1440 ARBORETUM AND FRU'TICETUM. PARTY 11}. 
them in a day. It grows with equal rapidity, when young, as the J. nigra; 
but the trunk ramifies at a less height; and, the branches extending more hori- 
zontaily than those of most other trees, and spreading widely, a large and flat 
tufted head is formed, which gives the tree, in America, more especially in 
exposed situations, a most remarkable appearance. In Britain, we have 
scarcely seen any old trees; and, never having observed any fruit on the 
few of middle size which we have seen bearing this name, we have always 
been in doubt as to the specific difference between them and J. nigra. 
Geography. Jiglans cinérea is found in Upper and Lower Canada, and in 
the temperate regions of the United States; but not in the lower parts of the 
Carolinas, of Georgia, and of East Florida. It grows vigorously in Vermont, 
where the winter is so rigorous, that sledges are used during four months of 
the year. Michaux has seen no trees of it so large as some in New Jersey, 
on the steep and elevated banks of the Hudson, nearly opposite to the city of 
New York. There the woods are thin, the soil cold, unproductive, and m- 
terspersed with large rocks. In the interstices of the latter, the butter-nut 
may be found 50 ft. high, with trunks measuring 10 ft. or 12 ft. in circum- 
ference at 5ft. from the ground; the roots extending horizontally, close 
under the surface, and with little variation in point of thickness, to the dis- 
tance of 40 ft. from the tree. 
History. J. cinérea appears to have been first sent to Europe in 1699, at 
which period it was cultivated by the Duchess of Beaufort; but whether in 
her garden at Chelsea, or in that at Badminton, we are not aware. It is 
said to have been grown by Miller; but, from his description of it, as having 
only two pairs of leaflets, we think it more likely that the plant he describes 
has been some other species under this name. At present, J. cinérea is not 
unfrequent in British and French nurseries; and nuts are annually imported 
by the seedsmen ; but we know of very few large trees. 
Properties and Uses, The wood of Jiglans cinérea is light, of a reddish 
colour, and of little strength; but it possesses, in common with the wood of 
all the species of the genera of this order, the great advantage of lasting long, 
and of being secure from the annoyance of worms. In America, it is never 
used in towns for the construction of houses; but in the country, in some 
districts, it is used for sleepers and sills in the framework of barns and 
other farm buildings. As it long resists the effects of heat and moisture, it is 
valued for posts and rails, and for watering and feeding-troughs for the use of 
cattle. Being lighter, and less liable to split, than the wood of the red maple, 
it is preferred to it for corn shovels and wooden dishes. Canoes and small 
skiffs are also made of it, and at Windsor, in Vermont, coach panels. The 
medicinal properties of the bark have been proved by several eminent Ame- 
rican physicians. An extract, or a decoction, sweetened with honey, is a sure 
and safe purgative, unattended, even in the most delicate constitutions, with 
pain or irritation. The bark is also applied to cure the toothach, and to 
dye wool of a dark brown colour; though, for this last purpose, it is inferior 
to the bark of J. nigra. If an incision is made in the trunk of the tree, in the 
month which precedes the unfolding of the leaves, a copious discharge of 
slightly sugary sap takes place, from which, by evaporation, an inferior sugar 
is obtained. On the whole, notwithstanding the various properties of this 
tree in the United States, Michaux does not think it sufficiently valuable, 
either in the arts or for fuel, to recommend its introduction into the forests 
of Europe. It should, he says, find a place only in our pleasure-grounds, 
Statistics. Yn the environs of London are some trees bearing this name, in the Chelsea Botanic 
Garden, and at Syon and Purser’s Cross, which are from 30 ft. to 40 ft. high; and in the Horticul- 
tural Society’s Garden there is one which, in 1834, after being 10 years planted, was from 20 ft. to 
25ft. high. In Loddiges’s arboretum, one is 18 {t. high. In France, at Toulon, in the Botanic 
Garden, 40 years planted, it is G0 ft. high ; diameter of the trunk 1 ft. 6 in., and of the head 25ft. In 
Saxony, at Worlitz, 50 years old, it is 40 ft. high; the diameter of the trunk 2ft. In Austria, at 
Vienna, in the park of Laxenburg, 16 years planted, it is 14 ft. high. At Briick on the Leytha, 45 
years planted, it is 54 ft. high; the diameter of the trunk 1 ft. 9in., and of the head 28 ft. In Prussia, 
at Berlin, in the Botanic Garden, 40 years planted, it is 16 ft. high; the diameter of the trunk 
8in. and of the head 6ft. 
