3. Bixby, W. G. Judging nuts. N.N.G.A. Rept. 10: 122-133, 1919. 4. ----. The 1929 contests and the method of testing used. N.N.G.A. Rept. 22: 42-63, 1931. 5. Drake, N. F. Judging black walnuts. N.N.G.A. Rept. 22: 130-137, 1931. 6. ----. Black walnut varieties. N.N.G.A. Rept. 26: 66-71, 1935. 7. Kline, L. V., and S. B. Chase. Compilation of data on nut weight and kernel percentage of black walnut selections. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. Proc. 38: 166-174, 1941. 8. Kline, L. V. A method of evaluating the nuts of black walnut varieties. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. Proc. 41: 136-144, 1942. 9. Lounsberry, C. C. Measurements of walnuts of United States. N.N.G.A. Rept. 31: 162-127, 1940 10. MacDaniels, L. H. Report of committee on varieties and judging standards. N.N.G.A. Rept. 28: 20-23, 1937. 11. ----. Is it possible to devise a satisfactory judging schedule for black walnuts? N.N.G.A. Rept. 30: 24-27, 1939. 12. ----, and J. E. Wilde. Further tests with black walnut varieties. N.N.G.A. Rept. 34: 64-82, 1943. Test Plantings of Thomas Black Walnut in the Tennessee Valley SPENCER B. CHASE, Tennessee Valley Authority Native black walnut occurs abundantly throughout most of the Tennessee Valley. Practically every farmer has at least one "favorite tree" and each fall he collects nuts from that tree and stores them for cracking during the winter. In some sections of the Valley walnut cracking in the home is of considerable importance. Each year, some million and a quarter pounds of kernels are cracked out at the five modern cracking plants located in or adjacent to the Valley. Utilization of the crop is becoming more and more complete. In early studies of native nut trees, TVA recognized the possibilities of black walnut, especially the improved varieties. Here was a tree that produced not only valuable nut crops but also cabinet wood without equal; in addition, it was a desirable pasture shade tree. Black walnut has long been a favorite among farmers, but few of them had ever heard of =improved= black walnuts. Along with TVA, the state agricultural extension services saw the advantages of the improved varieties and were eager to test them under Valley conditions. And so it was that a cooperative testing project was developed. TVA produced the trees and the seven Valley state extension services distributed them to farmers for test planting. The Test The Thomas walnut was used in these test plantings for several reasons. In the first place, it produces large, rather thin-shelled nuts with good cracking qualities. Few varieties are more easily cracked with a hammer or a hand-operated cracking machine. In addition, fast growth is characteristic of the variety and it should produce merchantable sawlogs earlier than the common walnut. Despite its northern origin, 5-year-old plantings at Norris, Tennessee, seemed well adapted to Valley conditions. No other variety at the time offered as many advantages.