WALNUT-GROWING.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10738, 1 September 1913, Page 2

WALNUT-GROWING.

A RETURN OF £3OO PER ACRE. Mr Allen, tl;o chief fruit expert of New South Wales, while abroad, ia going to make special inquiries into fue opportunity for an oversea trade in walnuts from the btata. They thrive remarkably well ia qnue a number of localities here, and there is no reason why a profitable industry 'should not be built rip. Last vear over nine thousand tons of walmiis were produced m California alone, principally. .in the Santa Barbara and Ventura districts. Many types of soil are fitted __tor walnut-growing, but toe terse uocs best in fairly heavy, deep, well drained louui, uno.etlaid v/d-i* ho t v/y subsoil that must be pervious to moisture. Well drained clay loam, however, and sandy or evan.gravelJ y soils, where plenty of moisture is obtained, should grow the nuts to perfection. Ju selecting varieties growers should make a point getting those sorts which resist blight best, high quality of kernel, with a perfect' sealing of - union between the halves of the shell. They should also be the early bearing varieties and, of course, productive. Before planting out, the soil should be thoroughly prepared by deep ploughing and repeated harrowing, auci the trees should be planted at least SO feet apart, as they rapidlv attain considerable size, and man} 7 tiees will tnodnee anything up to oODlbs weight of nuts per annum. As compared with citrus trees, walnuts are sablaot to few diseases the chief of which is blight. This disease, however, does not oiten occur. except in damp, foggy localities, besides which there are” varieties which are blight-proof. Full bearing groves should return the grower in tins State anvthing up to £2OO per acre. There is'ai'vavs a good demand for the nut both in the Commonwealth and abroad.