Summer Meeting. 79 



nous on ridges of blue pitchy soil, or somewhat "hard-pan" creek 

 bottoms. The nut is flattened invariably, and I have seen such 

 that measured from II/2 to 2 inches in breadth and same in length, 

 The kernel is large, meaty and of rich flavor. This variety sells 

 most readily in market and commands highest prices usually. The 

 tree is less vigorous than the small shellbark, being more branchy 

 and inclined to spread. For this and other reasons it has not the 

 same timber value of the former. 



The black hickory has little value, is at least much inferior to 

 the shellbark in nut and timber, hence will find little consideration. 

 It is most prevalent on so-called "Black Jack" lands. The nut of 

 this variety is of about the size of the small shellbark, of charac- 

 teristic elongated form, has a hard shell and small kernel of fair 

 flavor. It is relished by hogs as a winter mast. 



The white, or pig nut, hickory : The nut of this variety has 

 a bitter kernel and is hardly edible. The shell is very thin, hence 

 easily broken. In size it is the smallest of the four kinds here 

 mentioned. Its only value as a nut is as a "winter mast" and is 

 relished by hogs, squirrels, etc., after hard freezing and when 

 there is little else to pick up in the timber land. The sobriquet 

 "pig nut" is probably derived from this characteristic. It is most- 

 ly found on rich, deep upland and generally among other heavy 

 timber growth. The tree grows a straight trunk of some length 

 and has considerable value as timber. 



Walnut : Is it necessary to .^ay anything to Missourians about 

 this highly valuable nut tree? Can its timber value be properly 

 esteemed or estimated? As to its nut fruit, it is so well known to all 

 that little remains to be said. While the nut is not what is called 

 by critics first class, yet I doubt if any other kind will compare in 

 consumption by our people. 



The tree bears abundantly and very seldom fails us with its 

 bountiful supply of nuts. It flourishes on high and low lands, 

 along roadsides, gulches and brooks. The nut is easily gathered 

 and prepared for the market, where I notice it finds steadily in- 

 creasing demand (and, considering the little cost of growing, 

 garnering and preparation), at quite remunerative prices. It is 

 today, and likely will remain so a long time, the most used, and 

 hence relished, nut fruit of the middle west. If we cannot grow 

 the English walnut in Missouri, the black walnut we have without 

 cost almost in all rural sections, and we may indulge and enjoy 

 what bountiful nature provides. 



Butter Nut, or White Walnut : In my "boy days" this nut was 



