The Nut Tree in the Middle West

Abstract

<p>The early pioneer of the Middlewest appreciated the value of the nut trees which grew abundantly along the river bottoms. In his tiny sod hut, riding at anchor in a sea of bil1owing prairie, he knew that the stored bushels of black walnuts and hickories would nourish him when the bitter lash of a prairie winter drove the wallowing herds of bison toward the southland. The years rolled by and the oncoming hosts of civilization fenced the prairie. The sod hut gave way to modern farm homes, and the nut trees were cut to furnish pasturage for steer and hog. At that time the fat hog and steer were considered the prime source of fat and protein, but today a tremendously increasing population brings us to realize that the day is not far hence when the nut tree will assert itself as a more efficient producer of fat than its animal competitor. But the farmer is not particularly concerned with the problems of future generations. He wishes to know the status of the nut tree today.</p>