FOREST TREES. 



193 



The name of the Genus is derived from the (ireek words Jo7'is 

 ,i:;laiis, or the Nut of Jupiter. The next in importance of this valuable 

 tribe is the 



Butternut. — Jitglaus cincrea^ (L.) 



Like the Black Walnut, this is a handsome, spreading tree, though 

 not generally so tall. It takes a wider range to the Eastward and 

 Northward, growing freely in open lands, in colder and more exposed 

 situations, fruiting abundantly. All these trees are great feeders, and 

 indicate good soil ; but this species may also be found occasionally, on 

 poor, rocky soil sending its large roots to a distance wherever it can 

 find nourishment for the support of the large trunk and wide-spreading 

 branches, which require a great deal of space, light and air for their 

 development. In height the Butternut seldom exceeds 80 to too feet, 

 and from 24 to 30 inches in diameter. The wood is valuable, but not 

 so highly prized as the Black Walnut ; it is used in panelling, for 

 furniture, and carved work. The Indians make buttef troughs, kneading 

 troughs, spoons, ladles, and such small household articles from the 

 wood. The bark is grey and rugged, and deeply furrowed when old. 

 The foliage, like that of the Walnut, is aromatic, and pointed ; but of a 

 lighter green in colour ; the young bark is clammy, as also the buds, 

 while a clear, gummy liquor exudes from the fleshy green husk that 

 contains the nut. The shell of the Butternut is divided into long ridges ; 

 the kernel is dry, sweet and edible, but not so nice as the fruit of the 

 Hickory. An excellent warm, brown dye for wool and woollen goods 

 is extracted from the bark ; the process is simple, merely steeping the 

 bark in water till the colouring matter is extracted is sufficient ; the 

 material to be dyed is then immersed and left to absorb the dye : the 

 goods should be moved occasionally. This is one of the staple house- 

 hold dyes of the country people, who use it for yarns, stockings and 

 home-spun cloth. The Butternut also possesses some valuable 

 medicinal qualities. 



As a shade tree on lawns or in meadows, it forms a handsome object. 

 The young nuts are also used for Pickles, in the same way as those of 

 the Walnut. The wood of the Butter-nut is hard but brittle — it makes 

 good fire-wood, but is now considered too valuable for other purposes 

 to be put to such a use. Another species is frequently found in damp 

 woods known as 



The Bh'TER-nut Hickorn. — Carya aiiiara, (Nutt.) 



Known by the bitterness of the nut and darker wood. 

 The leaflets are from seven to eleven, dark-green, smooth, serrate 

 at the edges ; the husk of the roundish, thin-shelled fruit, is somewhat 



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