CHESTNUT. C use qnea Americana. This most valuable timber and ornamental tree has a wide range, being found from Maine to Michigan and South. In the States west of Lake Michigan it is not indigenous, neither is it found, we be lieve, unless planted, west of the Mississippi river, either south or north. In the South it is common in the mountain forests. The chestnut requires a dry soil, but is not particular about its being rich. Rocky or dry, sandy or loamy ridges suit it admirably, and in all such situations it will well repay planting anywhere south of Central Iowa. The wood is most valuable for furniture and inside finishing, and the nuts always command a good price in any market. When the trees are large enough: to fell, a new growth immediately springs from the stump, and thus the plantation is renewed. The European variety (C. resea) closely resembles the American, grows to an immense size, and the nuts are nearly the size of black walnuts. It is not hardy north of Washington, D. C., hut in a climate suited to it it is said to bear fruit in seven years from seed. To raise a plantation, prepare the ground by thorough and deep plowing; lay it -off four feet apart, making the furrows so the nuts may he covered three inches; plant in these -drills two feet apart. The second or third year,
according to the growth, remove every other row, and the next year every other plant in the remaining row. Thus they will stand 8x4 feet. When the trees interfere, take out every other plant, and so continue until the trees stand one rod apart. At this 'distance they will make pretty large trees, but if they are to attain their full stature they must at length stand thirty-two feet apart, or even 32x64 feet. This rule will apply to forest tree planting generally. The nuts -of the chestnut must he kept in moist sand, from the time of gathering until planted in the spring. Here again the rule will apply to all nuts, and forest tree seeds. All nuts may be planted in the autumn as soon as gathered, but thus they are liable to he destroyed by mice and other small animals Consequently it is better that they be kept in moist sand until signs of germination are seen. Thus they come up quickly, and much vexation is saved in weeding, as well as loss from the attacks of vermin.