Locations For Additional Groves

Much is heard, in a general way, of necessary climate and soil

conditions for walnut culture, some giving preference to the hillsides,

others to valley lands; some contending for a deep, rich loam, others

for sandy soil. But a careful examination of the soils of Oregon and the

trees now bearing thereon produces convincing evidence that almost any

deep, rich, well-drained, western Oregon soil--and some in eastern

Oregon--not underlaid by hardpan, will insure a good harvest, providing

the right varieties are planted. The whole question resolves itself into

a matter of intelligent choice of trees to suit varying conditions.



For example, the famous Prince grove is producing magnificent crops on

soil decidedly clayey; but the place is thoroughly cultivated and

careful selection has been made of hardy trees, the Mayette being

preferred.



Another young grove is proving that walnuts do well on clayey hill land

of buckshot nature, where the drainage is good and there is no rock or

hardpan.



In contrast with the hill land, young groves are making admirable growth

on the rich loam about Aurora and McMinnville.



Mr. Henry Hewitt, of Portland, has fine, young seedlings on a hillside,

elevation 1,000 feet, that made four feet of growth in one season.



In the neighborhood of all these groves, there are hardy, bearing trees

that amply foreshadow the future of the larger plantings. Colonel Henry

Dosch, the pioneer walnut grower of Oregon, who has experimented rather

thoroughly, even goes so far as to claim that rocky soil is not

objectionable, providing there is no hardpan.



In this, as in all other horticultural pursuits, naturally the richer

soils are best; but the industrious horticulturist, by cultivation,

fertilization, and proper care, can produce a fairly good grove on

unfavorable lands. However, so much of Oregon is favorable by nature

that growers will hardly undertake to enrich the few less desirable

areas for a good many years to come. Land that on the Atlantic slope

would be seized readily enough, in Oregon is passed by, as there is

still so much untouched that nature has made ideal. Years hence growers

accustomed to the less fertile conditions of the far east will

undoubtedly turn their attention to even the few poorer areas in Oregon,

and make of them glowing garden spots.



It is a simple matter to determine the presence of hardpan; you have but

to make a series of tests--four or five to the acre--with a plumber's

auger; and this care should be taken in every area where soil conditions

have not been fully determined.