should be considered as a preliminary exploration and not as a final selection of suitable varieties.

Following is a summary table containing data on the prize winners:

Results of Persian Walnut Contest

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nut Kernel Kernel Rank Entry Name and Address Weight Weight Per- centage -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 No. 1 Ray McKinster, 1632 S. 4th St., Columbus 7, Ohio 12.9 6.8 52.7 2 Hansen S. M. Shessler, RFD, Genoa, Ohio 8.8 5.2 59.6 3 Jacobs S. M. Shessler, RFD, Genoa, Ohio 12.8 6.0 46.8 4 S-66 Benton & Smith Nut Tree Nursery, Rt. 2, Millerton, New York 5 S-XD Benton & Smith Nut Tree Nursery, Rt. 2, Millerton, New York 15.6 7.1 45.8 --------------------------------------------------------------------------

To obtain information on the culture of hardy Persian walnut a questionnaire was sent to members known to have experience with ~Juglans regia~. The following information, based on the reports of thirteen growers, should prove valuable to those interested in testing Persian walnut.

The members contacted are testing 35 named varieties in addition to many seedlings. Of the varieties, Broadview appears to be represented in more plantings than any other variety. Gilbert Becker (Michigan) has most of the named Crath selections in addition to seedlings. H. F. Stoke (Virginia) has a large a.s.sortment of Crath and other Persian varieties.

Fayette Etter (Pennsylvania) reports that he has approximately 150 Persian walnut trees while Royal Oakes (Illinois), Sylvester Shessler, and Gilbert Becker each report 60 trees. Many others have from 25 to 40 grafts or trees while Ray McKinster has only one seedling Carpathian which took top honors in the contest. Most of these members have been testing Persian varieties for more than 13 years. Mr. Stoke has some trees 20 years old.

~Yields~--Most trees reported on began bearing at five to eight years.

Topworked trees start bearing several years sooner. It is generally agreed that Persian varieties bear annually. Many trees are bearing only small nut crops. Lack of pollination is given as a reason for these low yields. In addition, winter injury and spring frosts can seriously reduce nut crops. Apparently, none of the trees have borne more than a bushel of nuts at 12 years of age. Accurate records of nut crops were generally lacking. Since this is a very important factor in the selection of varieties, growers should keep accurate yield records for each variety. Where pests are a factor in reducing final yield, a crop estimate should be made early in the season.

~Varieties~--Mr. Stoke considers Bedford, Broadview and Lancaster best under his conditions. Mr. Becker's choice is McDermid but he thinks Crath No. 1 a potential commercial variety. Mr. Oakes likes Crath No. 1 and Ill. No. 3. Mr. Etter lists Burtner and Alleman as his best varieties. Mr. Fateley especially favors one tree because of nut and bearing qualities. Other growers have not as yet evaluated their varieties.

~Hardiness~--Only several growers in the colder regions felt that lack of winter hardiness was a serious limiting factor with their varieties.

Those with winter temperatures ranging from 10 to 23 degrees below zero report little damage. Spring frosts are serious to many, especially in the southern states.

~Pests~--Several insects causing damage to Persian walnut were reported.

The b.u.t.ternut curculio was most frequently mentioned. Others included leaf hoppers, tent caterpillars, and husk maggots. Few effective control measures have been developed. Squirrels are an ever present threat to nut crops in some localities, as are blackbirds.

~Cultural Practices~--Most growers apply varying amounts of fertilizer or manure to their trees in some form or other. Few mulch their trees. All do some pruning, mainly of a corrective nature.

~Pollination~--Most growers agree that usually, but not always, pistillate flowers are produced several years before the occurrence of catkins.

Generally, Persian varieties do not adequately pollinate themselves but exceptions are reported. The problem is one of variable dichogamy. Some varieties shed pollen before pistillate flowers are receptive; others shed pollen when pistillate flowers are no longer receptive. This unfortunate situation probably explains the low yields experienced by some growers. Mr. Stoke lists the flowering dates of 13 varieties in the 1942 NNGA Annual Report which clearly ill.u.s.trates dichogamy in Persian walnut.

Some varieties are considered sufficiently self-pollinating to produce at least light crops. However, this may be influenced by weather conditions. During an unusually warm spring catkins develop more rapidly than terminal growth containing the pistillate flowers. Mr. Stoke reports that ~Bedford~ produces both flowers simultaneously and that ~Caesar~ is practically self-pollinating. Mr. Etter finds ~Burtner~ fully self-pollinating and ~Alleman~ partially. Mr. McKinster's tree is apparently self-pollinating.

To overcome dichogamy it is necessary to have varieties which pollinate one another. Again Mr. Stoke's list referred to above is useful in selecting varieties for cross-pollination. Mr. Becker finds that ~Crath No. 1~ and ~Carpathian D~ pollinate each other under his conditions.

More information on the pollination of Persian varieties is definitely needed. Members are urged to record the flowering date of their varieties. Such information will be very helpful in variety selection.

~Handling the Nut Crop~--The nuts are harvested and dried promptly.

Methods of drying vary. Some have drying screens in which the nuts are placed several layers deep. Some dry the nuts in the sun; others prefer a shady place. Following drying, the nuts are stored in a cool place.

At least one grower has enough walnuts to sell locally; others feel that local markets would take all they could produce. Many of the growers sell the nuts for seed purposes. Of course, all have a supply for home use.

~Future Prospects~--Growers see good prospects for Persian walnut in most of their respective regions if improved varieties are developed. Many growers are planning to increase the size of their plantings with promising varieties. Others would like more trees but lack the necessary s.p.a.ce.

The 1949 contest uncovered several very promising selections. The 1950 National Contest should produce many more.

(Applause.)

DR. MacDANIELS: I believe, Mr. Chase, your second paper has to do with the 1950 Carpathian walnut contest, which is just a matter of explanation, I take it, as to what is going to happen.

Plans for the 1950 Carpathian Walnut Contest

SPENCER CHASE, Norris, Tenn.

MR. CHASE: The 1950 contest plans have not been fully formulated. Our main problem will be one of advertising. Our good secretary has agreed to help out on that. Mr. Sherman and Dr. Anthony have agreed to help out in their region. I was successful in getting Mr. Neal of the ~Southern Agriculturist~ to promise to give us a little Southern publicity on contest.

MR. McDANIEL: I wrote him; also wrote Mr. Niven of the ~Progressive Farmer~ at Memphis and Chet Randolph with the ~Prairie Farmer~ at Chicago.

MR. CHASE: As I say, we plan on handling it the same as we did the 1949 contest. It will be simply the submission of entries. We may want to consider the method of judging a little further.

The problem of prize money needs to be resolved, how much the a.s.sociation is going to offer--feels that they could stand to offer--for first, second, or how many prizes we are going to have. That's about all that we have to report now concerning the contest. But we do need, before we can proceed too far, some commitment on prize money. Last year we did not offer prizes simply because it was for the members.h.i.+p, and there has been some question whether prizes are necessary. Of course, it wasn't necessary from the a.s.sociation standpoint, but it probably will stimulate some others not in the a.s.sociation to submit samples from their trees.

Do any of the contest committee or members have any suggestions? We'd be very happy to have them.

DR. MacDANIELS: Will this include all Persian walnuts?

MR. CHASE: That was another problem that came up the last time, and we talked about it as being a Carpathian contest, and we decided, who can tell a Carpathian from another Persian, and we decided to make it a Persian walnut contest.

DR. MacDANIELS: No Persian walnut will be refused?

MR. CHASE: Yes, sir.

DR. MacDANIELS: Should they be sent to you?

MR. CHASE: Yes.

DR. MacDANIELS: Mr. Spencer Chase at Norris.

MR. CHASE: Then, shall we exclude the Northwestern states?

MR. McDANIEL: Last year we limited it to those trees which stood at least zero temperature. That would eliminate most of California, at least.