A person who has a few Japan walnut trees in connection with some other business, very kindly offered to sell us some nuts, and these are all we have been able to purchase so far. There are but very few nuts that we would attempt to try. We wish to find some of the very best of filberts or hazelnuts, that we shall probably cultivate in bush form. We are interested in the _hardy_, hard shell almonds. Do you think we could do anything with them? I _think_ they do not have to be grafted. Do you know of any species of English walnut or Madeira nut, that are perfectly hardy, and come into bearing early, that would serve our purpose?
I know we are asking quite a favor, for strangers, but if you will kindly assist us a little, we will thank you very much.
BROADWAY METHODIST CHURCH, FARGO, N. D., November 10, 1914.
I saw your statement in the _Southern Planter_ this morning and am writing, not to tell you where choice nut-specimens are to be obtained but to ask a few questions relative to the obtaining the _best_ information possible to the growing of nuts. I have a ten-acre tract about twelve miles straight south of Staunton, Va. When I purchased the tract the chestnut and hickory were thriving. I have had about one half of the property cleared and some trees planted. Among the trees are twelve hardy English walnuts from Green's Nursery, Rochester, N. Y., 6 "Mayo" and 6 "Pomeroy" walnuts from Glen Brothers, Rochester, N. Y. I am interested in nut-culture. I have inquired of Glen Brothers if the Kentish Cob would thrive there. They assure me it will. If there is a chance to make a success of nuts, I would turn my time and thought to the raising of walnuts and Kentish cobs and filberts. What would you advise? If you cannot give me the desired information, kindly give me directions to the one who can. I was brought up among the walnuts and filberts and cob-nuts in the County of Kent, England, and now my thoughts are turning to the delights of earlier days and I intend coming to the Shenandoah Valley in the near future and making my home there....
It gives me great pleasure to reply as well as I am able to your letter of November 10th. You are in the position of many thoughtful men of the present day in craving the peace and delight of a life that is nearer to nature. You have also a small tract of land in a favored part of our country, and you have been led to believe, by the statements that you have run across in chance sources, that the returns from nut growing may enable you to attain your ambition.