DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 223 



chief botanical distinction consisting; in the coverins[ to 

 the nut, or husk ; which in the hickories separates into 

 four valves, or pieces, when ripe, instead of adhering in a 

 homogeneous coat, as upon the Black walnut and butter- 

 nut. In size and appearance, the hickories rank with the 

 first class of forest trees ; most of them g-rowins 

 vigorously to the height of 60 or 80 feet, with fine straight 

 trunks, well balanced and ample heads, and handsome, 

 lively, pinnated foliage. When confined among other 

 trees in the forest, they shoot up 50 or 60 feet without 

 branches ; but when standing singly, they expand into a 

 fine head near the ground and produce a noble, lofty 

 pyramid of foliage, rather rounded at the top. They have 

 all the qualities which are necessary to constitute fine, 

 graceful park trees, and are justly entitled to a place in 

 every considerable plantation. 



The most ornamental species are the Shellbark hickory, 

 the Pignut, and the Pecan-nut. The former and the latter 

 produce delicious nuts, and are highly worthy of 

 cultivation for their fruit alone ; while all of them assume 

 very handsome shapes during every stage of their growth, 

 and ultimately become noble trees. Varieties of the 

 vShellbark hickory are sometimes seen producing nuts oi 

 twice or thrice the ordinary size ; and we have not the 

 least doubt that the fruit might be so improved in size and 

 delicacy of flavor by careful cultivation, as greatly to 

 .surpass the European walnut, for the table. This result 

 will probably be attained by planting the nuts of the finest 

 varieties found in our woods, in rich moist soil, kept in 

 high cultivation ; as all improved varieties of fruit have 

 been produced in this way, and not, as many suppose, by 

 cultivating the original species. These remarks also 



