GRUNDY—The Grundy black walnut originated with a thrifty young seedling owned by Mr. John Rohwer, Grundy Center, Iowa. It was brought to light in 1927, when it received first prize in a private contest conducted by Prof. N. F. Drake, Fayetteville, Ark., and by him given the temporary designation of "Iowa."
According to President F. H. Frey of the Northern Nut Growers Association, in a statement appearing in the Proceedings for 1932 (p. 158), Mr. Rohwer exhibited this variety during the Missouri State Fair of 1928 and was given first prize. The same year, according to this statement, the Grundy was awarded second prize during the meeting of the Mid-West Horticultural Show held in Cedar Rapids. In the opinion of Mr. Frey, the Grundy is superior to Rohwer in flavor of kernel and its equal in cracking quality. An entry of Grundy made in the 1929 contest of the Association was awarded fifth prize.
Little is known of the bearing habits of this variety, although Mr. D. C. Snyder, the surviving member of Snyder Bros., Inc., of Center Point, wrote to Washington on July 31, 1933, that he was "afraid" that both this variety and Rohwer might not prove to be "reliable bearers."
An opinion of Ex-President of the Association, C. F. Walker, expressed July 16, 1933, by letter to the writer, was to the effect that the Grundy walnut was "fair" only.
Three pounds of the 1931 Grundy walnuts tested by the Department at Washington yielded 27.74 per cent quarters, 1.57 per cent bad, and 2.35 per cent small pieces, making a total of 31.66 per cent kernel. The nuts averaged 35 per pound and had a range of from 28 to 36. The cracking quality was very good, the kernels bright, plump, rich in quality and of agreeable flavor.
Considering the good points in favor of this variety, even though its latitude of origin is somewhat below that of the south Michigan border, it would seem that until worthier nuts are found, this should be included in test plantings of the northernmost zone.
HARRIS—The Harris walnut first became known to the department in December of 1924, when Mr. Howard Harris, R. F. D. 7, Allegan, Mich., owner of the original tree, submitted specimens for examination. The feature which attracted immediate attention was the superior cracking quality, due to the largeness and openness of its kernel chambers. The kernels were not as plump as might have been desired, but this is assumed to have been due to the light, sandy soil where the parent tree grows.
In examining specimens of the 1927 crop, Dr. Deming noted that the nuts were "small, clean," the shell "thick," the cracking quality "good to perfect," and the kernel "not plump, light (in weight) and texture hard." He placed the flavor at "fair to sweet," yet felt that the variety should be given further consideration. Many of the kernels of the nuts which he examined, like those from this tree during most years, were "shrunken."
Two pounds of the 1930 crop tested in Washington yielded 10.91 per cent of quarters, 3.30 per cent of bad kernels, and 4.41 per cent of small pieces, making a total of but 18.63 per cent.
This is a much lower rating than that of any other variety included in this list, and were it not for the superiority of its cracking quality and the latitude of its origin, it would hardly now be included. However, it should probably be included in all test plantings in the northernmost zone, especially if breeding is contemplated. The soil where this original tree stands is of a light, sandy nature. Allowance for this should be made in evaluating the merits of the variety.