Crane and Orrin, Two New Chinese Chestnut Varieties Released by the United States Department of Agriculture

Abstract

Two new Chinese chestnut varieties named 'Crane' and 'Orrin' were released for propagation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on February 8, 1963. These varieties are being introduced at a time when interest is low in planting grafted trees of horticultural chestnut varieties. Nurseries sell only chestnut seedlings because they are cheaper to grow and grafted trees have given trouble with graft union failure in a few cases. The history of all nut industries has shown that the growing of seedlings preceded the planting of grafted horticultural varieties for nut production. Chestnut production will undoubtedly pass through this same evolution before the industry becomes stabilized. The new varieties 'Crane' and 'Orrin' should contribute towards development in this direction.