276 On the Cultivation and 



some palates. The azarola, service, and two or three others 

 used in the south of Europe, are not worth notice here. 



Of the Filbert. — The common wild hazle of our hedges 

 has been improved, by chance or cultivation, into the several 

 varieties of red and white filberds and cob-nuts. Working 

 them upon the hazle, or upon themselves, is necessary ; be- 

 cause, it not only makes them more fruitful, but also brings 

 them sooner into bearing. 



Of the Walnut. — This nuciferous tree has been cultivated 

 in England more for the value of the timber than for its fruit. 

 Its fine flavoured nut is, however, an agreeable addition to the 

 dessert, and is often preferred to more luscious articles. With 

 wine, it is not only a suitable accompaniment, but also affords 

 a kind of amusement in extracting the kernel. There are 

 several varieties, differing chiefly in the size of the nut, from 

 the diminutive ben-nut, to the large or double French sort. 

 The only improvement which can be expected in this, is a 

 hardier sort which would be less susceptible of damage from 

 frost. 



Of the Chestnut. — The description of the walnut may be 

 applied to this, as they are natives of the same climate ; and 

 their flowers are alike impatient of frost. The fruit of this is, 

 however, inferior to that of the walnut, and seldom arrives at 

 the same degree of perfection. The tree grows to a great size, 

 and is one of the most valuable of our forest trees. In '* days 

 of yore," it must have been much more plentiful in this coun- 

 try, or more plentifully imported, than it now is ; as the prin- 

 cipal timbers of abbeys, cathedrals, and other ancient build- 

 ings, are chiefly formed of it : being equally durable as the 

 oak, which it so much resembles, that they can hardly be dis- 

 tinguished from each other, but by the test of the wet edge of 

 a chissel being stained by the oak, and not at all by the chest- 

 nut. Arborists have suggested the possibility of procuring 

 from this, as well as from its congener the beech, larger fruit, 

 by sowing only the largest kinds of nuts which can be se- 

 lected. 



Of the Melon and Cucumber. — These exotic fruits are 

 extensively cultivated ; the latter takes various shapes in our 



