THE BLACK WALNUT. 209 



the leaves of sheep-sorrel, with which they rub the stains 

 from their hands, and after washing in soft water it is 

 found to be entirely removed, if no soap has been used. 

 I am not sure that painters would see much to admire 

 in this tree; but to a native of New England it is so 

 pleasantly associated with juvenile feasts of nuts in the 

 early autumn, gratuitously strewed by the green wayside, 

 and with the simplicity of country life, that it is difficult 

 to see in the form of this tree anything we do not admire. 

 If its foliage is thin, its proportions are handsome and 

 symmetrical, and when in its prime there is no tree that 

 better adorns a rustic enclosure. The Butternut puts 

 forth its leaves about a week earlier than the hickory. 

 It is common in all the New England States, especially 

 on the Green Mountain range, from the northern parts of 

 New Hampshire to the Sound. 



THE BLACK WALNUT. 



The Black "Walnut is common in all the United States 

 below the latitude of Long Island. It is especially abun- 

 dant in Pennsylvania, and is also found singly and in small 

 scattered groups in New England. It is a larger and more 

 hardy and rapid-growing tree than the English walnut, 

 but it bears an inferior fruit. This tree does not .differ 

 from the butternut in general characters, but it is of 

 greater height and more majestic in appearance. It has 

 very long pinnate leaves, of a pure untarnished green and 

 a warmer look than the darker foliage of the hickory. 

 Both trees produce an elegant wood for cabinet-work,, but 

 that of the Black Walnut is preferred, though the wood 

 of the butternut is nearer the color of mahogany. 



